possibly incorrect

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "possibly incorrect" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing uncertainty about the accuracy or validity of information or a statement. Example: "The data provided in the report is possibly incorrect, so we should verify it before making any decisions."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

31 human-written examples

Carefully analyze each question and eliminate as many possibly incorrect answers as possible.

WikiHow

My impression, possibly incorrect, is of a country with limited natural resources and an uneducated population.

The New Yorker

The possibly incorrect timing of the Preakness was preventing him from holding the records for all three Triple Crown races.

The New York Times - Sports

Ukraine have the ball in the net from close range again, but a (possibly incorrect) offside flag saves the US from further indignity for now.

The Guardian - Sport

The commission agreed that the time was possibly incorrect, but said that only times clocked by an official timer could be considered.

The New York Times - Sports

When he was 14, an obsessive reader of golf instruction books, he was offering unsolicited — and possibly incorrect — advice to hapless duffers.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

29 human-written examples

Does it mean anything that the curators have hung this overwrought, possibly politically incorrect fairy painting up near the ceiling where you can barely see it?

The New York Times - Arts

Second, QEEG has the potential to be used as an auxiliary mechanism to monitor workload, and possibly detect incorrect reactions to stimuli during an ATC task.

Brain Informatics

Recently, Singh et al. [4] proposed a system for the detection of static objects that also bases on two background models however; it relies on selectively updating the long-term background model, entailing the above-mentioned problem of possibly taking incorrect updating decisions, and on tracking information.

EURASIP Journal on Image and Video Processing

As suggested by Figure  3, the amyloid hypothesis is at least incomplete, and quite possibly largely incorrect.

Acta neuropathologica communications

Even the parts the pathway databases agree on may need to be reviewed as the databases share information sources and may copy data from each other, thereby possibly propagating incorrect information.

BMC Systems Biology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "possibly incorrect", clarify what the correct alternative might be, if known. This provides context and allows the reader to assess the uncertainty.

Common error

Avoid overuse of "possibly incorrect" in a single text. Excessive hedging can undermine the credibility of your writing. Instead, aim for a balanced approach where uncertainty is acknowledged but not exaggerated.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "possibly incorrect" functions as an adjectival modifier, expressing uncertainty or doubt about the accuracy or validity of a statement or piece of information. Ludwig provides examples across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

55%

News & Media

35%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "possibly incorrect" is a grammatically correct and commonly used adjectival phrase that introduces uncertainty about the accuracy of information. Ludwig AI affirms its validity. It's frequently found in science and news contexts, serving to soften claims and acknowledge potential errors. When using this phrase, it's best to offer context or alternative suggestions to help the reader understand the uncertainty. While versatile, overuse can weaken writing, so moderation is key.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

possibly inaccurate

Synonymous with "possibly incorrect", but uses 'inaccurate' instead of 'incorrect'.

potentially inaccurate

Emphasizes the potential for inaccuracy rather than a possibility.

potentially wrong

Similar to 'potentially inaccurate' but uses simpler language.

perhaps incorrect

Similar to 'possibly incorrect' but uses 'perhaps' to denote uncertainty.

may be incorrect

Expresses a possibility of being incorrect more directly.

might be wrong

Informal way of saying 'may be incorrect'.

plausibly inaccurate

Suggests the inaccuracy is believable.

conceivably wrong

Indicates something is imaginable but not necessarily likely to be wrong.

subject to error

Highlights the vulnerability to mistakes.

open to question

Suggests that something is not definitively correct and can be challenged.

FAQs

How to use "possibly incorrect" in a sentence?

You can use "possibly incorrect" to express uncertainty about the accuracy of information. For example, "The figures in the report are "possibly incorrect", so we need to verify them."

What can I say instead of "possibly incorrect"?

You can use alternatives like "potentially inaccurate", "may be incorrect", or "might be wrong" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "possibly incorrect" or "probably incorrect"?

Both "possibly incorrect" and "probably incorrect" are grammatically correct, but they convey different degrees of certainty. "Possibly incorrect" indicates a lower probability of being wrong than "probably incorrect".

What's the difference between "possibly incorrect" and "definitely incorrect"?

"Possibly incorrect" suggests uncertainty, while "definitely incorrect" states a fact. Use "possibly incorrect" when you suspect something is wrong but aren't sure, and "definitely incorrect" when you have proof.