12 Ways to Say PROBABLY

12 Natural Ways to Say “Probably” in English (with Meanings & Examples)

In real life, we rarely speak in 100% certainties. We guess. We estimate. We make careful predictions. We say things like:

“It’ll probably rain.”

“She’ll probably be late.”

“They’ll probably agree.”

But if you always use probably, your English starts to sound a little… repetitive. The good news? English has many elegant, natural ways to express probability, likelihood, and reasonable expectation — from neutral and conversational to formal and academic.

In this lesson, you’ll learn 12 excellent alternatives to “probably”, all with clear meanings and real examples. These expressions are perfect for B2–C1 learners, essays, articles, reports, and Cambridge exams.

Let’s explore them.

Likely

Meaning: expected to happen.

• Prices are likely to go up next month.
• It’s more than likely that it will rain this afternoon.

Apparently

Meaning: used when something seems true based on what you have heard or seen, but is not 100% certain.

• Apparently, this nice weather won’t last.
• The flight was delayed, apparently because of bad weather.

Undoubtedly

Meaning: without doubt; used when you are almost completely sure.

• She is undoubtedly one of the best students in the class.
• This is undoubtedly a very important decision.

Perhaps

Meaning: possibly; maybe.

• Perhaps the weather will improve in the evening.
• I’ll perhaps go cycling at the weekend if I have time.

Almost certainly

Meaning: very probably; extremely likely.

• The story is almost certainly not true.
• The cause of the problem is almost certainly a virus.

(As) like as not (more British, informal)

Meaning: very probably.

• He’ll be late, as like as not.
• The house is over a hundred years old, like as not.

No doubt / Without (any) doubt / Doubtless

Meaning: used to say something is very likely or practically certain.

• No doubt he’ll forget to call.
• This is, without a doubt, the best film she’s made.
• Time will doubtless tell us the truth.

In all probability

Meaning: very likely.

• In all probability, she won’t come to the party.
• Our boss is 64 and, in all probability, he’ll retire next year.

All things being equal

Meaning: if everything happens as expected.

• All things being equal, we’ll arrive in about half an hour.
• All things being equal, the project will be finished next month.

All things considered

Meaning: after thinking about all the facts.

• All things considered, this is a good decision.
• He’s the best person for the job, all things considered.

On the face of it

Meaning: judging only from first impressions.

• On the face of it, the plan seems sensible.
• It looks, on the face of it, like a good idea.

To all appearances

Meaning: judging from what can be seen.

• To all appearances, they are very happy together.
• To all appearances, the company is doing well.

How to choose the right one

For neutral everyday English → likely, perhaps, apparently, almost certainly

For formal writing & exams → in all probability, undoubtedly, all things considered

For careful judgement / first impressions → on the face of it, to all appearances

For British-flavoured style → (as) like as not, doubtless

Good English is not about knowing more grammar. It’s about having more choices.

If you can vary how you say “probably”, your English will immediately sound more natural, more precise and more sophisticated.

And that, all things considered, is almost certainly a good thing. 😉

Learn better ways to say “please” here