Pedants' Paradise

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

Are the words "probable" and "likely" synonyms?

Probably.


(Although "Likely the best lager in the world" doesn't sound "right" - mind you, with the peasel's wiss it was advertizing ... )

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

Thurther foughts:

http://crosstalk.cell.com/blog/youre-probably-confusing-likely-and-probably

(It suggests that Alpie's additional "more" is when "likely" is used as an adverb, as opposed to an adjective - such as in "The Likely Lads".)

[Serial_Apologist]

Thurther foughts:

http://crosstalk.cell.com/blog/youre-probably-confusing-likely-and-probably

(It suggests that Alpie's additional "more" is when "likely" is used as an adverb, as opposed to an adjective - such as in "The Likely Lads".)

Wouldn't likely have to become likelily, in its adverbial version, though?

[Pulcinella]

Wouldn't likely have to become likelily, in its adverbial version, though?

In all likelihood, probably it would!


PS: But, as french frank says in #3472, it probably didn't because of being awkward to articulate.

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

like¦ly
[ˈlʌɪkli]

ADJECTIVE
such as well might happen or be true; probable:
"speculation on the likely effect of opting out" · [more]
synonyms: probable · distinctly possible · to be expected ·
apparently suitable; promising:
"a likely-looking spot"
synonyms: suitable · appropriate · apposite · fit · fitting ·

ADVERB
probably:
"we will most likely go to a bar"
synonyms: probably · in all probability · presumably · no doubt · [more]

[Bryn]

So basically "like as not".

[french frank]

Wouldn't likely have to become likelily, in its adverbial version, though?

No. Because when people are faced with sounds they find awkward to articulate, they simplify them! :smilily: Only a pedant would insist on consistent accuracy …

[vinteuil]

No. Because when people are faced with sounds they find awkward to articulate, they simplify them! :smilily: Only a pedant would insist on consistent accuracy …

... but that wd be a bad pedant, an erroneous pedant.

And as we know, many an adverb does not end in -ly.



.

[Bryn]

... but that wd be a bad pedant, an erroneous pedant.

And as we know, many an adverb does not end in -ly.



.

Like as notly.

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

No. Because when people are faced with sounds they find awkward to articulate, they simplify them! :smilily: Only a pedant would insist on consistent accuracy …

Must be awkward for anyone who has a friend called Lily, whom they like?

[vinteuil]

Must be awkward for anyone who has a friend called Lily, whom they like?

... but no less for those who have a friend called Lee, whom they like??

[Serial_Apologist]

Like as notly.

An interesting place to visit:

http://www.visitparks.co.uk/places/great-notley-country-park/

"... one of the few places that can entertain teenagers as well as littlies"

[Serial_Apologist]

... but no less for those who have a friend called Lee, whom they like??

But that's not like Lee!

[ahinton]

Must be awkward for anyone who has a friend called Lily, whom they like?

The ultimate reliable authority here must surely be Michael Finnissy (pace Lylyly li)?...

[french frank]

Must be awkward for anyone who has a friend called Lily, whom they like?

Interesting - but if you compare:'[I] like Lily', and 'likelily' there are variations in pronunciation, mainly because Lily carries a certain amount of stress on the first syllable whereas in likelily as an adverb the word stress is on the first syllable only - a dactyl. Plus the preponderance of ls/l's is offputting. Something must be done. Solution = likely