In Russian, there are special words that help express ideas like possibility, need, and permission. Two important phrases that show different levels of possibility are "возможно" (which means "possibly" or "maybe") and "скорее всего" (which means "most likely" or "probably"). Learning how to use these phrases is really important for clear communication, especially in tricky conversations.

1. What They Mean

• Возможно (vózmozhno):
  This word means "maybe." It suggests that something could happen, but we’re not sure how likely it is. It's like saying, "It might happen."

• Скорее всего (skoréye vсёgo):
  This phrase means "most likely." It means something is more likely to happen than not. So, it feels more certain compared to "возможно."

2. When to Use Them

Возможно is best for:

• Uncertain Situations:
  For example: "Возможно, мы встретимся завтра." (Maybe we will meet tomorrow.) Here, we're not sure if the meeting will take place.

• Hypothetical Scenarios:
  For example: "Если будет хорошая погода, возможно, мы пойдем на пикник." (If the weather is nice, we might go for a picnic.) This shows that the outcome is not guaranteed.

Скорее всего is better when:

• The Chances are Higher:
  For example: "Скорее всего, он не придет на встречу." (He is most likely not coming to the meeting.) This means he probably won’t be there.

• Making Assumptions:
  For example: "Она не отвечает на сообщения, так что, скорее всего, она занята." (She isn’t responding, so she is probably busy.) This is a guess based on what we see.

3. Using These Phrases Together

You can mix these phrases in different times and situations:

• Future Statements:

  • "Возможно, я поеду в Москву в следующем месяце." (I might travel to Moscow next month.)
  • "Скорее всего, он будет участвовать в проекте." (He will most likely join the project.)

• If Something Happens:

  • "Если она придет, возможно, она принесет подарок." (If she comes, she might bring a gift.)
  • "Если погода испортится, скорее всего, мы останемся дома." (If the weather gets bad, we will probably stay home.)

4. Practice Exercises

To help you remember, try these exercises:

1. Fill in the blanks with "возможно" or "скорее всего":

   • "________, они уже уехали." (Maybe they have already left.)
   • "________, они не успеют на поезд." (Probably, they won't catch the train.)

2. Change the sentences to use the other phrase:

   • "Возможно, он знает ответ." (Maybe he knows the answer.)
   • Change it to: "Скорее всего, он знает ответ." (He probably knows the answer.)

3. Talk with a partner about the differences in certain situations and decide if you should use "возможно" or "скорее всего."

By understanding the differences between "возможно" and "скорее всего," learners can express different levels of possibility in Russian. This makes their language richer and more detailed. Learning these phrases is important for getting better at Russian grammar.