احتمالاً و ظاهراً
Probably and Apparently
The ending ـاً marks an adverb, and it is written as a small sign above the last alef.
How It Works
Formal Dari makes many adverbs from Arabic nouns by adding ـاً, which sounds like -an. Afghan news uses these every day.
| Adverb | Meaning | Use |
|---|---|---|
| احتمالاً | probably | a likely future or a likely past event |
| ظاهراً | apparently, it seems | what the facts or the news show |
| حتماً | definitely | a plan or promise you are sure of |
| تقریباً | about, almost | an amount or a time |
The adverb stands first or just before the verb. The verb keeps its ordinary form: احتمالاً فردا برف می‌بارد. Unlike شاید, احتمالاً does not need the subjunctive (see Maybe With شاید).
ظاهراً also goes with the present perfect, for something you have heard: ظاهراً او خبر را شنیده است. In news, it tells the reader that the writer has not checked the fact.
The noun احتمال means chance and needs a verb after it: احتمال دارد که فردا برف ببارد.
Where to meet them: weather reports (احتمالاً برف می‌بارد), travel news (ظاهراً پرواز لغو شده است) and notices. A writer who is sure drops the adverb and states the fact. A writer who has only heard it adds ظاهراً.
Examples (5)
- احتمالاً داکتر صاحب تا ساعت پنج بجه به شفاخانه می‌رسد.
The doctor will probably reach the hospital by five o’clock.
احتمالاً comes first, and the verb می‌رسد stays an ordinary present.
- ظاهراً او این خبر را از رادیو شنیده است.
Apparently she heard this news on the radio.
ظاهراً goes with the present perfect for a report you have heard.
- ظاهراً همه چیز آماده است، اما احتمالاً مهمانان دیر می‌رسند.
Everything looks ready, but the guests will probably arrive late.
One sentence holds both words: ظاهراً for what you see, احتمالاً for a guess.
- احتمالاً این سرک تا آخر هفته بسته می‌ماند.
This road will probably stay closed until the end of the week.
احتمالاً with an ordinary present verb that points to the future.
- ظاهراً پرواز هرات امروز به خاطر هوای بد لغو شده است.
Apparently today's flight to Herat has been canceled because of bad weather.
ظاهراً opens a news report that the writer has not checked.
Common Mistakes
Using the noun احتمال where the adverb belongs.
احتمال فردا برف می‌بارد.احتمالاً فردا برف می‌بارد.احتمال is a noun. To say probably, add ـاً.
How It Connects
Learn This First
These are formal words for maybe.
Related Patterns
Words in This Pattern
Practice احتمالاً و ظاهراً in Bubblegum
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