possibly because

USAGE SUMMARY

"possibly because" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to introduce a clause that provides an explanation for a preceding statement. For example, "I didn't get the job, possibly because I lacked experience in that particular field."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In summer 1972, he was replaced by Gen. Van Tien Dung, possibly because he had fallen from favor but possibly because, as was rumored, he had Hodgkin's disease.

The New York Times

The criterion category is less important possibly because this has only small possible different values.

Vietnam Journal of Computer Science

"Possibly because that's his name.

The New Yorker

Or possibly because of it.

The New York Times

Possibly because we're soft.

The Washington Post

Possibly because I'm annoying.

The Guardian - Arts

Possibly because she's French, possibly because she's a woman.

The Guardian - Film

Possibly, because nervous Ghana are rocking violently.

The Guardian - Sport

Possibly because they saw Adele coming.

The Guardian - Music

Possibly because it's more likely to be true.

The Washington Post

Possibly because Republicans weren't so hostile to government.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "possibly because", consider providing alternative explanations to showcase a balanced perspective, enhancing the credibility of your writing.

Common error

Avoid relying solely on "possibly because" without providing supporting evidence or acknowledging other potential factors. This can weaken your argument and make your analysis seem speculative.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "possibly because" functions as a causal connector, introducing a clause that explains a potential reason or cause for a preceding statement. Ludwig AI identifies it as a correct and usable phrase for expressing uncertainty.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

33%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "possibly because" is a versatile phrase used to introduce a tentative explanation or reason. As indicated by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and sees widespread use across different contexts. It's particularly common in news, science, and academic writing, but can also be found in more informal settings. When using "possibly because", it's best to ensure the explanation is logical and to consider presenting alternative reasons for a balanced perspective.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

perhaps it's because

Another form of "possibly because", this version emphasizes the uncertainty of the reason.

it could be because

Presents a possible explanation, focusing on the potential reason behind something.

one possible explanation is

Highlights that there are multiple explanations and this is just one of them

possibly as a result of

Specifies a potential outcome or consequence, indicating a cause-and-effect relationship with a slightly stronger emphasis on the result.

a plausible reason could be

Highlights that the reason is believable and seemingly reasonable.

conceivably due to

Implies that something might be caused by something else, suggesting uncertainty with a touch of formality.

potentially attributable to

Indicates that something can be assigned or credited to a cause, often used in formal or academic contexts.

it might be attributed to

Suggests that something could be the cause or reason for something else.

perhaps stemming from

Suggests an origin or source of something, indicating a causal connection related to the origin.

maybe on account of

Offers a reason or explanation, indicating that something is happening because of something else.

FAQs

How can I use "possibly because" in a sentence?

Use "possibly because" to introduce a potential reason or explanation for something. For example, "The event was canceled, "possibly because" of the weather."

What are some alternatives to "possibly because"?

You can use alternatives such as "perhaps due to", "conceivably due to", or "it could be because" depending on the context.

Is it better to use "possibly because" or "certainly because"?

Use "possibly because" when you're unsure of the reason and want to express uncertainty. Use "certainly because" when you have definitive evidence of the cause.

What is the difference between "possibly because" and "probably because"?

"Possibly because" suggests a lower degree of certainty than "probably because". "Probably because" indicates a higher likelihood but still doesn't guarantee the reason is correct.