conceivably

USAGE SUMMARY

'conceivably' is a correct and usable word in written English.
It's used to mean "it is possible to imagine that this might be true or happen". For example, "The new technology could conceivably revolutionize the industry."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"I don't think he [David Cameron] could conceivably start urging people to vote no after all he said about his reasons for being members of the European Union," he said.

The Guardian

The London mayor said: "There is no way Miliband could conceivably govern except with the help of the SNP.

The Guardian

Redwood said he "could not conceivably campaign to stay in the current EU or anything like it".

The Guardian

"Telling a story" has become a cliché among publishers pushing for a bestseller; but this is conceivably what readers now desperately want.

The Guardian - Books

But while Abbott can choose not to show his face in New York, the Australian government cannot conceivably avoid having to front up to UN climate change meetings in Lima, Peru, at the end of this year.

The Guardian

Chief Justice Roberts could conceivably be a sixth vote to uphold – the chief justice surrenders his power to assign the opinion if he joins with the dissenters, and if Kennedy's vote is lost, he may decide to try to moderate the opinion upholding the statute – but I think it's highly unlikely that he would be a fifth.

The Guardian - Opinion

The west cannot conceivably conquer Iran or bomb it into submission.

The Guardian - Opinion

He could conceivably have finished the night reflecting on those misses.

The Guardian - Sport

Now, he is the candidate who has lost two out of the first three states – and could conceivably lose the nomination.

The Guardian - Opinion

Pietersen is among a clutch of other thirtysomethings who helped take England to the top of the Test rankings at one stage, and have been central to three successive Ashes series victories, yet may conceivably also be nearing the end of their international careers.

The Guardian - Sport

As far as an actual lightsaber is concerned, scientists postulate that this technique could conceivably be used to form 3D structures made of light.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "conceivably" to introduce possibilities that might not be immediately obvious, encouraging a broader perspective on a situation. For instance, "The company could conceivably expand its market share by targeting younger demographics."

Common error

Avoid using "conceivably" when you mean something is highly likely or almost certain. "Conceivably" indicates a possibility, not a probability. Saying "The project will conceivably be completed on time" when it's nearly done is misleading.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "conceivably" is to act as an adverb of possibility. It modifies verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs to indicate that something is possible or imaginable, though not necessarily likely. As Ludwig AI explains, it suggests a potential outcome or scenario.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Formal & Business

23%

Science

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "conceivably" functions as an adverb to denote possibility or imaginability. As Ludwig AI indicates, the term is grammatically correct and widely used. Its primary use spans across diverse contexts, mostly in News & Media, Formal & Business and Science, conveying a sense of something that could happen, even if it's not necessarily probable. To avoid misuse, remember that "conceivably" should only be used when discussing genuine possibilities, not near certainties. Alternatives include "possibly" and "potentially", but choose carefully to match your intended nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

possibly

Direct synonym indicating a chance of something occurring or being true.

feasibly

Emphasizes the practicality and achievability of something.

imaginably

Highlights the capacity to imagine or conceive of something.

potentially

Focuses on the inherent possibility of something developing or happening.

perhaps

Indicates a degree of uncertainty or doubt.

maybe

A more informal synonym for "perhaps", suggesting uncertainty.

within the realm of possibility

A longer phrase emphasizing that something is not impossible.

it is not beyond the bounds of possibility

Similar to the above, but more formal and emphatic.

under certain circumstances

Indicates that a possibility is conditional on specific conditions.

in theory

Highlights a possibility that may not be practical or likely in reality.

FAQs

How can I use "conceivably" in a sentence?

"Conceivably" is used to express that something is possible or imaginable. For example, "The company could "conceivably expand" into new markets next year."

What are some alternatives to "conceivably"?

Alternatives include "possibly", "potentially", or "imaginably", each suggesting a degree of possibility or likelihood.

Is it correct to use "conceivably" when something is almost certain?

No, "conceivably" suggests a possibility, not a high probability or certainty. Use it when expressing something that is possible but not necessarily likely.

What is the difference between "conceivably" and "probably"?

"Conceivably" indicates that something is possible, while "probably" suggests a higher likelihood. "It could conceivably rain" means rain is a possibility, whereas "It will probably rain" means rain is likely.