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Introduction
Expressing probability is a common occurrence in English. Whether in everyday conversation, professional settings, or academic discourse, the ability to convey the likelihood of events or situations is essential for effective communication.
Understanding and using the appropriate phrases to express probability accurately can significantly enhance one’s clarity and precision in conveying ideas.
In this article, we will explore various phrases and expressions that help you in expressing probability effectively.
What is Meant by Expressing Probability?
Expressing probability means communicating how likely something is to happen or how certain you are about a statement.
For example, saying “It’s likely to rain tomorrow” implies there’s a good chance of rain, while “There’s a slight chance I’ll be late” suggests a lower probability of lateness.
What is the difference between probability and possibility?
Probability is about how likely something is to happen, based on evidence or past experiences, and it’s often expressed as a percentage or fraction. Possibility, however, just means that something can happen without saying how likely it is. So, probability gives a clearer idea of the chances of something occurring, while possibility just acknowledges that it could happen without specifying how probable it is.
See more about the difference between probability and possibility.
Expressing Probability or Improbability in English
There are many ways to say that something will probably or improbably happen:
| … | may might can could | … |
| … will | probably | |
| It’s | probable improbable likely unlikely | that … |
| I | doubt suppose guess | … will … |
| ‘d be surprised | if …. |
| Perhaps May be | … will … |
Example Sentences of Expressing Probability
Here are some example sentences demonstrating how to express probability in English. Each sentence illustrates different ways to convey the likelihood of an event or situation:
- “It is probable that my grandfather will repair my bike.”
- “Maybe / perhaps the problem won’t be serious.”
- “It will probably rain this evening.”
- “I’m likely to do the work myself.”
- “There’s a chance we’ll win the competition.”
- “It’s possible that I’ll visit you next weekend.”
- “There’s a good likelihood of finding a solution to the problem.”
- “She might come to the party, but she’s not certain yet.”
- “It’s unlikely that the meeting will be canceled.”
- “There’s a slim possibility of getting a discount.”
Example Sentences of Expressing Improbability
Here are example sentences demonstrating how to express improbability in English. Expressing doubt, disbelief, or low likelihood is essential for conveying uncertainty or skepticism.
- “No, probably not.”
- “I don’t suppose my grandfather will repair the bike.”
- “I doubt my father will buy me a new computer, either.”
- “She is unlikely to return home early this evening.”
- “I’d be surprised if he got the best score.”
- “It’s unlikely he will find his lost keys.”
- “I highly doubt they’ll finish the project on time.”
- “Chances are slim that we’ll win the lottery.”
- “It’s improbable that she’ll change her mind.”
- “I find it hard to believe he’ll forgive her so easily.”
Expressing Probability In The Past
Expressing improbability in the past allows us to discuss events or situations that were unlikely to have occurred based on available evidence or past knowledge. Here are the structures:
| … | may might can could | have | Past Participle |
Examples of Expressing Improbability in the Past:
- “He may have robbed your computer while you were out.”
- “The criminal might have threatened her. That’s why she was afraid of him.”
- “The author could have carried out deep research on the subject. That’s why his book is so interesting.”
- “She may have forgotten to turn off the stove before leaving the house.”
- “He might have missed the train because of the heavy traffic.”
- “They could have misunderstood your instructions, leading to the confusion.”
- “The package may have been delivered to the wrong address.”
- “The students might have been studying late last night, explaining their tiredness today.”
- “She could have left her keys in the office, explaining why they’re not at home.”
- “The company may have underestimated the demand for their product, resulting in shortages.”
Expressing Improbability in the Past
You can express improbability in the past by adding the negation “not” to the verb or modal:
| … | may might can could | have not | Past Participle |
Example sentences of improbability in the past:
- “He may not have lived in this town. Nobody seems to know him.”
- “She can’t have helped him in his crime as they have never met before.”
- “They couldn’t have finished the project so quickly without any prior planning.”
- “He must not have realized the consequences of his actions, or else he wouldn’t have acted that way.”
- “She couldn’t have been the culprit; she was out of the country at the time of the crime.”
- “The document may not have been submitted on time, leading to the delay in processing.”
- “He couldn’t have been the one who broke the window; he was with me the whole time.”
- “They must not have known about the changes to the schedule, or they would have attended the meeting.”
- “She may not have understood the instructions correctly, resulting in the errors in her report.”
- “He couldn’t have been involved in the scandal; he has a spotless reputation.”
Conclusion
Phrases for expressing probability and improbability are invaluable tools in communication, applicable across diverse situations. Mastering the usage of these expressions enables individuals to articulate their beliefs, predictions, doubts, and uncertainties effectively.
Whether discussing potential outcomes, speculating about past events, or expressing skepticism, knowing how to utilize these phrases facilitates clearer and more nuanced communication.
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