Please log in or register. Registered visitors get fewer ads.
Forum index | Previous Thread | Next thread
When did we start saying 'likely' instead of 'probably' and... 20:05 - Nov 19 with 877 viewsNthQldITFC

...was it always going to happen?

⚔ Long live the Duke of Punuar ⚔
Poll: What Olympic sport/group are you most 'into'?

0
When did we start saying 'likely' instead of 'probably' and... on 20:18 - Nov 19 with 833 viewstonybied

It was always likely it was going to happen...probably!
0
When did we start saying 'likely' instead of 'probably' and... on 20:23 - Nov 19 with 814 viewsWeWereZombies

When it started to look favourable to do so...

Poll: What was in Wes Burns' imaginary cup of tea ?

0
When did we start saying 'likely' instead of 'probably' and... on 22:57 - Nov 19 with 700 viewsfactual_blue

Well, 'likely' comes from Old English and Old Norse, whereas 'probably' comes from Latin.


So 'quite a long time' would be my guess. It's probable that the common folk used 'likely, and the Norman aristocracy would have been more likely to use 'probably'.

Ta neige, Acadie, fait des larmes au soleil
Poll: Best at sniping
Blog: [Blog] The Shape We're In

1
When did we start saying 'likely' instead of 'probably' and... on 08:06 - Nov 20 with 556 viewsTangledupin_Blue

Probably about the time we stopped 'persuading' people to do things and (wrongly) began 'convincing' them to do so.

They are not interchangeable. Properly used you might persuade a person to act having convinced them that it is a good idea.

Poll: Which Two Will Gain Automatic Promotion?

0
When did we start saying 'likely' instead of 'probably' and... on 08:28 - Nov 20 with 526 viewsCafe_Newman

It's been the government's go to expression in risk assessment for years:





0
When did we start saying 'likely' instead of 'probably' and... on 08:38 - Nov 20 with 516 viewsbsw72

Depends on context, if something is *likely* then it is expected to happen and can often be used when discussing past events with a known outcome, while *probably* indicates more doubt or less nearness. *Probably* is used more with reference to future events.

It's a suitably vague and interchangeable difference to be honest.
1
When did we start saying 'likely' instead of 'probably' and... on 08:53 - Nov 20 with 486 viewsnodge_blue

Likely is less probable.

Poll: best attacking central midfielder?

0




About Us Contact Us Terms & Conditions Privacy Cookies Advertising
© TWTD 1995-2025