Cool MateGonna be definitely likely vs Probably
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Gonna be definitely likely
InformalTop 2,000 (common)
Probably
Top 1,000 (very common)A1adverb
Most formal: ProbablyMost common: Probably
| Gonna be definitely likely | Probably | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //ˈɡʌnə biː ˈdɛfɪnətli ˈlaɪkli//🇺🇸 //ˈɡʌnə bi ˈdɛfɪnətli ˈlaɪkli// | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈprɒbəbli/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈprɑːbəbli/"]/ |
| Meaning | Going to happen for sure | most likely; it seems that something will happen |
| Example | It's gonna be definitely likely that we'll win the game this weekend. | You're **probably right**. |
| Register | Informal | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| CEFR level | - | A1 |
| Part of speech | adverb | |
| Collocations | gonna be sure, gonna happen, gonna be certain, gonna be okay, gonna be fun | probably going to, probably not, probably true |
| Antonyms | - | unlikely, improbable |
| Common mistakes | Confusing with 'going to' - 'gonna' is informal., Using 'definitely likely' with different contexts where certainty isn't needed., Overusing in formal settings, which can sound unprofessional. | Using 'probably' with negative verbs incorrectly, 'Probably' used too frequently can sound unsure, Confusing 'probably' with 'probably not' |
| Usage notes | Use 'gonna be definitely likely' in casual conversations to express certainty about a future event. It's best avoided in formal writing. | Use 'probably' when you want to indicate that something is likely true or will happen. It's appropriate in both spoken and written English, but avoid in very formal contexts where more certain language is expected. |
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Frequently asked questions: Gonna be definitely likely vs Probably
What's the difference between Gonna be definitely likely and Probably?
Gonna be definitely likely: Going to happen for sure Probably: most likely; it seems that something will happen
Which is more formal: Gonna be definitely likely and Probably?
Probably is the most formal of these.
Which is more common: Gonna be definitely likely and Probably?
Probably is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Gonna be definitely likely: It's gonna be definitely likely that we'll win the game this weekend. Probably: You're **probably right**.
Can I use Gonna be definitely likely and Probably interchangeably?
Not always. Gonna be definitely likely and Probably are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.