Cool MatePossible vs Probable
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Possible
Top 1,000 (very common)A1adjective
Probable
Top 2,000 (common)B2adjective
Most common: Possible
| Possible | Probable | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //ˈpɒs.ə.bəl//🇺🇸 //ˈpɑː.sə.bəl// | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈprɒbəbl/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈprɑːbəbl/"]/ |
| Meaning | Something that can happen or be done. | likely to happen or be true |
| Example | It is possible to learn a new language. | the probable cause/explanation/outcome |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | A1 | B2 |
| Part of speech | adjective | adjective |
| Collocations | possible outcome, possible solution, possible scenario | be, look, seem, highly, very, increasingly |
| Antonyms | impossible, unfeasible | improbable, unlikely |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'impossible' which means not able to happen., Omitting 'is' when saying 'It is possible'., Using it with a negative without proper context, e.g. saying 'not possible' instead of 'impossible'. | Confused with 'probably' which indicates uncertainty., Used with incorrect verb forms, e.g., 'probable that it rains' instead of 'probable it will rain'. |
| Usage notes | Use 'possible' when discussing things that could happen. Avoid it in very formal contexts. | Used to indicate a strong likelihood of something occurring. Common in both spoken and written English. Avoid in very informal contexts where simpler words may suffice. |
Frequently asked questions: Possible vs Probable
What's the difference between Possible and Probable?
Possible: Something that can happen or be done. Probable: likely to happen or be true
Which is more common: Possible and Probable?
Possible is the most common in everyday English.
Which is more advanced: Possible and Probable?
Probable is the highest level, at B2, on the CEFR scale.
Are Possible and Probable the same CEFR level?
Possible: A1, Probable: B2 on the CEFR scale.
What part of speech are Possible and Probable?
Possible: adjective, Probable: adjective.
Can you show an example of each?
Possible: It is possible to learn a new language. Probable: the probable cause/explanation/outcome
Can I use Possible and Probable interchangeably?
Not always. Possible and Probable 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.