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 #2 (permalink) Tue Jul 25, 2006 14:18 pm PROBABLY versus LIKELY versus MAYBE |
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| Tell you what. You have a try at answering first. What do you think? |
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Conchita
Language Coach
Joined: 26 Dec 2005
Posts: 2826
Location: Madrid, Spain
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| #3 (permalink) Tue Jul 25, 2006 17:02 pm PROBABLY versus LIKELY versus MAYBE |
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Dear all,
At the request of Conchita, I give you my opinions about these words.
While working, I realize that "probable" is "likely" to be true, to happen..., that "likely" means "probable" or "expected", that "maybe" is used when somebody is not sure that sth will happen or is true....
I'd like to say one thing. If you aren't native speaker, when you hear one word, you seems to understand all but in fact, how to distinguish clearly is very difficult.
Before, I have taught language (not English) and I understand that.
So, please help me if possible.
Many thanks.
Van Khanh |
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Van Khanh
I'm here quite often ;-)
Joined: 24 Jul 2006
Posts: 324
Location: Ho Chi Minh-City, Viet Nam
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| #4 (permalink) Wed Jul 26, 2006 21:18 pm PROBABLY versus LIKELY versus MAYBE |
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| Very good, Van Khanh, your answer is correct and well explained. |
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Conchita
Language Coach
Joined: 26 Dec 2005
Posts: 2826
Location: Madrid, Spain
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| #5 (permalink) Wed Jul 26, 2006 23:46 pm Probably, maybe, perhaps, likely etc |
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The difference is about certainty.
Maybe and perhaps are used to express approx. 50% certainty that something is going to happen in the future.
Likely and probably are used to express approx 90% certainty that something is going to happen in the future.
Same thing with "I will go" and "I may go".
I guees I'm right about this. |
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Toefl
I'm new here and I like it ;-)
Joined: 19 Jan 2006
Posts: 41
Location: Toronto
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| #6 (permalink) Thu Jul 27, 2006 15:11 pm Probably, maybe, perhaps, likely etc |
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| toefl wrote: |
The difference is about certainty.
Maybe and perhaps are used to express approx. 50% certainty that something is going to happen in the future.
Likely and probably are used to express approx 90% certainty that something is going to happen in the future.
Same thing with "I will go" and "I may go".
I guees I'm right about this. |
You're right, TOEFL (this acronym always makes me think of the German word for 'devil'!). Usually, 'probably' and 'likely' are 'more likely' than 'maybe' and 'perhaps'. |
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Conchita
Language Coach
Joined: 26 Dec 2005
Posts: 2826
Location: Madrid, Spain
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| #7 (permalink) Thu Jul 27, 2006 22:29 pm Likely or May be |
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Hey Conchita, I may be der Teufel aber I am likely der Engel :-)
Has du die Deutche sprache in die Schule gelernt? |
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Toefl
I'm new here and I like it ;-)
Joined: 19 Jan 2006
Posts: 41
Location: Toronto
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| #8 (permalink) Thu Jul 27, 2006 23:04 pm Likely or May be |
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| toefl wrote: |
Hey Conchita, I may be der Teufel aber I am likely der Engel :-)
Has du die Deutche sprache in die Schule gelernt? |
Aren't we all part angel and part devil :) ?
Ja, Deutsch habe ich zuerst in der Schule und dann auch in Deutschland gelernt (yes, I learned German at school -- in Switzerland -- and in Germany). |
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Conchita
Language Coach
Joined: 26 Dec 2005
Posts: 2826
Location: Madrid, Spain
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| Phrase: I always used to have the e-mail program check... | Slang! (He smokes while playing the piano...) |
