Probably vs Could - What's the difference?
probably | could |
In all likelihood.
*{{quote-book, year=1922, author=(Ben Travers), title=(A Cuckoo in the Nest)
, chapter=1 *{{quote-magazine, year=2013, month=May-June, author=
, title= (can)
conditional of can
#
# (Used to politely ask for permission to do something).
# ( Used to politely ask for someone else to do something).
# (Used to show the possibility that something might happen).
#* {{quote-magazine, date=2013-06-29, volume=407, issue=8842, page=55, magazine=(The Economist)
, title= # (Used to suggest something).
As an adverb probably
is in all likelihood.As a verb could is
(can).probably
English
Alternative forms
* (colloquial)Adverb
(en adverb)citation, passage=“[…] the awfully hearty sort of Christmas cards that people do send to other people that they don't know at all well. You know. The kind that have mottoes
William E. Conner
An Acoustic Arms Race, volume=101, issue=3, page=206-7, magazine=(American Scientist) , passage=Earless ghost swift moths become “invisible” to echolocating bats by forming mating clusters close
Synonyms
* (in all likelihood) likely, perhaps, maybe, possibly, presumably, most likely, doubtless, in all probability, perchance, as likely as not, as like as notcould
English
Alternative forms
* (obsolete)Verb
(head)- Before I was blind, I could see very well.
- I think he could do it if he really wanted to.
- I wish I could fly!
Travels and travails, passage=Even without hovering drones, a lurking assassin, a thumping score and a denouement, the real-life story of Edward Snowden, a rogue spy on the run, could be straight out of the cinema. But, as with Hollywood, the subplots and exotic locations may distract from the real message: America’s discomfort and its foes’ glee.}}