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What's the difference between the "possibly" and "probably"?

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Type: Question • Score: 1 • Views: 589 • Replies: 5

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@zrcandy,

zrcandy wrote:

What's the difference between the "possibly" and probably"?

The difference is one of degree of certainty. If something is possible it may or may not happen, while if it is probable it is more likely to happen than not.

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@contrex,

It's likely that probable dares to connote a greater chance of happenstance than possible but curiously I can't find a dictionary to confirm what contrex and I agree is a popular understanding of the terms , especially and most disturbingly the p > 0.5

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@laughoutlood,

Distinguish between what may possibly and what will probably be done.
- L'Estrange.

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@laughoutlood,

laughoutlood wrote:

It's likely that probable dares to connote a greater chance of happenstance than possible but curiously I can't find a dictionary to confirm what contrex and I agree is a popular understanding of the terms , especially and most disturbingly the p > 0.5

If my doctor said "It is possible that you will die tomorrow", I would say "Yes, I know, this is true for everybody.", but if he said "It is probable that you will die tomorrow", I would be very alarmed.

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@contrex,

Indeed, and under such circumstances I would insist that the doctor mail the bill.

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