possibly

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "possibly" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are not sure, or when something might happen, but you are not certain. For example, "It is possible that she will come to the party, but I'm not sure."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

What could possibly go wrong?

The New York Times - Arts

Quite possibly.

The New York Times - Arts

Or possibly not.

The New York Times

Could this possibly be true?

The Guardian

The less harsh sentences came from the Manchester judge who announced, possibly in solidarity, that he too was exceeding the guideline.

The Guardian - Opinion

The idea being that it would receive the licence fee and could in time become a kind of public body funding public broadcasting (or possibly specific programmes) other than on the BBC.

The Guardian - Opinion

"Very serious allegations have been raised which throw into doubt the safety of our conviction, and there is possibly a miscarriage of justice.

The Guardian

Raymond Carver (1976) Possibly the most economical short story writer in this list, Carver, with his precise, punchy prose, conveys in a few words what many novelists take several pages to elucidate.

The Guardian

Possibly, though The Man in the High Castle and Mad Dogs both look better bets.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

That leaves Williams to mind the fort until a Flood replacement – possibly his old Scarlets club-mate Rhys Priestland, or Freddie Burns of Gloucester – arrives; certainly for the couple of months when Flood is away with England's Six Nations squad.

The Guardian - Sport

What is striking about Dawn Wall – and the reason it is being hailed as possibly the world's hardest climb – is that it has linked so much very hard climbing into a single route.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Vary your vocabulary by using synonyms like "perhaps" or "maybe" to avoid repetition and add nuance to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "possibly" excessively in close proximity, as it can make your writing sound hesitant and weaken your arguments. Instead, opt for stronger assertions or rephrase sentences for clarity.

Linguistic Context

The adverb "possibly" modifies verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs to express uncertainty or a degree of likelihood. It indicates that something is not definite but has a chance of being true or occurring. As Ludwig AI confirms, the word is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "possibly" is a versatile adverb used to express uncertainty or a degree of likelihood. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and frequently used in various contexts, especially in News & Media. While "possibly" is a common and acceptable choice, writers should be mindful of overuse and consider synonyms like "perhaps" or "maybe" to add variety to their writing. By understanding its function, purpose, and register, you can effectively integrate "possibly" into your communication, ensuring clarity and nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

perhaps

Indicates a similar level of uncertainty as "possibly", often used interchangeably.

maybe

A more informal alternative to "possibly", suggesting a degree of uncertainty.

potentially

Emphasizes the inherent possibility of something occurring or being true.

conceivably

Suggests something is imaginable or believable, though not necessarily likely.

feasibly

Indicates that something is capable of being done or carried out.

perchance

A more formal and less common synonym for "possibly".

it is possible that

A more verbose way of expressing the same uncertainty.

it could be

A common and simple way to suggest a possibility.

mayhap

An archaic synonym for "possibly", rarely used in modern English.

by any chance

Indicates a question about a remote possibility.

FAQs

How can I use "possibly" in a sentence?

"Possibly" is used to express uncertainty or a chance of something happening. For example, "It is "possibly" going to rain later today" indicates that rain is not certain, but there is a chance.

What can I say instead of "possibly"?

You can use alternatives like "perhaps", "maybe", or "potentially" depending on the context and the level of formality you want to convey.

Which is correct, "possibly" or "probable"?

"Possibly" indicates something might happen, while "probable" suggests something is likely to happen. "Possibly" implies less certainty than "probable".

What is the difference between "possibly" and "certainly"?

"Possibly" suggests uncertainty or a chance, whereas "certainly" expresses conviction and assurance. They are antonyms, representing opposite ends of a spectrum of likelihood.