Speculating
Here are some ways of talking about what we think might happen, when we don't really know.
Ten ways to say what you think will happen
casual · neutral · formal
- No doubt the Joneses will be there.neutralNo doubt the Pereras will be at the wedding.
- It's unlikely that she'll come now.neutralIt's already nine. It's unlikely that she'll come now.
- I bet/You can bet (that) they'll be late.casualYou can bet they'll be late, as usual.
- I imagine (that) it'll be busy.neutralIt's Poya. I imagine it'll be busy at the temple.
- The chances are that he'll win.neutralHe has trained hard. The chances are that he'll win.
- There's no chance of them coming now.neutralThe road is flooded. There's no chance of them coming now.
- In all probability, it will be raining.formalIn all probability, it will be raining in Nuwara Eliya.
- My guess is that she'll lose.neutralMy guess is that she'll lose the election.
- There's just a chance that it will work.neutralTry restarting it. There's just a chance that it will work.
- I wouldn't be surprised if it rained.neutralLook at those clouds. I wouldn't be surprised if it rained.
How to use them
- suggests that we are certain that something is not going to happen.
- are a little weaker. They are used when we think something is very likely or unlikely to happen.
- is similar to , but less formal.
- are used when we think something is quite likely, but we aren't really very confident of it.
- is much weaker. We think that something is unlikely, but is possible.
Quick check
Tap an answer. Nothing is saved.
Which phrase means something is very likely?
"I wouldn't be surprised if it rained" means:
Which phrase means something probably won't happen?
See also: Having a guess · Talking about improbability
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