except possibly

USAGE SUMMARY

"except possibly" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to indicate an unlikely situation or exception. For example, "Everyone in the office had to work on the weekend, except possibly the interns."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Except possibly in a very limited sense.

WikiHow

(Except possibly baseball).

The New Yorker

Except, possibly, for Mrs. Blossom.

The New York Times - Magazine

Except, possibly, Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin.

The Guardian

Nothing remains here to frighten anyone, except possibly diabetics.

The New York Times

— was lost on no one except, possibly, Beck.

The New Yorker

Except possibly for The 18th Brumaire of Louis Napoleon.

The New Yorker

But who really knows except, possibly, Jarvis himself?

The Guardian - Music

It looks an idyllic life, except possibly for the dogs.

The Guardian - Travel

But he was after all a peculiar genius with no modern equivalent, except possibly Kafka.

The Guardian

Liquid metallic hydrogen does not naturally occur on Earth — except possibly at the core.

The New York Times - Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "except possibly" to introduce a specific, often unlikely, exception to a general statement. This helps to refine your claims without overstating them.

Common error

Avoid using "except possibly" after statements that are already highly qualified or uncertain. It can create unnecessary hedging and weaken your argument.

Linguistic Context

"Except possibly" functions as a qualifying adverbial phrase. It introduces an exception to a preceding statement, softening the assertion by acknowledging a potential, though unlikely, deviation. Ludwig confirms that this usage is grammatically sound and contextually appropriate.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

25%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Academia

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

"Except possibly" is a versatile phrase used to introduce a specific, often unlikely, exception to a general statement. As Ludwig AI points out, it is grammatically correct and usable in written English. The phrase is commonly found in news and media, scientific writing, and even informal contexts like Wiki, adding nuance and precision to statements. While alternatives such as "unless perhaps" or "excluding maybe" exist, "except possibly" strikes a balance between formality and clarity. When writing, remember to use it judiciously to avoid unnecessary hedging and to strengthen, rather than weaken, your argument.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Unless perhaps

Emphasizes the condition that would negate the main statement, adding a slightly more formal tone.

Save perhaps

Indicates an exception, carrying a slightly more concise and literary feel.

Excluding maybe

More informal, directly pointing out an exclusion with a touch of uncertainty.

Possibly excluding

Shifts the emphasis to the exclusion itself, portraying it as a possibility.

Except, conceivably

Replaces 'possibly' with 'conceivably', suggesting something is imaginable but not necessarily likely.

Apart from the possibility of

More verbose and formal, drawing attention to the potential exception.

With the possible exception of

Formal and emphasizes the exceptional nature of what follows.

Barring the chance of

Highlights the unlikelihood of the exception, setting it as something improbable.

Other than potentially

Emphasizes the hypothetical nature of the exception, adding a layer of uncertainty.

Unless it could be that

Introduces a speculative tone, suggesting the exception is a matter of conjecture.

FAQs

How can I use "except possibly" in a sentence?

Use "except possibly" to introduce a specific exception to a general statement, for instance: "Everyone enjoyed the movie, "except possibly" John, who fell asleep."

What are some alternatives to "except possibly"?

Alternatives include "unless perhaps", "excluding maybe", or "with the possible exception of", depending on the context and desired level of formality.

Is it ever incorrect to use "except possibly"?

While grammatically correct, overuse can weaken your writing. Avoid using it in situations where the exception is already implied or the statement is overly qualified.

What's the difference between "except possibly" and "except probably"?

"Except possibly" suggests a lower likelihood of the exception than "except probably". Use "except possibly" when the exception is unlikely but conceivable, and "except probably" when the exception is more plausible.