could have conceivably

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "could have conceivably" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a possibility or hypothetical situation that might have occurred in the past. Example: "Given the circumstances, it could have conceivably led to a different outcome."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

27 human-written examples

Presented with the opportunity to contend for a national championship in a playoff system, both schools could have conceivably won.

The New Yorker

Depending on how the election played out, she could have conceivably ended up chairwoman of the Finance Committee.

The New York Times

An ambitious early dinosaur could have conceivably walked from Argentina to Canada if it had the time.

The New York Times

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

The New Yorker

Some of the best prospects — those in the higher-level minors — could have conceivably been late-summer call-ups to the big leagues.

The New York Times - Sports

Though I could have conceivably taken this knowledge and returned to my omnivorous ways, I like the way I feel physically, and I have never looked back.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

32 human-written examples

Although an ERD was observed following TMS at 95% RMT, this intensity of stimulation could still have conceivably evoked occasional muscle responses even though none were detected visually.

European Journal of Neuroscience

That conceivably could have prevented that tragedy.

The New York Times

Then again, they just conceivably could have been real.

The New York Times - Arts

There are market rates that conceivably could have been used, as Mr. Gensler proposed.

The New York Times

The placebo contained some sugar, which conceivably could have harmed the diabetics.

The New York Times - Health

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "could have conceivably" to indicate a plausible but not necessarily likely past outcome or situation. Ensure the context clearly supports the hypothetical nature of the statement.

Common error

Avoid using "could have conceivably" when a more definite statement is warranted. This phrase implies uncertainty, so reserve it for situations where the outcome was genuinely uncertain or hypothetical.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "could have conceivably" functions as a modal expression, indicating a possibility or hypothetical scenario in the past. It modifies a verb, suggesting that something was possible but not necessarily probable. Ludwig's examples show it frequently used to discuss alternative outcomes or hypothetical situations.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Sports

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "could have conceivably" is a useful phrase for expressing hypothetical possibilities in the past. It is grammatically correct and common, especially in news, science, and sports contexts. According to Ludwig AI, it implies a plausible but not necessarily likely outcome. When using this phrase, ensure that the context supports the hypothetical nature of the statement and avoid overstating the probability. Consider alternatives like "might have possibly" or "could potentially have" for slight variations in emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

might have possibly

Emphasizes possibility with an added layer of uncertainty, slightly more informal.

could potentially have

Highlights potential outcomes, focusing on what was possible under different circumstances.

may have conceivably

Similar in meaning, but the use of "may" suggests a slightly lower degree of certainty.

might conceivably have

Interchanges "could" with "might", altering the perceived level of likelihood subtly.

possibly could have

Reorders the words slightly, putting more emphasis on the possibility itself.

conceivably might have

Shifts emphasis to the conceivability of the situation, implying it's not the most obvious outcome.

it is conceivable that it could have

More formal and explanatory, spreading the phrase into a full clause.

it is possible that it could have

Expands the phrase to emphasize that it is only a possibility.

it's not impossible that it could have

Uses a double negative to express possibility, often implying surprise or disbelief.

under different circumstances, it could have

Adds conditional context, emphasizing the dependency on altered conditions.

FAQs

How to use "could have conceivably" in a sentence?

Use "could have conceivably" to suggest a possible but not necessarily probable past outcome. For example, "If the weather had been better, they "could have conceivably won" the race."

What can I say instead of "could have conceivably"?

You can use alternatives like "might have possibly", "could potentially have", or "may have conceivably" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "could have conceivably" or "could of conceivably"?

"Could have conceivably" is correct. "Could of" is a common misspelling resulting from the contraction "could've". Always use "could have" in formal writing.

What's the difference between "could have conceivably" and "might have possibly"?

Both phrases express possibility in the past, but "could have conceivably" suggests a slightly higher degree of plausibility than "might have possibly". The latter implies a more remote or uncertain possibility.