it is perhaps that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it is perhaps that" is not correct in English and does not convey a clear meaning.
It seems to be an incomplete thought and lacks proper structure for effective communication. Example: "It is perhaps that we should reconsider our approach."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

The only trouble with it is, perhaps, that reason often drowns any sense of urgency.

The New York Times - Books

It is perhaps that final purpose that book champions emphasize the most.

The New York Times - Books

And it is perhaps that history which is suffocating the club.

The Guardian - Sport

Closer to the nub of it is perhaps that Sorley also said she was "bored".

The Guardian - Opinion

If the British want to learn a modern lesson of 1916, it is perhaps that independence and shared sovereignty are not a zero sum game.

The Guardian - Opinion

But, as we approach the final stretch, it is perhaps that single defeat which will be playing on minds more than anything else, as it came in the reverse fixture to this, the last foray against table-topping Sweden.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

Yet, it's perhaps that lack of progress that will help undo the nation's democratic ideal.

Huffington Post

So it was, perhaps, that the love affair began.

The Guardian - Music

If there was one criticism to be levelled at such a charming package, it's perhaps that the game is not particularly challenging.

Independent

If there's a negative to this remake, it's perhaps that the game has brushed up the graphics and made it all that bit lighter.

Independent

It was perhaps that college girl, all those years ago, whose allure had convinced Nana that she absolutely had to attend college herself.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

For clarity, revise the sentence structure to use "perhaps it is that" or replace the entire phrase with a clearer alternative like "it is possible that".

Common error

Avoid using "it is perhaps that" as it often leads to incomplete thoughts. Instead, complete the sentence to express a clear and direct meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it is perhaps that" functions as an introductory element expressing uncertainty or possibility. While Ludwig shows examples of its usage, Ludwig AI notes its grammatical incorrectness, suggesting it often precedes an explanation or reason.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Science

25%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "it is perhaps that" serves to introduce a statement with a degree of uncertainty, often suggesting a possible explanation or reason. Ludwig shows examples across various sources like news media, science, and academic texts, its usage is not particularly common. As Ludwig AI points out, the phrase is considered grammatically questionable and not the clearest way to convey meaning. Better alternatives include "it is possible that", "perhaps it is because", or restructuring the sentence for improved clarity and impact. Therefore, while you might encounter it, strive for more direct and grammatically sound options in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it is possibly that

Replaces "perhaps" with "possibly", offering a direct synonym for expressing possibility.

it is likely that

Substitutes "perhaps" with "likely", indicating a higher degree of probability.

it is probable that

Similar to "likely", but uses "probable" for a slightly more formal tone.

it may be that

Uses "may be" to express possibility, altering the sentence structure.

perhaps it is because

Changes the sentence to suggest a reason or cause with uncertainty.

it could be that

Replaces "perhaps" with "could be", indicating a potential but not definite scenario.

it might be that

Uses "might be" instead of "perhaps" to express a lower degree of possibility.

maybe it is that

Replaces "perhaps" with "maybe", offering a more informal way to express uncertainty.

possibly it is that

Swaps "perhaps" with "possibly", adjusting the emphasis slightly.

it is conceivable that

Replaces "perhaps" with "conceivable", suggesting that something is imaginable or possible.

FAQs

What does "it is perhaps that" mean?

The phrase "it is perhaps that" is not grammatically sound and often unclear. It's better to use phrases like "it is possible that" or "perhaps it is that" for better clarity.

How can I rephrase "it is perhaps that" for better clarity?

To improve clarity, consider using alternatives such as "it may be that", "it is likely that", or simply "perhaps" followed by a complete sentence.

Is "it is perhaps that" grammatically correct?

No, "it is perhaps that" is not considered grammatically correct in standard English. Using alternatives like "perhaps it is because" or restructuring the sentence is recommended.

What are some alternatives to "it is perhaps that" for academic writing?

In academic writing, clearer and more precise alternatives like "it is conceivable that", "it is probable that", or "it is possible that" are preferable to "it is perhaps that".