probable
gb/pɹˈɑbəbəl/ us/pɹˈɑbəbəl/
B2
Anglais
~ 2400
Sens
0 sens
adjective
B2
property
1
likely to happen or be true
Having a good chance of being true or happening.
Schéma d’usage :
it is probable (that) [clause]
Erreur fréquente :
Learners sometimes confuse 'probable' with 'possible'. 'Probable' means more likely than not; 'possible' only means it can happen.
Synonymes
likely (Slightly more common in everyday speech; 'probable' is more formal.)
|
possible (Indicates something could happen, but with less certainty than 'probable'.)
Antonymes
improbable (Implies there is little chance of the event happening.)
|
unlikely (Common in everyday speech to mean low chance of happening.)
Collocations
highly probable
|probable cause
|probable outcome
|probable reason
|most probable
Thèmes
probability
|reasoning
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
Exemples
- It is probable that the meeting will be postponed.
- The most probable explanation is human error.
- Given the dark clouds, rain seems highly probable.
- Police said it was probable that the suspect had left the city.
- A probable cause for the accident was a brake failure.
Exemples pédagogiques
- It is probable that she will come.
- Rain is probable this afternoon.
- This is the most probable answer.
- It is probable that he is tired.
- The team has a probable chance to win.
Grammaire
Forme canonique
probable
API
GB/pɹˈɑbəbəl/
US/pɹˈɑbəbəl/
Syllabes et accentuation
prob - able (2 syllabes)
Stress on 1st syllable (prob)
Formes du mot
Adjective
- Base: probable
Famille de mots
Core family
probably
adverb A2
probability
noun B1
Negative and opposite forms
improbable
adjective B2
improbably
adverb
Advanced or less common
Expressions
probable cause
1/pɹˈɑbəbəl kˈɔz/
fixed phrase
reasonable legal grounds
A good reason for the police to think a crime happened or to search a place.
Exemples
- The police needed probable cause before entering the house.
- Without probable cause, the search would be illegal.