Consider the following sentences:
- I'll move to the south by then probably.
- I'll probably move to the south by then.
- I'll move to the south probably by then.
Which of the three is correct. In my opinion, the third one is wrong. First two are correct with a small difference in their meaning.
First one makes my probability refer to the time when I'll be moving and the second one tells that there is still a chance that I might not move.
Am I correct?
Although normally called an "adverb", probably is often used to modify an entire sentence - in which case it normally appears at the beginning (or the end, if it's "parenthetically" added after a comma)...
a: Probably I'll move to the south by then.
b: I'll move to the south by then[,] probably.
In other contexts, syntactically it's more like an adjective than an adverb, in that it normally modifies the immediately following term...
c: I'll move probably to the south by then.
d: I'll move to probably the south by then.
Both of these imply that you will have moved by then (possibly to the north, but most likely to the south).
e: I'll move to the south probably by then.
Implies that you will move to the south (possibly much later, but most likely "by then").
I think
I'll probably move to the south by then.
is the best phrase. Probably being used as an adverb modifying move. Then the flow seems normal and easier to understand.
I (subject) will probably move (action) to the south (where) by then (when).
If the time were specific, you could put (when) at the beginning, for example
Next week I'll probably move to the south.
but with indefinate by then it sounds strange to say it before we know what the topic is, unless its already known from previous context.
I am finishing my classes next week. By then, I'll probably move to the south.
- I´ll move to the south by then probably.
- I'll probably move to the south by then.
- I'll move to the south probably by then.
According to adverb position, number two seems to be the most common position. i.e. before the main verb and after the auxiliary. According to meaning, it emphasizes the probability of the action.
Number two and three are referring to what you want to emphasize more. For example, number one is giving priority to I´ll move to the south by then, whereas the third one prioritize I´ll move to the south. In number one, the probability is not so important and in number three, probably by then - by then is remarked with the probability of taking place by then.
