Possibly or probably

Question

Hi,What is the difference between "possibly" and "probably"?Could you please give some examples?Thanks

Clive · Accepted Answer

Hi,

What is the difference between "possibly" and "probably"?
Could you please give some examples?

I and 10 million other people buy a lottery ticket.

I might possibly win. But I probably won't..

Clive

CalifJim · Answer

Think in terms of probabilities as likelihoods from 0% to 100% that something will happen.

Impossible (not possible) means the likelihood is 0%.
Possible means the likelihood is not 0%.
Certain means the likelihood is 100%.
Probable means vaguely near 100%, but not 100%, that is, not certain.
Improbable (not probable) means not near 100%, much lower than that, closer to 0%.

If something is impossible, it is certainly improbable.
But if something is possible, it may be probable or improbable.

It is impossible that someone from the planet Jupiter will visit me. (Not possible, not probable.)

It is possible that the people from the zoo will drop an elephant on my house. (Possible but not probable.)

It is possible that the mailman will deliver a bill to me this week. (Possible and probable.)

Hence, using the adverb forms:

The people from the zoo might possibly drop an elephant on my house.
The people from the zoo will probably not drop an elephant on my house.
The mailman might possibly deliver a bill to me this week.
The mailman will probably deliver a bill to me this week.

Note the combinations: might possibly; will probably; will probably not.

CJ

Possibly or probably

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