GUESSING probabilities with degrees of certainty with I BET / PROBABLY / MAYBE / I DOUBT

GUESSING probabilities with degrees of certainty INTERMEDIATE PATTERN ENGLISH English Speaking 360

Explanation and Extra Practice

Here’s an easy way to understand how to guess probabilities using phrases like I bet, probably, maybe, and I doubt. These phrases show how sure or unsure we are about something happening.

1. I Bet

  • Meaning: You’re very sure about something.
  • Certainty: High (around 80-90%)
  • Example: “I bet it will rain tomorrow.” (You’re almost sure it’s going to rain.)

2. Probably

  • Meaning: You think it’s likely, but you’re not completely sure.
  • Certainty: Fairly high (around 70-80%)
  • Example: “It will probably rain tomorrow.” (It seems likely, but it’s not a guarantee.)

3. Maybe

  • Meaning: You’re unsure, and it could go either way.
  • Certainty: Medium (around 40-60%)
  • Example: “Maybe it will rain tomorrow.” (It could rain, but it also might not.)

4. I Doubt

  • Meaning: You think it’s unlikely, but it’s still possible.
  • Certainty: Low (around 20-30%)
  • Example: “I doubt it will rain tomorrow.” (You don’t think it will rain, but you’re not ruling it out completely.)

In short:

  • I bet = You’re almost sure.
  • Probably = You think it’s likely.
  • Maybe = You’re not sure.
  • I doubt = You think it’s unlikely.

These phrases help express how confident or uncertain you are about something happening.

Extra Practice

Guessing Probabilities Quiz

Question 1:
If you are almost sure that something will happen, which phrase would you use?
A) Probably
B) Maybe
C) I bet
D) I doubt

Question 2:
Which phrase expresses the highest level of certainty?
A) I doubt
B) I bet
C) Maybe
D) Probably

Question 3:
You’re not sure whether something will happen or not, but you think it’s 50-50. What’s the best phrase to use?
A) I doubt
B) I bet
C) Probably
D) Maybe

Question 4:
Which phrase shows you think something is unlikely, but still possible?
A) Probably
B) Maybe
C) I bet
D) I doubt

Question 5:
If you think something is fairly likely, but not guaranteed, which phrase would you use?
A) Probably
B) I doubt
C) Maybe
D) I bet

Question 6:
What is the probability (in percentage) when you say “I doubt”?
A) 70-80%
B) 40-60%
C) 80-90%
D) 20-30%

Question 7:
Which phrase would you use if you’re 60-70% sure something will happen?
A) I bet
B) Probably
C) Maybe
D) I doubt

Answers Key:

  1. C
  2. B
  3. D
  4. D
  5. A
  6. D
  7. B

Guessing Probabilities Quiz

Choose the correct degree of certainty (I bet, probably, maybe, I doubt) to fill in the blanks.

1. Situation: The lights went out.

  • The power company is fixing something. 70%
  • A storm is causing the outage. 90%
  • Someone accidentally cut a wire. 30%
  • It’s just a temporary glitch. 50%
  1. ________ the power company is fixing something.
  2. It is ________ a storm is causing the outage.
  3. ________ someone accidentally cut a wire.
  4. ________ it’s just a temporary glitch.

2. Situation: Your friend didn’t answer their phone.

  • They are busy with work. 80%
  • They forgot their phone at home. 60%
  • Their phone is out of battery. 50%
  • They are ignoring you on purpose. 10%
  1. ________ they are busy with work.
  2. It is ________ they forgot their phone at home.
  3. ________ their phone is out of battery.
  4. ________ they are ignoring you on purpose.

3. Situation: Someone is crying.

  • They just received bad news. 90%
  • They are watching a sad movie. 70%
  • They are feeling stressed out. 50%
  • They are allergic to something. 20%
  1. ________ they just received bad news.
  2. It is ________ they are watching a sad movie.
  3. ________ they are feeling stressed out.
  4. ________ they are allergic to something.

4. Situation: The car won’t start.

  • The battery is dead. 80%
  • There’s no gas in the car. 60%
  • The engine is broken. 30%
  • The weather is too cold for the engine. 50%
  1. ________ the battery is dead.
  2. It is ________ there’s no gas in the car.
  3. ________ the engine is broken.
  4. ________ the weather is too cold for the engine.

5. Situation: Your classmate is late to class.

  • They overslept. 90%
  • Their alarm didn’t go off. 70%
  • They are skipping class. 20%
  • They got stuck in traffic. 50%
  1. ________ they overslept.
  2. It is ________ their alarm didn’t go off.
  3. ________ they are skipping class.
  4. ________ they got stuck in traffic.

6. Situation: Your neighbor is moving.

  • They found a new job in another city. 80%
  • They want a bigger house. 60%
  • They don’t like the area anymore. 40%
  • They are moving in with family. 20%
  1. ________ they found a new job in another city.
  2. It is ________ they want a bigger house.
  3. ________ they don’t like the area anymore.
  4. ________ they are moving in with family.

7. Situation: Someone is looking really happy.

  • They just got a promotion. 80%
  • They heard a funny joke. 50%
  • They met someone they like. 70%
  • They won the lottery. 20%
  1. ________ they just got a promotion.
  2. It is ________ they heard a funny joke.
  3. ________ they met someone they like.
  4. ________ they won the lottery.

8. Situation: The floor is wet.

  • It’s raining outside. 70%
  • Someone spilled water. 50%
  • A pipe is leaking. 30%
  • The janitor just mopped the floor. 90%
  1. ________ it’s raining outside.
  2. It is ________ someone spilled water.
  3. ________ a pipe is leaking.
  4. ________ the janitor just mopped the floor.

9. Situation: You hear loud noises in the kitchen.

  • Someone is cooking. 80%
  • The dishwasher is broken. 50%
  • There’s an animal inside. 20%
  • The window is open and something fell in. 30%
  1. ________ someone is cooking.
  2. It is ________ the dishwasher is broken.
  3. ________ there’s an animal inside.
  4. ________ the window is open and something fell in.

10. Situation: Your friend didn’t show up to a party.

  • They forgot about it. 50%
  • They’re stuck in traffic. 70%
  • They weren’t feeling well. 90%
  • They don’t like parties. 30%
  1. ________ they forgot about it.
  2. It is ________ they’re stuck in traffic.
  3. ________ they weren’t feeling well.
  4. ________ they don’t like parties.

Answer Key:

  1. Probably / I bet / Maybe / Maybe
  2. I bet / Probably / Maybe / I doubt
  3. I bet / Probably / Maybe / I doubt
  4. I bet / Probably / Maybe / Maybe
  5. I bet / Probably / Maybe / Maybe
  6. I bet / Probably / Maybe / I doubt
  7. I bet / Probably / Maybe / I doubt
  8. Probably / Maybe / Maybe / I bet
  9. I bet / Maybe / I doubt / Maybe
  10. Maybe / Probably / I bet / Maybe
Scroll to Top