possibly because of

USAGE SUMMARY

"possibly because of" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to introduce the reason for something, often when you are unsure or speculating about the exact cause. For example: She was exhausted, possibly because of the late nights she had been working.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Or possibly because of it.

The New York Times

"Possibly because of my faith I would not," replies Patton.

The Guardian

The marriage produced no children, possibly because of Richard's homosexuality.

Independent

Possibly because of insular foreign affairs apathy, more likely because of who's showing it.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Possibly because of its quiet ambience and residential character, Cambria Heights is often overlooked.

The New York Times

Possibly because of the number of false attributions, Cellini's luster began to tarnish.

The New York Times - Arts

But Zhou said the issue had been particularly severe this year, possibly because of weather changes.

The Guardian

Faster, possibly, because of the popularity of bigger sport utilities and pickups.

The New York Times

"We also see that some seabirds look particularly undernourished, possibly because of the cold seas".

The Guardian

Lately, possibly because of his back, he has had mechanical problems.

The New York Times - Sports

The ordering and downloading took 45 minutes, possibly because of some ineptness on my part.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "possibly because of" to introduce a reason when you're unsure of the definite cause, but have some evidence or logical basis for your suggestion.

Common error

Avoid overuse of "possibly because of" in formal academic or professional writing where stronger, more definitive language is expected. Instead, consider presenting evidence and conclusions more directly.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "possibly because of" functions as a causal connector, introducing a potential reason or explanation for a situation. It indicates a degree of uncertainty about the actual cause. As Ludwig AI states, it's used when speculating about the exact cause.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Science

33%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "possibly because of" serves as a useful tool for introducing potential causes or explanations when certainty is lacking. As Ludwig AI confirms, this expression is grammatically correct and commonly used. While versatile across various contexts, it's predominantly found in news, scientific, and encyclopedic sources. When employing this phrase, remember its function: to suggest rather than definitively state a reason. If greater certainty exists, stronger causal language may be appropriate. If definitive answers are unavailable, using the phrase can communicate transparency in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

potentially due to

Indicates a possibility, similar to "possibly because of", but emphasizes the potential nature of the cause.

conceivably as a result of

Suggests that something could happen as an outcome, expressing a degree of uncertainty about the connection.

perhaps owing to

A more formal way of saying "possibly because of", indicating that something might be attributed to a specific reason.

it could be attributed to

Offers a potential explanation or cause, suggesting that something might be related to a specific factor.

maybe stemming from

Implies that something originates or arises from a particular cause or source, adding a nuance of origin.

ostensibly on account of

Indicates an apparent reason, but with the possibility that the real reason might be different.

seemingly due to the fact that

Expresses that something is apparently caused by a specific fact, but with some reservation.

it's plausible that

Highlights the plausibility or credibility of a particular explanation or cause.

one might speculate that

Acknowledges that what follows is conjecture, or based on incomplete evidence, and not necessarily fact.

there is a chance it is because of

Directly expresses the possibility of a cause, while acknowledging a level of uncertainty or doubt.

FAQs

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

Use "possibly because of" to introduce a potential reason or explanation when you are not completely certain about the cause. For example: "The delay was longer than expected, possibly because of unforeseen circumstances."

What phrases are similar to "possibly because of"?

Alternatives to "possibly because of" include phrases like "potentially due to", "perhaps owing to", or "it could be attributed to", depending on the context and desired level of formality.

Is it correct to say "probably because of" instead of "possibly because of"?

"Probably because of" suggests a higher degree of certainty than "possibly because of". Use "probably because of" when you have more confidence in the reason, while "possibly because of" indicates more speculation.

What's the difference between "due to" and "possibly because of"?

"Due to" implies a direct cause-and-effect relationship, while "possibly because of" suggests a potential reason with some uncertainty. "Due to" is used when the cause is known or strongly supported, while "possibly because of" is used when speculating about the cause.