Meaning & use
probable
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Meanings
adjectivenot comparable
Likely to happen or be true, based on the available evidence.
Grammar: Often predicative with that: It is probable that prices will rise; attributive use is common in probable cause.
Patterns
- probable that
- highly probable
- probable outcome
It is probable that the flight will leave late.
A highly probable explanation is that the battery failed.
adjectivebefore a nounlawspecialist
In law, reasonable enough to justify an arrest, search, or charge.
Grammar: Usually fixed before a noun in probable cause; learners should treat it as a legal collocation.
Patterns
- probable cause
- probable cause to arrest
The officer needed probable cause to search the car.
The judge asked whether there was probable cause for the warrant.
Common combinations
- highly probable
- Failure is highly probable if the pump overheats.
- probable cause
- The lawsuit challenged the claim of probable cause.
- probable outcome
- The probable outcome is a narrow win for the reformers.
Synonyms and how they differ
- likely
- Likely is more everyday and can precede a noun: a likely result.
- possible
- Possible only says something can happen and is weaker than probable.
- plausible
- Plausible means believable, not necessarily likely to be true.
Opposites
Word family
- probability noun
- The chance that something will happen.
- probably adverb
- Used to say something is likely true.
- improbable adjective
- Not likely to happen or be true.
Commonly confused: probable or possible?
probable vs possible
Possible means it can happen; probable means evidence makes it more likely than not.
Practice
The radar failed, so a storm delay is ___.
Choose one answer.
Evidence from the failed radar makes delay likely, so probable is best. Possible only is weaker than the context supports.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “probable”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.