could possible be

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "could possible be" is not correct in English; it should be "could possibly be." You can use it when speculating about a situation or possibility in a hypothetical context.
Example: "There could possibly be a delay in the project due to unforeseen circumstances."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

"I don't see how she could possible be available because she is doing 'Glee,' " Mr. Sher said.

The New York Times

Short version: This could possible be the best multipurpose messenger bag ever made — even with the ridiculous geometric pattern.

TechCrunch

This could possible be the answer to dwellers of shoe-box sized apartments looking for a full-featured HTPC.

TechCrunch

Messenger bag  Great, all-around bag  $89 MSRP  From the review: "This could possible be the best multipurpose messenger bag ever made — even with the ridiculous geometric pattern".

TechCrunch

I cannot see how anyone with the courage to express himself, as you did, could possible be responsible.

Huffington Post

I wasn't sure how long I would be able to continue because I wasn't sure how many more Housewives there could possible be left in me.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

Could he possible be the next Triple Crown winner?

The New York Times

And so there couldn't possible be a mistake, the instruction sheet added.

The New Yorker

This couldn't possible be any better," right?

Vice

How could you possible be angry at that?

Huffington Post

Instead, he postured, the best school you could possible attend was Penn State.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When expressing potential, consider alternatives like "could potentially be" for emphasis.

Common error

Avoid placing "possible" directly after "could". This construction is grammatically incorrect. Always use the adverb form "possibly".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "could possible be" is intended to express possibility or potential. It attempts to combine the modal verb "could" with the adjective "possible", but it results in a grammatically incorrect construction. As Ludwig AI points out, the correct form uses the adverb "possibly".

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

33%

Wiki

18%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "could possible be" appears in various sources, it is grammatically incorrect. The correct phrasing is "could possibly be", using the adverb "possibly" to modify the verb. As Ludwig AI shows, this error can undermine clarity and credibility, especially in formal contexts. While the phrase's intended function is to express possibility, it's best to use grammatically sound alternatives like "could potentially be" or "might possibly be" to ensure clear and effective communication. Always prioritize correct grammar to maintain professionalism and precision in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

could possibly be

Corrects the original phrase by placing the adverb "possibly" in its proper position between the modal verb and the main verb.

might possibly be

Replaces "could" with "might", offering a slightly weaker degree of possibility while retaining the correct adverb placement.

may possibly be

Substitutes "could" with "may", indicating a similar level of possibility with correct adverb usage.

could potentially be

Replaces "possibly" with "potentially", offering a different shade of meaning related to potential outcomes.

might potentially be

Combines "might" and "potentially" for a weaker and slightly more formal expression of possibility.

may potentially be

Uses "may" and "potentially" to express a sense of possibility with an emphasis on potential.

could conceivably be

Replaces "possibly" with "conceivably", suggesting that something is imaginable or believable.

might conceivably be

Combines "might" and "conceivably" for a less certain yet imaginable scenario.

may conceivably be

Uses "may" and "conceivably" to express possibility within the realm of what can be imagined.

could be possible

Rephrases the sentence structure using "could be" and "possible" separately, which, although syntactically correct, often introduces redundancy.

FAQs

What is the correct way to use the phrase "could possibly be"?

The correct way to use the phrase is to include the adverb "possibly" between "could" and "be". For example, "There "could possibly be" a delay."

What are some alternatives to "could possible be"?

Alternatives include "could potentially be", "might possibly be", or "may possibly be", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "could possible be" grammatically correct?

No, "could possible be" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is ""could possibly be"", where "possibly" is an adverb modifying the verb "be".

How does "could possibly be" differ from "could potentially be"?

"Could possibly be" indicates a general possibility, while "could potentially be" emphasizes that something has the capacity or potential to happen.