could possibly be

USAGE SUMMARY

"could possibly be" is a correct phrase and can be used in written English.
It is often used to express uncertainty or the potential for something to happen. Example: He could possibly be the best candidate for the job, but we still need to review his qualifications.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

What could possibly be new about this?

The New York Times

What could possibly be clearer?

The New York Times

What could possibly be next?

The Guardian - Lifestyle

What could possibly be good about migraine?

Harvard University

What could possibly be wrong with that?

The Guardian

could possibly be wrong with him.

Harvard Business Review

"I know what he could possibly be.

The Guardian - Sport

What flavor could possibly be left?

The New York Times - Food

What could possibly be the next marker?

The Washington Post

What could possibly be driving them away?

The Washington Post

What could possibly be taking so long?

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for stronger emphasis or clarity, consider alternatives like "may well be" or "is likely to be".

Common error

While "could possibly be" is grammatically sound, overuse can make your writing sound hesitant. Vary your language with stronger or more direct alternatives to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "could possibly be" functions as a modal verb phrase, indicating a possibility or potential. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in expressing uncertainty.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Science

22%

Academia

7%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

"Could possibly be" is a versatile phrase used to express possibility or uncertainty. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and common in various contexts, especially in news and media, science and academia. While handy for softening assertions, overusing it can make writing sound hesitant. Consider alternatives like "might be" or "may be" for conciseness, or "must be" for stronger statements. Remember to vary language to keep your writing engaging.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

might potentially be

Replaces "could" with "might" and "possibly" with "potentially", slightly altering the emphasis on likelihood.

may perhaps be

Substitutes "could" with "may" and "possibly" with "perhaps", providing a more formal tone.

could reasonably be

Replaces "possibly" with "reasonably", implying that something is logical or justifiable.

might well be

Replaces "could possibly" with "might well", increasing the degree of possibility or likelihood.

is conceivably be

Replaces "could possibly" with "is conceivably", suggesting something is within the realm of possibility.

may actually be

Substitutes "possibly" with "actually", suggesting a higher level of certainty.

is imaginably be

Substitutes "could possibly" with "is imaginably", indicating something that can be conceived or imagined.

is feasibly be

Substitutes "could possibly" with "is feasibly", denoting something is practical or achievable.

isviably be

Replaces "could possibly" with "is viably", suggesting the alternative is able to develop or survive.

is believably be

Replaces "could possibly" with "is believably", suggesting something is within the realm of belief.

FAQs

How do I use "could possibly be" in a sentence?

"Could possibly be" expresses a degree of uncertainty. For instance, "He "could possibly be" the best candidate" suggests he might be the best, but it's not a certainty.

What can I say instead of "could possibly be"?

You can use alternatives like "might be", "may be", or "is conceivably" depending on the context.

Is "could possibly be" redundant?

While "could" and "possibly" both indicate possibility, using them together emphasizes uncertainty. However, consider if the emphasis is necessary or if a simpler phrase like "could be" is sufficient.

What is the difference between "could possibly be" and "must be"?

"Could possibly be" indicates uncertainty, while "must be" implies a high degree of certainty or logical conclusion. They convey opposite levels of confidence.