Probably in this context
I have a question about the usage of probably.
Let's say you are at a party. You see 3 people - Person A, Person B, and Person C. Person A is your friend, though you don't really know Person B and Person C. You are certain Person A knows your name (as you are friends), though you only consider it likely that Person B and Person C know your name.
You walk up to them:
YOU: "You guys probably know my name." = "I consider it likely you guys know my name."
Would "You guys probably know my name." work? I'm not sure if you would use it as you know that one of the three know your name for sure. Is there a different sentence? Would this one work?
Top answer
" This is not wrong, but I'd try through my body language and eye-contact to make it clear that I'm saying this to persons B and C. Or I could begin by speaking to Person A (eg Hello, A ) and then speaking to B and C. " Yes, but note also that just saying either of those two sentences seems unnatural and even a little egotistical to me.
- " This is not wrong, but I'd try through my body language and eye-contact to make it clear that I'm saying this to persons B and C.
- Or I could begin by speaking to Person A (eg Hello, A ) and then speaking to B and C.
- " Yes, but note also that just saying either of those two sentences seems unnatural and even a little egotistical to me.
- More natural is to say to B and C, "Hello, I'm Clive".
- Clive
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You walk up to them:
YOU: "You guys probably know my name." This is not wrong, but I'd try through my body language and eye-contact to make it clear that I'm saying this to persons B and C.
Or I could begin by speaking to Person A (eg Hello, A) and then speaking to B and C.
"You guys probably know my name." = "I consider it likely you guys know my
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