is possibly true

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is possibly true" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing uncertainty or speculation about the truth of a statement or idea. Example: "The theory proposed by the scientist is possibly true, but further research is needed to confirm it."

✓ Grammatically correct

Philosophy

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

Suppose that we agree to think about possibility and necessity in terms of possible worlds: a claim is possibly true just in case it is true in at least one possible world; a claim is necessarily true just in case it is true in every possible world; and a claim is contingent just in case it is true in some possible worlds and false in others.

SEP

The conclusion relies on a form of modal axiom S5, which states that if something is possibly true, then its possibility is necessary (it is possibly true in all worlds).

Wikipedia

According to possible-world semantics, (1) a proposition is necessarily true if (and only if) it is true not only in the actual world but in all possible worlds; and (2) a proposition is possibly true if and only if it is true in at least one possible world, perhaps distinct from the actual world.

Encyclopedia Britannica

That is possibly true, but she isn't a simple case to promote.

The New Yorker

"I think all of this is possibly true of our latest creation, Embryonic.

The Guardian - Music

That is possibly true, but he was also brilliant to watch, a study in smart boxing, and he was, arguably, the best American amateur ever.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

But then the proposition that Socrates does not exist would appear to be possible without being possibly true.

SEP

As we've seen, possibilists believe that there are singular possibilities (i.e., singular propositions that are possibly true) about things that don't actually exist, viz., possibilities involving mere possibilia.

SEP

Unlike the examples from Pollock and Buridan, however, we cannot understand such possibility without possible truth in terms of expressing a possibly true proposition while not being possibly true itself.

SEP

That's possibly true but also possibly a world without joy.

Harvard Business Review

Of the whites, only 6percentt said it was true, and 28percentt said it was possibly true.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When employing "is possibly true", consider providing context or reasons why something might be true. This adds credibility to your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "is possibly true" too frequently in your writing, as it can make your arguments seem weak or indecisive. Instead, vary your language by incorporating stronger assertions or more definitive evidence when available.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is possibly true" functions as a modal qualifier, softening a statement to indicate uncertainty or speculation. As Ludwig AI highlights, its use suggests that something has a chance of being accurate without definitive confirmation.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

29%

Science

24%

Encyclopedias

12%

Less common in

Wiki

12%

Formal & Business

6%

Academia

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "is possibly true" serves as a versatile modal phrase to express uncertainty across diverse contexts. As Ludwig AI confirms, its grammatical correctness and the spectrum of related phrases—ranging from ""may be true"" to "ostensibly true"—offer writers ample options for conveying subtle differences in probability and evidential support. Although common, overreliance on the phrase can weaken arguments, so judicious use is recommended to maintain writing strength and clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

may be true

Expresses a slightly weaker level of certainty than "is possibly true".

could be true

Indicates a potential truth, similar in strength to "is possibly true".

might be true

Suggests a lower probability of being true compared to "is possibly true".

is perhaps true

Emphasizes the uncertainty or speculation about the truth.

is conceivably true

Highlights that something is imaginable or thinkable as true, though not necessarily probable.

is potentially true

Focuses on the possibility of becoming true in the future or under certain conditions.

is arguably true

Indicates that there are arguments supporting the truth, but it is still debatable.

is ostensibly true

Implies that something appears to be true, but further investigation might reveal otherwise.

is seemingly true

Suggests that something gives the impression of being true, but might not be upon closer examination.

is rumored to be true

Indicates that the truth is based on unverified information or hearsay.

FAQs

What does "is possibly true" mean?

The phrase "is possibly true" means that something has a chance of being true, but it is not certain. It indicates a degree of uncertainty or speculation.

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

You can use "is possibly true" to express that something might be the case but requires further verification. For example: "The theory proposed by the scientist "is possibly true", but further research is needed."

What are some alternatives to "is possibly true"?

Alternatives to "is possibly true" include "may be true", "could be true", "might be true", or "is perhaps true". The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is there a difference between "is possibly true" and "is potentially true"?

While both phrases express possibility, "is possibly true" focuses on whether something aligns with reality, while "is potentially true" ("is potentially true") emphasizes a future state or condition where something could become true.