probable

probable — adjective

1. having a strong chance of being true or of actually happening, based on the avai

1.形容詞B2
釋義

having a strong chance of being true or of actually happening, based on the available evidence or on what you already know — for example, when dark clouds gather, rain is probable.

例句

It is probable that Sayaka will get the job, since she has the most experience.

it is probable + that-clause for likelihood about the future

The most probable cause of the fire was a faulty electrical wire in the kitchen.

probable + noun (attributive position)

同義詞
  • likely

    more common in everyday speech; can be used with to-infinitive ('is likely to happen') where probable cannot

  • possible

    weaker than probable — suggests something may happen or be true but with less certainty

  • plausible

    focuses on seeming reasonable or believable rather than on statistical or evidential likelihood

反義詞
  • improbable

    direct opposite; suggests something is unlikely to be true or to happen

  • unlikely

    less formal counterpart of improbable; preferred in conversation

文法句型

it is probable + that-clause

probable + noun

noun + be + probable

用法筆記

Probable suggests a stronger likelihood than possible but a weaker one than certain. Unlike likely, probable is not used with a to-infinitive (❌ 'He is probable to come' → ✅ 'It is probable that he will come'). It appears most often in formal or written English; in everyday conversation, likely is more natural. The most common sentence pattern is it is probable + that-clause.

常見錯誤

❌He is probable to win the race.
✅It is probable that he will win the race.
💡Probable cannot follow the pattern 'person + be + probable + to-infinitive'; use 'it is probable + that-clause' instead.
❌There is a probable chance of rain today.
✅Rain is probable today.' or 'There is a good chance of rain today.
💡'Probable chance' is redundant; probable already implies a chance.