conceivably true

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "conceivably true" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the possibility or plausibility of a statement or idea being accurate or valid. Example: "While the theory may seem far-fetched, it is conceivably true that such phenomena could occur under specific conditions."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

If one is to conclude that formaldehyde is a "known" human leukemogen, one must assert not only that these hypothesized modes of action are conceivably true but that it is indeed known that one of them is true, for otherwise an essential and utterly necessary element of the causal conclusion is missing.

Critical Reviews in Toxicology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

The same might conceivably be true of Bill Gates, judging from the tone of the jokes you find about him on the Internet (several of which place him in hell).

The New York Times - Magazine

In a foreword he added to the second edition of Brave New World, Aldous Huxley wrote: "Whatever its artistic or philosophical qualities, a book about the future can interest us only if its prophecies look as though they might conceivably come true".

The Guardian - Books

Although these sentences are consistent, they "could not conceivably be true in any circumstances" (O'Connor 1948, 358).

SEP

Could it conceivably be true?

Huffington Post

This would imply considering that some of these predictions could conceivably be true while others would – simultaneously – be false.

Plosone

It has been recently suggested [31] that differential secondary structure of RNA alleles may interfere with quantitative comparisons through a differential effect on the efficiency of reverse transcription, creating spurious allelic imbalance or conceivably masking true imbalance (if it happens to be exactly equal and in the opposite direction).

Plosone

Conceivably, this is true for 10% of patients covered and thus contributing with 10% to a total percentage of OTC-drug non-adherence.

The Journal of Headache and Pain

But as Fernández-Flores alludes to in his story, life expectancy in the 21st and 22nd centuries could conceivably skyrocket to true Methuselah levels.

Vice

Because of this possibility, it is conceivable to think that while it may take a lot more work than it should, the voters could at least theoretically become aware of issues and candidates' positions, and therefore, their votes could conceivably represent their true interests if they just take the time and energy to do their homework.

Huffington Post

Imperfect specificity of the alcoholism diagnosis (a high false-positive rate) could conceivably bias a true positive association towards the null.

British Journal of Cancer

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "conceivably true" when you want to express that something could be true, but it's not certain. Be mindful of the context and ensure it aligns with the degree of possibility you intend to convey.

Common error

Avoid using "conceivably true" when you mean something is definitely true or highly probable. This phrase implies a degree of doubt or uncertainty.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "conceivably true" functions as an adverbial modifier qualifying the adjective 'true'. It serves to soften a statement, indicating that something might be the case, without asserting it definitively. Ludwig provides numerous examples showing its role in introducing hypothetical or uncertain scenarios.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "conceivably true" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression, indicating that something is possibly, but not certainly, true. According to Ludwig, it is commonly found in news media and scientific contexts, suggesting a neutral to formal register. While there's a range of related phrases like "potentially true" or "arguably true", the choice depends on the specific nuance you aim to convey. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, using "conceivably true" appropriately involves being mindful of the degree of possibility and avoiding overstatement. The phrase is versatile but requires careful consideration to ensure it accurately reflects the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

potentially true

Focuses on the inherent possibility of being true.

possibly true

Suggests a degree of uncertainty about the truth.

conceivably accurate

Replaces "true" with a synonym, focusing on the accuracy of the statement.

arguably true

Implies that there is a case to be made for its truth.

ostensibly true

Indicates that it appears to be true, but may not be upon closer inspection.

theoretically true

Highlights that it holds true within a specific theoretical framework.

perhaps true

Expresses a tentative acceptance of its truth.

believably true

Indicates that something is easy to believe.

logically consistent

Focuses on the logical consistency of the statement, implying potential truth.

plausibly correct

Suggests a reasonable chance of being correct.

FAQs

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

You can use "conceivably true" to express a possibility, like: "While the theory may seem far-fetched, it is "conceivably true" that such phenomena could occur under specific conditions."

What are some alternatives to "conceivably true"?

Some alternatives to "conceivably true" include "potentially true", "possibly true", or "arguably true". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is "conceivably true" formal or informal?

"Conceivably true" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, consider your audience and choose the phrasing that best fits the tone of your writing.

What's the difference between "conceivably true" and "probably true"?

"Conceivably true" suggests a possibility, while "probably true" suggests a higher likelihood or a greater degree of confidence.