Probability: Likely, Unlikely, Bound To, Definitely, Probably
Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
Use specific words like 'likely' or 'bound to' to express how certain you are about a future event.
- Use 'definitely' for 100% certainty: 'It will definitely rain.'
- Use 'likely' or 'probably' for high probability: 'It is likely to snow.'
- Use 'bound to' for inevitable outcomes: 'You are bound to succeed.'
نظرة عامة
- She is likely to pass.
- It is unlikely to change.
- They are likely to be late.
- It is likely that she will pass.
- He is bound to forget — he always does.
- The traffic is bound to be bad on Friday.
- It is bound to rain at some point.
- She will definitely call. / She will probably call.
- She definitely won't call. / She probably won't call.
Probability Structure Table
| Word | Structure | Certainty Level | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Definitely
|
Subject + definitely + verb
|
100%
|
I definitely know.
|
|
Probably
|
Subject + probably + verb
|
75%
|
I probably know.
|
|
Likely
|
It is likely that / Subject is likely to
|
70%
|
It is likely to rain.
|
|
Unlikely
|
It is unlikely that / Subject is unlikely to
|
20%
|
It is unlikely to rain.
|
|
Bound to
|
Subject + be + bound to + verb
|
95%
|
It is bound to rain.
|
Common Contractions
| Full | Short |
|---|---|
|
It is likely
|
It's likely
|
|
He is bound to
|
He's bound to
|
|
It is definitely
|
It's definitely
|
Meanings
These expressions allow speakers to qualify statements, indicating the degree of certainty or expectation regarding an event.
High Certainty
Expressing that something is almost certain to happen.
“He is definitely coming.”
“They are bound to win.”
Moderate Probability
Expressing that something is more likely than not.
“It will probably rain.”
“She is likely to finish early.”
Unlikely/Negative
Expressing that something is not expected to happen.
“It is unlikely to snow today.”
“He is not likely to arrive on time.”
Reference Table
| Form | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
|
Affirmative
|
Subject + will + definitely + verb
|
I will definitely go.
|
|
Negative
|
Subject + will + probably + not + verb
|
I will probably not go.
|
|
Question
|
Is it likely that...?
|
Is it likely that he comes?
|
|
Bound to
|
Subject + to be + bound to + verb
|
They are bound to win.
|
|
Short Answer
|
Yes, it is definitely.
|
Yes, it is definitely.
|
|
Unlikely
|
It is unlikely to + verb
|
It is unlikely to snow.
|
طيف الرسمية
The meeting is bound to proceed as scheduled. (Work)
The meeting will definitely happen. (Work)
The meeting is definitely on. (Work)
The meet's a go. (Work)
The Certainty Scale
High
- Definitely 100%
Inevitable
- Bound to 95%
Expected
- Probably 75%
Low
- Unlikely 20%
أمثلة حسب المستوى
I will definitely go.
Voy a ir definitivamente.
It will probably rain.
Probablemente lloverá.
I am definitely happy.
Estoy definitivamente feliz.
We will probably eat.
Probablemente comeremos.
She is likely to win.
Es probable que ella gane.
It is unlikely to be cold.
Es poco probable que haga frío.
They are bound to arrive soon.
Están destinados a llegar pronto.
I will definitely call you.
Definitivamente te llamaré.
It is highly likely that he knows.
Es muy probable que él sepa.
You are bound to make mistakes.
Estás destinado a cometer errores.
It is definitely not the right time.
Definitivamente no es el momento adecuado.
He is unlikely to change his mind.
Es poco probable que cambie de opinión.
The project is bound to succeed given the budget.
El proyecto está destinado a tener éxito dado el presupuesto.
It is improbable that the results will change.
Es improbable que los resultados cambien.
She will almost certainly be there.
Ella casi con seguridad estará allí.
It is not likely that we will finish today.
No es probable que terminemos hoy.
Given the evidence, it is bound to be a success.
Dada la evidencia, está destinado a ser un éxito.
The outcome is, in all likelihood, predetermined.
El resultado es, con toda probabilidad, predeterminado.
He is definitely not the person for the job.
Definitivamente no es la persona para el trabajo.
It is highly unlikely that the market will crash.
Es altamente improbable que el mercado colapse.
The inevitability of the event is bound to cause friction.
La inevitabilidad del evento está destinada a causar fricción.
Such a conclusion is definitely beyond reasonable doubt.
Tal conclusión está definitivamente más allá de toda duda razonable.
It is statistically unlikely that this occurred by chance.
Es estadísticamente improbable que esto ocurriera por casualidad.
One is bound to encounter such difficulties eventually.
Uno está destinado a encontrar tales dificultades eventualmente.
سهل الخلط
Learners swap them because they mean similar things.
Both imply certainty.
Both mean 100%.
أخطاء شائعة
I go definitely.
I will definitely go.
It is likely rain.
It is likely to rain.
I probably will.
I will probably.
It is bound rain.
It is bound to rain.
He is probably to come.
He will probably come.
It is definitely not to happen.
It definitely won't happen.
I am likely go.
I am likely to go.
It is bound that it rains.
It is bound to rain.
He is unlikely that he wins.
He is unlikely to win.
Probably he will go.
He will probably go.
It is definitely to be a success.
It is definitely going to be a success.
He is likely that he will win.
It is likely that he will win.
The result is bound to be change.
The result is bound to change.
It is unlikely to be happen.
It is unlikely to happen.
أنماط الجُمل
I will ___ go.
It is ___ to rain.
He is ___ to succeed.
It is ___ that we will finish.
Real World Usage
I'll probably be 5 mins late.
I am definitely interested in this role.
It is likely to rain.
The flight is bound to be delayed.
It will definitely arrive by 7.
This is definitely the best movie ever!
The 'Probably' Rule
Likely vs. Probably
Bound to
Softening
Smart Tips
Use 'bound to' for things that feel like a natural consequence.
Use 'unlikely' to sound professional.
Use 'definitely' to show enthusiasm.
Use 'probably' to keep things open.
النطق
Stress
Stress the probability word for emphasis.
Falling
It will PROBably rain.
Certainty/Statement
احفظها
وسيلة تذكّر
D-P-L-U-B: Definitely, Probably, Likely, Unlikely, Bound to.
ربط بصري
Imagine a thermometer. 'Definitely' is at the top (red), 'Probably' is in the middle (orange), and 'Unlikely' is at the bottom (blue).
Rhyme
If you are sure, say definitely. If you think so, say probably.
Story
I definitely wanted to go. I probably had enough time. It was likely to be fun, but I was bound to be late.
Word Web
تحدٍّ
Write 5 sentences about your day tomorrow using each of the 5 words.
ملاحظات ثقافية
British speakers often use 'likely' more conservatively.
Americans use 'definitely' very frequently in casual speech.
Australians often use 'probably' with a rising intonation.
Most of these words come from Latin roots (probabilis, definitus).
بدايات محادثة
Do you think it will rain today?
Are you going to pass the exam?
Is the project bound to succeed?
Is it likely that the economy will improve?
مواضيع للكتابة اليومية
أخطاء شائعة
Test Yourself
It is ___ to rain.
Which is correct?
Find and fix the mistake:
He is bound that he wins.
Arrange the words in the correct order:
All words placed
Click words above to build the sentence
Es probable que llueva.
Answer starts with: It ...
A: Will you be there? B: ___.
Use 'bound to' with 'success'.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
Score: /8
تمارين تطبيقية
8 exercisesIt is ___ to rain.
Which is correct?
Find and fix the mistake:
He is bound that he wins.
definitely / will / I / go
Es probable que llueva.
A: Will you be there? B: ___.
Use 'bound to' with 'success'.
Match 'Definitely'.
Score: /8
الأسئلة الشائعة (8)
Yes, 'Probably, I will go' is common in speech.
No, it is an adjective. Use 'is likely to'.
'Bound to' is for future prediction; 'must' is for necessity.
Use 'not' after the auxiliary verb: 'I will probably not go'.
Some are (likely), some are casual (definitely).
Yes, 'Are you definitely coming?'
Yes, but 'unlikely' is more formal.
To express your level of certainty clearly.
Scaffolded Practice
1
2
3
4
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
Es probable que
Subjunctive vs. Infinitive.
Il est probable que
Mood usage.
Wahrscheinlich
Word order flexibility.
Kamoshirenai
Suffixes vs. independent words.
Min al-muhtamal
Prepositional vs. Adjectival.
Keneng
Lack of conjugation.
Learning Path
Prerequisites
فيديوهات ذات صلة
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