～でしょう | Grammar

Structure

[verb (plain)] + でしょう [i-adj] + でしょう [na-adj] + でしょう [noun] + でしょう

Description

でしょう turns a statement into a guess: "probably". It goes after the plain form of a verb or an い-adjective, and straight after a noun or a な-adjective. It is the polite form of だろう.

。

It will probably rain tomorrow.

。

It is probably cold in Tokyo now.

。

He is probably a student.

。

Tanaka has probably got home by now.

A noun or a な-adjective takes no だ before でしょう, and a verb stays in the plain form even in polite speech.

× 学生だでしょう → 学生でしょう
× 行きますでしょう → 行くでしょう

Not for your own plans

English "will" pulls learners towards でしょう for what they have decided to do. でしょう only guesses. Your own plans take the ます form.

、。

I will go to Tokyo tomorrow.

× 明日、私は東京に行くでしょう → 明日、東京に行きます

でしょう or かもしれません

でしょう is a confident guess. かもしれません leaves more room: "might".

。

It will probably rain tomorrow.

。

It might rain tomorrow.

Usage notes

These go beyond a plain guess.

"Right?"

Said with a rising voice, でしょう asks the listener to agree. In conversation it often shortens to でしょ.

、きごう？

This is good, isn't it?

、きごう？

I told you yesterday, didn't I?

Forecasts

Weather forecasts and announcements put でしょう on the end of their predictions.

。

It will clear up from the afternoon.

Examples

。

It will probably rain tomorrow.

。

She will probably come.

。

This book is probably interesting.

。

The park is probably quiet on weekdays.

。

He is probably a student.

。

The exam will probably be easy.

。

It is probably cold in Tokyo now.

。

That is probably expensive.

。

Tanaka has probably got home by now.

。

This train will probably be late.

、きごう？

This cake is good, isn't it?

References

でしょうBunpro
DeshouTofugu