perhaps they

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "perhaps they" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when suggesting a possibility or uncertainty regarding a subject or group of people. Example: "Perhaps they will join us for dinner later."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Perhaps they will again.

Independent

Perhaps they are right.

The Economist

Perhaps they blame themselves.

The Economist

Perhaps they should not.

The Economist

Perhaps they are similar.

The New York Times

Perhaps they did.

The New York Times

Perhaps they are bad.

The New York Times

Perhaps they have.

The Economist

Perhaps they do.

The New York Times

"Perhaps they weren't".

The New York Times - Books

But perhaps they do.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "perhaps they" to introduce a tentative explanation or suggestion, avoiding definitive statements when uncertainty exists.

Common error

While "perhaps they" is suitable for general use, overuse in formal documents can make your writing sound indecisive. Substitute with stronger verbs or more definitive statements when appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "perhaps they" functions as an adverbial modifier, expressing uncertainty or possibility regarding a statement about a group. It introduces a degree of speculation, making the statement less assertive. Ludwig confirms its common usage in expressing possibility.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Formal & Business

1%

Science

1%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "perhaps they" is a versatile phrase used to express possibility or speculation, primarily within news and media contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage. While it maintains a neutral register, writers should be mindful of the context and potential overuse in highly formal settings. Related phrases, such as "maybe they" or "possibly they", offer alternative ways to convey similar meanings. By understanding its function and potential pitfalls, writers can effectively incorporate "perhaps they" into their writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

maybe they

Replaces "perhaps" with "maybe", a more informal synonym expressing possibility.

possibly they

Substitutes "perhaps" with "possibly", indicating a potential but not definite scenario.

it's possible that they

Expands the phrase to a full clause, emphasizing the possibility with a slightly more formal tone.

it's conceivable that they

Uses "conceivable" instead of "possible", suggesting something is imaginable or believable.

they might

Replaces "perhaps" with the modal verb "might", offering a concise way to express uncertainty.

they could

Uses "could" instead of "might", implying a potential ability or opportunity.

it is possible for them to

Emphasizes the possibility of an action or state relating to "them", offering a more structured and somewhat formal tone.

it could be that they

Introduces the possibility with "it could be that", providing a conversational and less direct tone.

chances are they

Expresses likelihood using "chances are", suggesting a higher probability than "perhaps".

presumably they

Suggests something is likely to be true based on assumptions, replacing "perhaps" with a term implying expectation.

FAQs

How can I use "perhaps they" in a sentence?

"Perhaps they" is used to express a possibility or suggestion regarding a group of people. For example: "Perhaps they will attend the meeting", or "Perhaps they are already aware of the situation".

What are some alternatives to "perhaps they"?

You can use alternatives like "maybe they", "possibly they", or "it is possible that they" to express a similar level of uncertainty or suggestion.

Is it correct to say "perhaps they are" or "perhaps they're"?

Both "perhaps they are" and "perhaps they're" are grammatically correct. "They're" is a contraction of "they are", making it a more informal option.

How does the nuance of "perhaps they" differ from "maybe they"?

The difference is subtle, but "perhaps they" can sometimes imply a slightly more thoughtful consideration than "maybe they", which is generally more casual. Both convey possibility, but "perhaps" adds a touch of formality.