could possibly

USAGE SUMMARY

'could possibly' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something is possible, but may or may not actually occur. For example, you could say "We could possibly finish the project by the end of this week."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Who could possibly know?

The New York Times

You could possibly die.

The Guardian - Sport

What could possibly happen?

The New Yorker

Nobody could possibly dance.

The New Yorker

What could possibly kill him?

The New Yorker

What could possibly go wrong?

The New York Times - Arts

Who could possibly take offense?

The New York Times

What could possibly fit there?

The New York Times

Who could possibly disagree?

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Who could possibly object?

The New York Times

What could possibly... ?

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To strengthen or weaken the degree of possibility, consider alternative phrases. For instance, use "could certainly" for a higher degree of certainty, or "might perhaps" for a lower one.

Common error

While grammatically correct, excessive use of "could possibly" can make your writing sound hesitant and lacking confidence. Vary your language by using stronger verbs or more direct statements when appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "could possibly" functions as a modal auxiliary expressing a degree of possibility or uncertainty. It indicates that something is not certain, but there is a chance it might occur. Ludwig provides numerous examples showcasing this usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Wiki

20%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Forbes

5%

The Guardian - Opinion

1%

Science Magazine

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "could possibly" serves as a modal auxiliary expressing a degree of possibility or uncertainty, suitable for various contexts without being overly formal. Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically correct and commonly used, which is confirmed by the numerous examples extracted from diverse sources such as news articles, academic papers, and wikis. While versatile, it's important to avoid overuse to maintain writing clarity and confidence. Alternatives like "might perhaps" or "may conceivably" can offer subtle variations in meaning. Thus, understanding the nuances of "could possibly" allows for more precise and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

might perhaps

Replaces "could" with "might" and "possibly" with "perhaps" to soften the level of certainty.

may conceivably

Substitutes "could" with "may" and "possibly" with "conceivably", indicating a more theoretical possibility.

is potentially able to

Replaces the modal verb construction with a more descriptive phrase emphasizing potential ability.

is not entirely impossible

Expresses possibility by negating impossibility, creating a more nuanced and indirect statement.

could by any chance

Adds an element of chance or uncertainty, making the possibility seem less likely.

might just

Offers a more casual and concise way to express a slight possibility or hope.

could hardly

Conveys a sense of remote possibility, suggesting that something is unlikely but still within the realm of possibility.

can reasonably

It suggests a possibility based on reason or justification, replacing the more uncertain "possibly" with a qualifier of rationality.

would happen to

Indicates a conditional possibility, dependent on certain circumstances or chance events, conveying a similar degree of uncertainty as "could possibly".

are expected to perhaps

Expresses a possibility based on expectation, with "perhaps" softening the certainty of the prediction.

FAQs

How to use "could possibly" in a sentence?

You can use "could possibly" to indicate a chance or possibility of something happening. For example, "We "could possibly go" to the beach this weekend if the weather is nice."

What can I say instead of "could possibly"?

You can use alternatives like "might perhaps", "may conceivably", or "is potentially able to" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "could possibly" or "could probably"?

Both "could possibly" and "could probably" are grammatically correct, but they convey slightly different meanings. "Could possibly" suggests a weaker possibility than "could probably".

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

"Could" and "might" are often interchangeable, so "could possibly" and "might possibly" are very similar in meaning. However, "might" can sometimes suggest a slightly lower degree of certainty than "could".