in all probability
8
3.8
- idiom
:
probablemente
- The weather forecast predicts that, in all probability, it will rain tomorrow.
I learned that in all probability I have not been meeting the needs which you have.
- I learned that in all probability I have not been meeting the needs which you have.
Examples
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In all probability, "Sir Spider" was a nickname he'd picked up at school.
Fiction book (1990) -
Well, you better get a bed and some canned food because in all probability, you'll be there for three or four months.
-
The 10 guilty men who go free will, in all probability, kill again.
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And in all probability I'll be very happy to give her to you.
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In all probability, he hates you.
-
In all probability, however, it is a move toward a more equitable balance of forces, not interests.
Academic text (1991) -
In all probability, the way Catherine was feeling now, she would outlive even her daughter.
Fiction book (1995) -
In all probability, fear and panic had stirred in him the inspiration characteristic of great builders.
Fiction book (2000) -
Factions in the PLA have been identified, and in all probability, grievous tensions will continue in China throughout the 1990s.
Academic text (1991) -
Ugg boots are one example of footwear that has not eliminated itself from trend and in all probability won't.
Blog text (26)
Synonyms
∞
1.0
Likely to happen or be true but not certain
786
1.0
There is a good chance it will happen
81
3.2
It is likely that something will happen
24
3.2
Very likely to happen or be true
2
3.7
There is a good chance it will happen
1
3.7
Very likely to happen
Very likely to happen
Very likely to be true
Antonyms
How Likely
Surface Forms
Morphology
in + all + probability
The phrase directly combines 'probability' (likelihood) with the quantifier 'all' and the preposition 'in' to indicate something falls within the overall likelihood, yielding 'very likely' or 'almost certainly'. This compositional pattern is transparent and cross-linguistically paralleled, so a B1 learner who knows the constituent words can readily infer the meaning.
Etymology
In all probability comes from the simple idea of looking at all the signs and chances together and judging the overall probability. So, when people say in all probability, they mean 'very likely'.