Expressing Probability

Expressing Probability

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Expressing probability or improbability:

See the difference between probability and possibility.

There are many ways to say that something will probably or improbably happen.

Probability / improbability

...	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 ...

Examples of probability:

• It is probable that my grandfather repairs my bike.
• May be / perhaps the problem won’t be serious.
• It will probably rain this evening.
• I’m likely to do the work myself.

Examples of improbability:

• 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.

Expressing probability in the past:

...

may might can could

have

Past Participle

Examples of probability 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 might have carried a deep research on the subject. That's why his book is so interesting.

Examples of improbability in the past:

• He may have not lived in this town. Nobody seems to know him.
• She can't have helped him in his crime as they have never met before.