conceivably happened

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "conceivably happened" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing events or situations that could have occurred, but are not confirmed or certain. Example: "Given the circumstances, it is possible that the incident conceivably happened during the night."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

What could have conceivably happened [with the fifty-four cases] if the Section 215 bulk-metadata program weren't there?

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

"I think it could conceivably happen, but to what end?

The Guardian

This is something akin to what happened at Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac -- and it could conceivably happen again.

The New York Times

It could conceivably happen with bill-paying services that aren't F.D.I.C.-insured".

The New York Times

Referring to the primaries on March 2, Mr. Barnes added, "It's going to be hard to do, but if he had a big day on March 2, it could conceivably happen".

The New York Times

The same thing could conceivably happen in the state's gubernatorial race, in which several prominent Democrats have joined the race to replace Jerry Brown, who can't run again because of term limits.

The New Yorker

The same deterioration could conceivably happen at the Emirates as well and it was intriguing to get Ferguson's take on it at his recent book launch, a clear warning that Arsenal's supporters should be careful what they wished for.

The Guardian - Sport

Well, in this case, two things could conceivably happen.

Huffington Post

But it could conceivably happen if things got seriously out of hand.

Los Angeles Times

It could conceivably happen that your fingerprints on your mother's Crock-Pot, or your signature on an expired warranty card, could land you in custody.

Vice

So what might conceivably happen is that the Republican field focuses so strongly on Hillary at the very beginning of their primary race that they run out of ammo by the time the general election rolls around.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "conceivably happened" when discussing events that are plausible but not confirmed. It adds a layer of speculation without dismissing the possibility entirely.

Common error

Avoid using "conceivably happened" when you have concrete evidence or confirmation of an event. It can weaken your argument by introducing unnecessary doubt.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "conceivably happened" functions as an adverbial modifier to describe a situation that is plausible but not confirmed. As Ludwig AI explains, it indicates a possibility or something that could have taken place. The examples provided by Ludwig illustrate its use in speculative contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "conceivably happened" is a phrase used to express a plausible but unconfirmed event. According to Ludwig AI, it's grammatically correct and best suited for contexts where speculation or uncertainty is involved. While alternative phrases such as "possibly occurred" or "potentially transpired" exist, the choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey. It is important to avoid overstating certainty by not using the phrase when concrete evidence exists. The phrase is most commonly found in news and media sources, and Ludwig considers it to be correct English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Potentially occurred

Replaces 'conceivably' with 'potentially', suggesting a possibility based on existing conditions.

Possibly transpired

Substitutes 'happened' with 'transpired', giving a slightly more formal tone.

Theoretically unfolded

Replaces 'happened' with 'unfolded', emphasizing a process or sequence of events.

Imaginably taken place

Uses 'imaginably' to highlight the hypothetical nature of the occurrence.

Believably occurred

Emphasizes the plausibility of the event.

Presumably happened

Introduces an element of presumption based on available evidence.

Arguably transpired

Suggests that the event's occurrence is open to debate or interpretation.

Feasibly taken place

Highlights the feasibility or practicality of the event's occurrence.

Plausibly unfolded

Focuses on the believable sequence of events that could have occurred.

Logically occurred

Implies that the event is a reasonable outcome based on the situation.

FAQs

How can I use "conceivably happened" in a sentence?

You can use "conceivably happened" to describe a situation that might have occurred but is not certain. For example: "Given the lack of witnesses, the accident "conceivably happened" late at night."

What are some alternatives to "conceivably happened"?

Alternatives include "possibly occurred", "potentially transpired", or "imaginably taken place", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "could conceivably happen"?

Yes, "could conceivably happen" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase. It expresses a possibility, suggesting that something is within the realm of what's imaginable or feasible.

What is the difference between "conceivably happened" and "definitely happened"?

"Conceivably happened" suggests a possibility, while "definitely happened" indicates certainty. Use "conceivably happened" when you are speculating or presenting a possible scenario, and "definitely happened" when you have solid evidence.