恐らく | Grammar

Structure

恐らく + [sentence] + だろう / でしょう恐らく + [sentence] + と思う

Description

恐らく is an adverb meaning "probably", "most likely". It goes at the start of the sentence or before the predicate, and the sentence nearly always ends in a guess: だろう, でしょう, とおもう思う or のではないか. It is often written in kana, おそらく.

。

It will probably rain tomorrow.

。

He probably won't come.

。

I think this is probably the last chance.

。

He probably didn't know anything.

恐らく or たぶん

Both mean "probably". たぶん is the everyday word and fits any conversation. 恐らく sounds weighed and a little formal, so it belongs to news, reports, presentations and serious talk, and it suggests you are fairly sure.

。

I think this plan will probably succeed.

。

This plan will most likely succeed.

恐らく or きっと

is a confident "surely", and it can go with a hope or a request: . 恐らく is only ever a guess, so it cannot sit in a request or a promise.

× 恐らく来てください → きっと来てください

Examples

。

It will probably snow tomorrow.

。

He has most likely already gone home.

。

I think this problem probably won't be solved easily.

。

The train will probably be delayed.

。

She is probably the most outstanding student.

。

The meeting will probably start at 3 p.m.

、。

The culprit is most likely still in this town.

。

That rumor is probably not true.

。

Prices will probably rise next year as well.

。

He probably didn't know anything.

。

This is probably the best method.

。

Probably nobody noticed.

References

おそらくBunpro