might still be

USAGE SUMMARY

"might still be" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used when something is uncertain or unlikely. For example, "He might still be alive, but I haven't heard from him in years."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It might still be.

Independent

Policymakers might still be persuaded.

The Economist

There might still be ranching here".

The New York Times - Travel

Others might still be hidden, he said.

The New York Times

A mediator might still be needed.

The Economist

But there might still be a backlash.

The Economist

I might still be struggling with that.

Independent

The pricing gap might still be there.

The New York Times

It might still be there.

The New York Times

That might still be possible.

The New York Times

And he might still be.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "might still be" when you want to express a possibility that something continues to exist or be true, especially when there's some doubt or uncertainty involved. For example, "The keys might still be in the car, though I'm not sure."

Common error

Avoid using "might still be" when the situation requires a more definitive statement. Overusing it can make your writing sound hesitant or uncertain when clarity is needed. For instance, in a legal document, replace "might still be" with more affirmative language if the fact is established.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "might still be" functions as a modal phrase used to express a present possibility or a degree of uncertainty regarding a current state or future outcome. It indicates that something is possibly ongoing or true at the moment of speaking or writing. Ludwig provides many examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Science

14%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "might still be" is a versatile expression used to convey possibility and uncertainty regarding current or future states. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely used across diverse contexts, particularly in news and media, scientific, and wiki sources. To achieve semantic similarity one can consider alternatives like "could still be" or "may still be". When writing, be mindful of overuse in situations demanding more definitive language.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

could still be

Replaces "might" with "could", suggesting a slightly higher degree of possibility.

may still be

Substitutes "might" with "may", which conveys a similar level of uncertainty.

could potentially be

Adds "potentially" to emphasize the possibility aspect.

it is still possible that

Rephrases the idea into a more formal and explicit statement of possibility.

there's still a chance of

Shifts the focus to the existence of an opportunity, using a more optimistic tone.

it remains a possibility that

Uses a more formal and cautious tone, emphasizing the continuation of a possibility.

it is conceivable that

Indicates that something is believable or imaginable, though not necessarily likely.

one cannot rule out the possibility of

Presents a more forceful assertion that something is still possible.

it hasn't been ruled out that

Focuses on the fact that something has not been disproven, implying possibility.

perhaps it continues to be

Emphasizes the continuation of a state, using "perhaps" to introduce uncertainty.

FAQs

How can I use "might still be" in a sentence?

Use "might still be" to express a possibility that something continues to exist or be true. For instance, "Even though it's late, the restaurant "might still be" open".

What are some alternatives to "might still be"?

Alternatives include phrases like "could still be", "may still be", or "it is "still possible"", depending on the context and the degree of certainty you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "might can be" instead of "might still be"?

No, "might can be" is grammatically incorrect. "Might" is a modal verb, and it should be followed by the base form of the verb, such as "be". The correct phrase is ""might still be"" or simply "might be".

What's the difference between "might still be" and "might have been"?

"Might still be" refers to a present or future possibility, while "might have been" refers to a past possibility that did not occur. For example, "He "might still be" at the office" (present possibility) versus "He might have been at the office, but I didn't see him" (past possibility).