he is possibly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "he is possibly" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing uncertainty or speculation about someone's state or actions. Example: "He is possibly the best candidate for the job, but we need to conduct further interviews."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

48 human-written examples

He is possibly their best ground fieldsman, after all.

The Guardian - Sport

He is possibly also the Rufus whom the poet Catullus accused of stealing his mistress Clodia.

Britannica

For the first time since meeting Simon, I start to wonder if he is possibly retarded.

The New Yorker

He is possibly my favourite artist – partly because I want to play him, though I'm probably too old now.

The Guardian - Film

These qualities will continue to obscure the fact that he is possibly the most talentless, one-dimensional actor around.

The Guardian - Film

Akinola is the acknowledged leader of the church in the Global South, and as such he is possibly the most powerful figure in Anglicanism.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

12 human-written examples

He's possibly coming in the studio.

The Guardian

But he wasn't; he was possibly in a coma.

The Guardian - Opinion

He was possibly the smartest man who ever lived.

The Guardian

Now he was possibly the subject of a criminal investigation.

The New Yorker

If he's possibly my coach, I believe him.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "he is possibly" when you want to express a degree of uncertainty or speculation, avoiding stronger assertions without concrete evidence.

Common error

Avoid using "he is possibly" too frequently in your writing, as it can make your statements sound weak or indecisive. Vary your language with alternatives like "he might be", "he could be", or stronger assertions if the evidence supports them.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he is possibly" functions as a modal adjunct, expressing the speaker's or writer's assessment of the probability of a statement. It indicates a degree of uncertainty or possibility. According to Ludwig, the phrase is considered grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Encyclopedias

15%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

4%

Social Media

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "he is possibly" is a versatile phrase used to express uncertainty or possibility. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is grammatically correct and common in a variety of contexts, particularly in news and media. When writing, it's crucial to use "he is possibly" when you want to convey that you don't have complete certainty or want to soften your statement. Remember that excessive use can make your writing sound indecisive; therefore, vary your language with suitable alternatives like "he might be" or "he could be". Furthermore, you could choose "he is probably" if you have more certainty regarding what you're writing about.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he might be

A more direct and simple way of expressing possibility.

he may be

Synonymous with “he might be” or “he could be”, indicating a possibility.

he could be

Another straightforward alternative to indicate a possibility.

he is potentially

Replaces 'possibly' with 'potentially', suggesting capability rather than just possibility.

he is presumably

Substitutes 'possibly' with 'presumably', implying an assumption based on evidence, though not definitively proven.

he is apparently

Uses 'apparently' instead of 'possibly', indicating that something seems to be the case based on what is known.

it is not impossible that he is

Expresses possibility by negating impossibility, implying a slightly stronger chance.

chances are he is

An idiomatic expression suggesting a high probability.

it is conceivable that he is

Rephrases the sentence to emphasize the conceivability of the situation.

it is imaginable that he is

Similar to 'conceivable', but emphasizes the ability to imagine the scenario.

FAQs

How can I use "he is possibly" in a sentence?

"He is possibly" is used to express uncertainty or speculation. For example, "He is possibly the best candidate for the job, but we need to conduct more interviews."

What are some alternatives to "he is possibly"?

You can use alternatives like "he might be", "he could be", or "he is potentially" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "he is possibly"?

Yes, "he is possibly" is grammatically correct and commonly used to express uncertainty. Ludwig confirms its validity and provides numerous examples of its use.

What is the difference between "he is possibly" and "he is probably"?

"He is possibly" suggests a lower degree of certainty than "he is probably". "He is possibly" indicates a possibility, while "he is probably" suggests a higher likelihood based on available evidence.