Antagligen

Antagligen is a Swedish adverb meaning "probably" or "most likely." It is formed from the verb antaga, meaning "to suppose" or "to assume," combined with the adverbial suffix -ligen. The term signals probability or likelihood based on available information, reasoning, or typical indicators rather than certainty.

The word is common in both spoken Swedish and written prose and is used to express a moderate degree of probability. It can modify a whole clause or be placed within a sentence: “Han kommer antagligen imorgon.” “Antagligen blir det svårt, men möjligt.” The nuance is that the statement rests on reasonable grounds, not on definite proof.

Compared with related words, antagligen conveys a similar sense of likelihood as förmodligen and sannolikt, but usage can vary by preference or region. Kanske expresses mere possibility without implying as strong a probability, while möjligen is another hedge with a similar meaning. In many contexts, antagligen sits between kanske and förmodligen in terms of perceived certainty.

Notes for usage: antagligen is not capitalized unless it begins a sentence. It is considered standard in neutral to moderately formal Swedish. In more precise or formal writing, speakers might choose förmodligen or sannolikt to emphasize a stronger likelihood.

See also: Kanske, Möjligen, Förmodligen, Sannolikt, Troligtvis.