The Subjunctivisor!
Does il est probable / c’est probable require the subjunctive?
Il est probable / C’est probable may require the subjunctive, depending on whether it is used affirmatively, negatively, or interrogatively:
Par exemple…
Il est probable / C’est probable que la course sera annulée.
It’s probable that the race will be cancelled.Il n’est pas probable / Ce n’est pas probable que la course soit annulée.
It’s not probable that the race will be cancelled.Est-il probable / Est-ce probable que la course soit annulée ?
Is it probable that the race will be cancelled?
À noter : The above is correct according to Le Bon Usage and Le Grand Robert, among others. However, so many native speakers mistakenly use the subjunctive after il est probable que in the affirmative (no doubt influenced by il est possible) that the rules have become muddled. Grammarians wince as the language evolves.
Il est / C’est probable is an impersonal expression.
Related: Does il est improbable need the subjunctive?
The Subjunctivisor! | Subjunctive lesson
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