it possibly contains

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it possibly contains" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express uncertainty about the presence of something within a particular context or item. Example: "The document is lengthy, and it possibly contains important information that we need to review."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Another advantage of CLSM is that it possibly contains by-product materials, thereby reducing the demand on landfills, where these materials may otherwise be deposited and contributing towards the sustainable development [32].

International Journal of Geo-Engineering

Another advantage of CLSM is that it possibly contains by-product materials, thereby reducing the demand on landfills, where these materials may otherwise be deposited and contributing towards the sustainable development (Razak et al. 2009).

International Journal of Geo-Engineering

Although A. gossypii was reported to contain 4718 protein-coding nuclear genes [13], the genome project of this fungus is now in progress ; thus it possibly contains more than 4775 protein-coding genes.

BMC Biology

It possibly contains a high percentage of alginates since Moen et al. [ 2] reported that between 13 and 50% of alginates were resistant to AD, depending upon levels of L. hyperborea polyphenols present and the ratio of calcium and sodium alginate salt forms.

BMC Biotechnology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Radar scans of Tutankhamun's resting place in Luxor have shown a 90% chance that there are two hidden chambers to the rear of it, possibly containing metal and organic material, according to Egypt's antiquities minister, Dr Mamdouh Eldamaty.

The Guardian

An Ohio county judge issued a temporary restraining order obliging Mr Taft to pull one of his 30-second television commercials off the air because it possibly contained fraudulent statements; the state Supreme Court overturned the decision, and now the state elections commission must take a look at it.

The Economist

It possibly contained the information she most wanted, but by then she was too ill even to be told of its existence.Sometimes she went up on the moors with psychics, people with crystals and whatnot, to see if they could sense anything.

The Economist

Mahler may or may not have subtitled it "Tragic" at some stage of its composition, and it could, possibly, contain music that consecrates and depicts his wife Alma.

The Guardian - Music

An undersaturated crude contains gas within, but not as much as it can possibly contain.

Journal of Petroleum Exploration and Production Technology

Writing a top 10 list makes things neat and tidy, but it cannot possibly contain all the wonderful books that came out this year.

Huffington Post

Whilst the final volume of the FTA® Elute extract is four times more dilute than that of the other methods, the concentration of any inhibitory compounds it may possibly contain is too low to cause an inhibitory effect when used according to the manufacturer's instructions.

European Journal of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it possibly contains", ensure the context clearly defines what "it" refers to, avoiding ambiguity for the reader. Use this phrase when you want to express uncertainty about the presence of something in a particular subject.

Common error

Avoid starting multiple consecutive sentences with "possibly". This can make your writing sound repetitive and hesitant. Instead, vary your sentence structure and use synonyms like "perhaps", "maybe", or "potentially" to maintain reader engagement and clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it possibly contains" functions as a hedge, softening a statement about the contents of something. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English, typically used to express uncertainty.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

60%

News & Media

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it possibly contains" is a grammatically correct phrase used to express uncertainty about the contents of something. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase is suitable for various contexts, ranging from scientific reports to news articles. While the phrase is relatively rare, it is widely understood. To improve writing, vary sentence structure and use synonyms to prevent repetitiveness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it might contain

Replaces "possibly" with "might", indicating a similar degree of uncertainty.

it could include

Substitutes "contain" with "include", focusing on the act of inclusion rather than containment.

it may have

Uses "may have" to suggest a possibility of possession, shifting the emphasis slightly.

it potentially includes

Replaces "possibly" with "potentially", highlighting the potential for inclusion.

it is conceivable that it contains

Adds "it is conceivable that", making the possibility more explicit and formal.

it is plausible that it includes

Uses "plausible" to indicate a reasonable possibility of inclusion.

there is a chance it contains

Expresses the possibility as a "chance", changing the sentence structure.

it is suspected to contain

Indicates a suspicion or belief about the contents, adding a layer of conjecture.

it is believed to include

Suggests a common belief or assumption about what is included.

it is rumored to have

Introduces an element of rumor or unverified information about its contents.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "it possibly contains" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "it potentially includes" or "it is conceivable that it contains". These options convey a similar meaning with a more professional register.

What's the difference between "it possibly contains" and "it likely contains"?

"It possibly contains" indicates a lower degree of certainty compared to "it likely contains". The former suggests a possibility, while the latter suggests a higher probability. Consider using "it likely contains" when there is more evidence supporting the inclusion.

Is "it possibly contains" appropriate for scientific writing?

Yes, "it possibly contains" is appropriate for scientific writing when expressing uncertainty about the composition or properties of a substance. However, be prepared to provide supporting evidence or acknowledge the speculative nature of the claim.

What are some synonyms for "possibly" in the phrase "it possibly contains"?

Synonyms for "possibly" in this context include "perhaps", "maybe", "potentially", and "conceivably". Using alternatives like "it perhaps contains", "it maybe contains" or "it potentially contains" can add nuance and variety to your writing.