may not conceivably

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "may not conceivably" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express doubt or disbelief about the possibility of something occurring or being true. Example: "Given the evidence presented, it may not conceivably be true that he was unaware of the situation."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Jesse Byock (1990) states that the name Barnstokkr may not conceivably be the original name of the tree, and instead that it is possible that it may have originally been bran(d)stokkr, the first part of the compound potentially having been brandr, (meaning brand or firebrand), a word sometimes synonymous with "hearth", and pointing to a potential connection to the fire burning within the hall.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Conceivably, choreographers may not want to reveal too much with their titles and thereby rob theatergoers of the thrill of discovering a new work's content.

The New York Times - Arts

Conceivably, mHtt may not only affect the transcription machinery of microglial cells but also their capacity to impact the neuronal environment.

Cell Death and Disease

Thinking about it may cause us to grieve; but not, conceivably, to feel glad about our grief.

The New York Times - Books

"You may not want to move and could conceivably commute to a new job location, but it certainly lessens the value of that property".

The New York Times

Additionally, fighters may have not experienced pain with concussion, therefore may not have disclosed an injury which conceivably could lead to underreporting of concussions within this study.

Injury Epidemiology

Yet the real losers may not be the loyalist camp, which could, conceivably, win another election, but rather its foreign sponsors, especially the United States and Saudi Arabia, which had pushed hard for Hizbullah to be cornered.

The Economist

Conceivably Mr Kan's government may not last its term, which runs until 2013.

The Economist

Hence these proteins may not be involved in monoterpene formation and could conceivably form products in addition to GPP in planta.

Phytochemistry

While the scientific taxonomy may not list beliefs as basic cognitive states, it could conceivably still provide the resources for developing a realist interpretation of these and other folk psychological states.

SEP

Conceivably, UC patients who underwent colectomy may not have been coded for either UC or colectomy, though this misclassification error is likely far less than 2.6%.

BMC Gastroenterology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "may not conceivably" to express a considered, but ultimately doubtful, possibility. It's best suited for formal writing where nuance is important.

Common error

Avoid using "may not conceivably" when you intend to convey absolute impossibility. This phrase suggests a slight chance, whereas stronger phrases like "cannot possibly" are more appropriate for certainties.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "may not conceivably" functions as a modal hedge, softening a statement and expressing a degree of uncertainty or doubt. It indicates that something is unlikely, though not entirely impossible. Ludwig examples confirm this usage, showing its role in speculative or cautious assertions.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

43%

News & Media

43%

Wiki

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "may not conceivably" is a tool for expressing considered doubt, signaling that something is unlikely but not entirely impossible. As Ludwig AI confirms, this construction is grammatically correct and mainly pops up in scientific and news contexts, indicating formal usage. Alternatives such as "is unlikely to" or "cannot possibly" offer varying degrees of certainty. When writing, use "may not conceivably" to maintain a balance between skepticism and open-mindedness, especially when certainty is not attainable or appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is unlikely to

Suggests a low chance of occurrence or truth.

is not at all likely

Directly states the low likelihood of an event.

cannot possibly

Emphasizes impossibility rather than remote possibility.

is highly improbable

Focuses on the low probability of an event or situation.

is hardly imaginable

Highlights the difficulty in conceiving or envisioning something.

is scarcely believable

Indicates a significant degree of doubt or skepticism.

is remotely possible

Emphasizes the small chance that something might happen.

is out of the question

Indicates that something is not worth considering.

is beyond the realm of possibility

Highlights the extreme unlikelihood of an event.

it stretches credulity

Implies that something is difficult to believe or accept.

FAQs

How can I use "may not conceivably" in a sentence?

Use "may not conceivably" to express a low probability or a situation you find hard to believe. For example, "It may not conceivably be true that he was unaware of the situation."

What are some alternatives to "may not conceivably"?

You can use alternatives such as "is unlikely to", "cannot possibly", or "is hardly imaginable" depending on the context.

Which is more emphatic, "may not conceivably" or "cannot possibly"?

"Cannot possibly" is more emphatic. "May not conceivably" suggests a small chance, while "cannot possibly" indicates impossibility.

When is it appropriate to use "may not conceivably"?

It's appropriate when you want to express doubt while acknowledging a remote possibility. Avoid using it when you mean to express something is absolutely impossible.