Learn Hardcore Russian: Скорее всего, завтра пойдёт град.

Скорее всего is an introductory adverbial phrase meaning “most likely” or “chances are.” It expresses a high degree of probability and qualifies the whole statement that follows.

Why is there a comma after Скорее всего?

Because Скорее всего is a parenthetical (introductory) expression. In Russian, such phrases are set off by commas to separate them from the main clause.

What part of speech is завтра, and how is it used here?

Завтра is an adverb of time meaning “tomorrow.” It indicates when the action (hail falling) is expected to happen.

Why do we use пойдёт instead of будет when talking about hail?

Verbs like идти/пойти (“to go/fall”) are idiomatic with precipitation (rain, snow, hail) to denote the start of the weather event. So пойдёт град literally means “hail will start falling.” You could say будет град, but it’s less natural for forecasting.

What case and number is град, and why is it used that way?

Град is in the nominative singular. In impersonal weather constructions (no explicit subject), the weather noun remains in the nominative as the logical “subject” of the verb.

Is пойдёт perfective or imperfective, and what nuance does that give?

Пойдёт is perfective. It emphasizes the onset of hail—“hail will begin to fall.” The imperfective идёт would describe hail in progress (“it is hailing”).

Can we replace пойдёт with пройдёт? What is the difference?

Пройдёт (from пройти) implies that a shower will pass by. You’d say пройдёт дождь for a rain shower moving through. Пойдёт град focuses on the start of precipitation. Пройдёт град is less common but would suggest a brief hailstorm passing.

Why is the verb in the third-person singular neuter (пойдёт)?

Impersonal weather verbs refer to an implied “it” (neutral). Russian uses the neuter-singular form when there’s no explicit subject: “it will hail.”

Could we omit Скорее всего? How would that change the meaning?

Yes. Завтра пойдёт град simply states “It will hail tomorrow” as a forecast. With Скорее всего, you add uncertainty—“It will most likely hail tomorrow.”

Is this sentence formal or informal? What alternatives could a weather report use?

The sentence is neutral and fine in speech or informal writing. A more formal forecast might say Вероятен град завтра (“Hail is likely tomorrow”) or Ожидается град завтра (“Hail is expected tomorrow”).