perhaps true

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "perhaps true" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing uncertainty or possibility regarding the truth of a statement or idea. Example: "While the theory has not been proven, it is perhaps true that the phenomenon occurs more frequently in certain conditions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Perhaps true.

The New York Times

This is moving, certainly, and perhaps true.

The New Yorker

Strong words, but perhaps true.

The New York Times

Perhaps true equality lies in panto.

The Guardian

While perhaps true, this is not necessarily a strong defense.

The New York Times

It's also perhaps true that we don't much care for people messing with our favourite books.

The Guardian - Film

It is a truism but perhaps true that New York is not an early-music town.

The New York Times - Arts

But it's perhaps true that I haven't always made the right choices.

The Guardian - Film

Perhaps true and irrevocable insolvency will force the hand of the regulators to act more decisively.

The New York Times

Perhaps true, but no honest discussion of pardons or early release can evade the question of political risk.

The New York Times

"The notion that banks will just get things right over time is perhaps true," Mr. Cordray says.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When employing "perhaps true", consider whether a stronger affirmation is warranted based on the available evidence. If the evidence is compelling, opt for a more confident expression.

Common error

While "perhaps true" is acceptable, overuse can weaken your argument. In formal contexts, aim for stronger affirmations or provide specific evidence to support your claims instead of relying on tentative phrases.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "perhaps true" functions as an adverbial modifier that qualifies the truthfulness of a statement. It introduces a degree of uncertainty or possibility, indicating that while something may be true, it is not definitively proven. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

25%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "perhaps true" is a grammatically correct and versatile expression used to indicate a possibility or uncertainty about the truth of a statement. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely used across various domains, including News & Media, Science, and Encyclopedias. While it's a useful tool for expressing tentative agreement or acknowledging a plausible claim, writers should be mindful of overusing it, especially in formal contexts where stronger affirmations might be more appropriate. Consider using alternatives like "maybe true" or "possibly true" to vary your language and refine the level of certainty you convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

maybe true

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

possibly true

Substitutes "perhaps" with "possibly", suggesting a slightly lower degree of likelihood.

probably true

Uses "probably" instead of "perhaps", indicating a higher degree of belief in its truth.

likely true

Similar to "probably true", indicating a good chance of being true.

potentially true

Replaces "perhaps" with "potentially", focusing on the inherent possibility of being true.

arguably true

Suggests that there are arguments supporting its truth, although not definitively proven.

conceivably true

Emphasizes the possibility of being true, even if unlikely.

plausibly true

Indicates that the statement is believable or credible.

ostensibly true

Implies that it appears to be true, but may not be upon closer inspection.

apparently true

Suggests that the statement is true based on available evidence.

FAQs

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

Use "perhaps true" to express uncertainty or possibility regarding the accuracy of a statement. For example: "The theory hasn't been proven, but it's "perhaps true" that the phenomenon occurs more frequently under certain conditions."

What are some alternatives to "perhaps true"?

Alternatives include "maybe true", "possibly true", or "likely true" depending on the context and degree of certainty you wish to convey.

Is "perhaps true" a formal or informal expression?

"Perhaps true" is suitable for both formal and informal writing. However, in highly formal or academic contexts, consider stronger affirmations if evidence supports your claim, or more precise qualifiers to indicate the level of uncertainty.

What's the difference between "perhaps true" and "certainly true"?

"Perhaps true" indicates uncertainty or possibility, while "certainly true" conveys a high degree of confidence and conviction about the truth of a statement. They represent opposite ends of the certainty spectrum.