possibly able to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "possibly able to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing uncertainty about someone's capability or potential to do something. Example: "She is possibly able to complete the project ahead of schedule, but it depends on her workload."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

l-Lactate is a metabolite possibly able to meet some neuronal energy demands.

Neurobiology of Learning and Memory

At a time when Qatar does not appear eager (and possibly able) to reconcile with Egypt, Qatar probably believes it cannot afford to alienate the other Arab powerhouse.

The Guardian

Several recent works indicate that a higher activation of molecular chaperones and degradative systems is present in muscle cells, which for this reason are possibly able to better manage misfolded mutant SOD1.

Neurochemistry International

He said: "Bearing in mind Warren is in prison, with the communications restrictions that entails, even if he had this amount of money, how is he possibly able to settle £198m in 28 days?

The Guardian

Ministers said it would incentivise the 500,000 people in the ESA work-related activity group (Wrag) – assessed as unfit to work now but possibly able to work in the future – to get a job.

The Guardian

Since innate immunity may be hypothesized as involved in the susceptibility to OLP, we studied human beta defensin 1 (hBD-1) an antimicrobial peptide constitutively expressed in the saliva, looking at functional genetic variants possibly able to diminish hBD-1 production an consequently conferring major susceptibility to OLP.

Archives of Oral Biology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

When Daisy and Edmond meet again, reunited in the home where they had first been so happy, Edmond is changed - possibly damaged beyond repair, possibly still able to love and to be made whole again by Daisy's love.

The Guardian - Books

Duquette spoke yesterday of possibly being able to "help somebody's bench".

The New York Times - Sports

Having said that, you might possibly be able to achieve that through the elected mechanism.

The Guardian

How could markets possibly be able to predict things like where a hurricane will strike?

MIT Technology Review

Luckily, the charms of neutrinos go far beyond their possibly being able to outrace light.

The New York Times - Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "possibly able to" when you want to express a cautious or uncertain assessment of someone's capability. It's suitable when the outcome depends on various factors that are not fully known.

Common error

Avoid using "possibly able to" when you are certain about someone's ability. In such cases, opt for a more confident expression like "certainly able to" or "definitely capable of".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "possibly able to" functions as an adjective phrase modifying a verb, indicating a potential or conditional ability. It conveys uncertainty about the subject's capability. Ludwig AI confirms this usage with several examples demonstrating its application in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

42%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "possibly able to" is a grammatically sound way to express a degree of uncertainty about someone's or something's capability. It functions as an adjective phrase and is suitable for various contexts, particularly in science and news media as indicated by Ludwig. While Ludwig AI validates its correct usage, remember to choose it when you genuinely want to convey uncertainty. Alternatives like "potentially capable of" or "might be equipped to" can offer similar nuances. Avoid using it when certainty is warranted to prevent miscommunication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

potentially capable of

Replaces "possibly" with "potentially", emphasizing the inherent possibility.

conceivably able to

Substitutes "possibly" with "conceivably", suggesting something is within the realm of possibility.

might be equipped to

Changes "able to" to "equipped to", focusing on having the necessary tools or resources.

could be in a position to

Rephrases the entire structure, emphasizing the situation or circumstances allowing capability.

may be competent to

Replaces "able" with "competent", highlighting the necessary skills or knowledge.

perhaps have the capacity to

Uses "capacity" instead of "ability", referring to inherent potential.

theoretically capable of

Adds "theoretically" to emphasize possibility in principle rather than in practice.

imaginably able to

Emphasizes the aspect of imagining a scenario where someone or something is capable.

feasibly equipped for

Highlights the practical possibility of being equipped for a task.

possibly in a situation to

Focuses on the situational aspect of ability, implying that the circumstances might allow for something.

FAQs

What does "possibly able to" mean?

The phrase "possibly able to" indicates that someone or something has a chance or potential to do something, but it's not guaranteed. It suggests uncertainty or a conditional capability.

How can I use "possibly able to" in a sentence?

You can use "possibly able to" to express a conditional capability. For example, "She is "potentially able to" finish the project on time if she gets the necessary resources."

What are some alternatives to "possibly able to"?

Alternatives include phrases like "potentially capable of", "might be equipped to", or "could be in a position to", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "possibly able to" instead of "probably able to"?

Use "possibly able to" when there is significant uncertainty about the capability. Use "probably able to" when you have reason to believe the capability is more likely than not.