might very well

USAGE SUMMARY

"might very well" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to express a strong possibility, e.g. "She might very well be the best candidate for the job".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It might very well be a hit.

Independent

It might very well be true.

Yale University

Cadbury might very well retain its independence.

The New York Times

"Might very well do that," he said.

The New York Times

"Swordfish" might very well do the trick.

The New York Times

"I might very well incur red socks".

The New York Times

The rubble might very well have been their graves.

Columbia University

This might very well be the ancestral case of learning.

Harvard University

Account Services might very well be your cup of tea.

Harvard University

And they might very well find some good deals.

The Washington Post

But it might very well reduce that stockpile significantly.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "might very well" to express a strong possibility or likelihood, especially when you want to sound more formal or emphatic than using just "might".

Common error

Avoid using "might very well" excessively in casual conversation or informal writing; simpler alternatives like "might" or "could" often sound more natural.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "might very well" functions as a modal phrase used to express a strong degree of possibility or likelihood. As seen in the Ludwig examples, it emphasizes that something is quite likely to occur or be true. Ludwig AI confirms the correctness and usability of this phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Academia

39%

Science

9%

Less common in

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "might very well" is a modal phrase used to express a strong degree of possibility or likelihood. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a correct and usable phrase in English, commonly found in News & Media and Academic contexts. While it conveys a heightened sense of probability, simpler alternatives may be preferable in informal settings. This guide provides insights into its proper usage, common errors, and suitable alternatives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

could very well

Emphasizes possibility to a degree similar to "might very well".

may very well

Offers a near synonym, subtly shifting the emphasis from potential to probability.

very likely could

Reorders the emphasis to stress the likelihood before presenting possibility.

very likely may

Rearranges to highlight the high chance of something occurring, akin to "might very well".

it is quite possible

Introduces the idea of possibility in a more descriptive, less direct way.

it is entirely possible

Amplifies the degree of possibility, suggesting no impediment exists.

it's highly probable

Shifts the focus to probability instead of possibility, indicating a strong likelihood.

it's quite likely

Similar to 'highly probable' but conveys a slightly lesser degree of certainty.

it seems probable

Suggests probability based on observation or available information.

it would not be surprising if

Indirectly implies a strong expectation or likelihood without directly stating it.

FAQs

How can I use "might very well" in a sentence?

Use "might very well" to express a strong possibility, such as, "Given the circumstances, he "might very well" succeed".

What does "might very well" mean?

"Might very well" indicates a strong possibility or likelihood that something will happen. It is a more emphatic way of saying "might".

Which is correct, "might very well" or "may very well"?

Both "might very well" and "may very well" are correct and have similar meanings, expressing a strong possibility. "May" often suggests a slightly higher degree of certainty, but they are largely interchangeable.

What can I say instead of "might very well"?

You can use alternatives like "could very well", "may very well", or "very likely could" depending on the context.