How To Talk About Certainty, Probability & Possibility in English

Learn how to talk about certainty, probability & possibility in English in my latest lesson. I show you lots of ways to express different levels of certainty - from highly unlikely to virtually certain. And there's a quiz at the end to test what you've learned!

Degrees of certainty scale:
0 - impossible
2-3 - unlikely
5 - possible
7-8 - probable/likely
10 - certain

Simple example sentences for each part of the scale:
0 - It’s impossible (that) he’ll get the job.
2-3 - It’s unlikely (that) he’ll get the job.
5 - It’s possible (that) he’ll get the job.
7-8 - It's likely/probable (that) he'll get the job.
10 - It’s certain (that) he’ll get the job.

More example sentences for each part of the scale:

0
It’s impossible (that)he’ll get the job.

He definitely won’t get the job.
There’s absolutely no chance/way (that) he’ll get the job.
The chances (that) he’ll get the job are zero.

1
There’s almost/virtually no chance (that) he’ll get the job.
It’s very/highly unlikely (that) he’ll get the job.
The likelihood (that) he’ll get the job is very low.
The chances (that) he’ll get the job are very low.

2-3
It’s unlikely (that) he’ll get the job.
There’s a small/slim/slight/remote chance (that) he’ll get the job.
He probably won’t get the job.

4
There is a slight possibility (that) he’ll get the job.

5
It’s possible (that) he’ll get the job.
He’ll possibly get the job.
There’s a possibility (that) he’ll get the job.

6-7
There is a strong possibility (that) he’ll get the job.

7-8
It’s probable (that) he’ll get the job.
He’ll probably get the job.
There’s a good chance (that) he’ll get the job.

9
There’s almost/virtually no doubt (that) he’ll get the job.
It’s almost/virtually certain (that) he’ll get the job.
The likelihood (that) he’ll get the job is very high.
The chances (that) he’ll get the job are very high.

10
It’s certain (that) he’ll get the job.
He’ll definitely get the job.
There’s absolutely no doubt (that) he’ll get the job.

Chapters:
0:00 Intro
00:58 Degrees of certainty scale
1:36 Simple example sentences
4:12 More ways to express degrees of certainty
10:39 Quiz

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Music credits: Intro music: Far Away by MK2
Background music: Honey and Milk by The 126ers

[u]

This is very helpful information for me to know. Thank you Derek!

[ragan]

Thank you. It is probably the best english channel in youTube. The quiz at the end is both, funny and educative. Saludos desde Colombia!

[hashemfaroukh]

Thank you so much we need to know how to use will, may and can

[davialmeida]

your class definitely has been helpful for me (I'm not sure, grammar is right). Thank you!

[munbokhimhun]

The way of your teaching is excellent...sir...

[Joga_Arthur]

Always helpfull class, certainly i Will use this...

[kosumantri]

Thank a lot, it's very useful but How about using, can, could, and, would in this case?

[samladj]

You are a nice teacher and I subscribed...from Algeria thannnks

[amreeshprabhat]

Hi, thanks a lot. It's very useful.

[floraguo]

What's the degree of probability for "quite possible" in this sentence: it's quite possible that you will be admitted.

[melomelomelody]

Kindly revise the Simple example sentence of the scale 5 in description. It should be “it’s possible that he’ll get the job. ”

[fongbeng]

Sir, what is the difference and which is correct?
1) No wearing mask will increase the chances of infection.
2) No wearing mask will increase the chance of infection.
Chance vs chances??

3) No wearing mask will increase a chance of infection.
4) No wearing mask will increase chances of infection.

Which is correct and what are their differences? Thank u

[yannicknelva]

the sound is not good I am quite disappointed