is possibly not

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of the sentence 'is possibly not' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express uncertainty about a situation. For example: This is possibly not the best time to ask for a raise.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

("Is this a friend of yours?" asks Javier, who is from Argentina, where self-help is possibly not so prevalent. "This woman who talks to you").

Los Angeles Times

The solution is possibly not, at this stage, to get them all drinking more.

The Guardian - Opinion

So an upmarket 4-star hotel is possibly not the best way to mark his legacy.

The Guardian

Though saying you're in Anonymous is possibly not the most obvious CV-building step, I venture.

The Guardian - Tech

The narrator is possibly not human or cannot relate to human love and connections.

The New York Times

This is possibly not a good sign, and yet the reaction isn't hard to explain.

The New York Times

This is usually taken to mean that it is a case of suicide, though it is possibly not the case.

The Guardian

This is possibly not the news that a lot of people wanted to see about Elder Scrolls.

The Guardian - Games

Two of the entrees, shrimp and pork, are not kosher, and a third, sausage, is possibly not kosher.

The New York Times

A single Facebook comment thread, indeed, is possibly not the best place for a large-scale book group.

The Guardian - Opinion

However，the output power of CAES is possibly not high due to low temperature of the compressed air entering air turbine.

Energy and Buildings

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "is possibly not" to express uncertainty or to soften a negative statement. This allows you to introduce a degree of doubt or possibility, rather than making a definitive assertion.

Common error

Avoid using "is possibly not" excessively, as it can make your writing sound hesitant or indecisive. Strive for a balance between expressing uncertainty and making clear statements.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is possibly not" functions as a qualifying expression, introducing uncertainty or doubt into a statement. It is frequently used to soften a negative assertion, as confirmed by Ludwig AI, allowing for a more nuanced perspective. It functions as a hedge, reducing the force of the claim.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Science

34%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "is possibly not" is a versatile expression used to introduce uncertainty or tentativeness into a statement. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability in various contexts. While it's frequently used in both news and scientific domains, it's important to consider the level of formality required for the specific writing context. Alternatives like "is arguably not" or "is perhaps not" can provide similar meanings with slightly different nuances. Avoid overuse to maintain clarity and impact in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is arguably not

Replaces 'possibly' with 'arguably', suggesting the statement is open to debate.

is maybe not

Uses 'maybe' instead of 'possibly' for a slightly more informal tone.

is perhaps not

Substitutes 'possibly' with 'perhaps' for a more literary feel.

is conceivably not

Replaces 'possibly' with 'conceivably', implying the statement is imaginable but not certain.

is potentially not

Uses 'potentially' to emphasize the possibility rather than the likelihood.

is likely not

Emphasizes a higher probability of being untrue compared to "is possibly not".

is presumably not

Replaces 'possibly' with 'presumably', implying an assumption based on evidence.

is apparently not

Uses 'apparently' to suggest the statement is based on available information but not confirmed.

is ultimately not

Adds an element of time, indicating a final outcome of negation.

is absolutely not

Emphasizes certainty of negation, a stronger assertion than "is possibly not".

FAQs

How can I use "is possibly not" in a sentence?

Use "is possibly not" when you want to express uncertainty or a tentative negation. For example, "This solution is possibly not the most efficient, but it will work for now."

What's a good alternative to "is possibly not"?

Consider using phrases like "is arguably not", "is perhaps not", or "is potentially not" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

When is it better to use "is possibly not" instead of "is not"?

"Is possibly not" is more appropriate when you want to acknowledge that there's a chance something could be true, while "is not" is a definitive statement. Using "is possibly not" adds a layer of nuance and avoids making an absolute claim.

Is "is possibly not" too informal for professional writing?

While generally acceptable, "is possibly not" can sometimes sound less formal. For professional contexts, consider alternatives like "is presumably not" or rephrasing the sentence to achieve a more formal tone.