possibly not

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "possibly not" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express uncertainty or doubt about a statement or situation. Example: "I thought he would attend the meeting, but he might possibly not show up."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

"Possibly not his".

The New Yorker

Well, possibly not everybody.

The New York Times

Well, no, possibly not.

Independent

Quite possibly not.

The Economist

Though possibly not.

The New Yorker

But possibly not all.

The Economist

Possibly not for everyone else".

The New York Times

Or possibly not at all.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

Possibly but not probably.

The New York Times

Quite possibly, but not yet.

Independent

Possibly — probably — not.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "possibly not" when you want to express uncertainty or a slight disagreement without being overly assertive. It is suitable for nuanced situations where a definite 'no' would be too strong.

Common error

Avoid relying too heavily on "possibly not" in formal or academic writing. Opt for more precise language to convey your level of certainty or doubt. Phrases like "unlikely" or "doubtful" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "possibly not" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to express uncertainty or doubt. It indicates a possibility that something is not true or will not happen. Ludwig confirms its acceptability and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

89%

Formal & Business

5%

Science

3%

Less common in

Wiki

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "possibly not" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to convey uncertainty or mild disagreement. As confirmed by Ludwig, it serves as an adverbial phrase, modifying clauses to introduce doubt. Its neutral register makes it versatile for various contexts, although it is particularly common in News & Media. When looking for alternatives, consider "perhaps not" or "maybe not" for similar nuanced expressions. Avoid overuse in formal writing, where more precise language is preferred.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

perhaps not

Emphasizes uncertainty, similar to "possibly not" but with a slightly different nuance.

maybe not

A more informal and direct way to express uncertainty or disagreement.

probably not

Indicates a higher degree of certainty that something will not happen compared to "possibly not".

conceivably not

Highlights the theoretical possibility that something is not the case.

potentially not

Focuses on the potential or possibility that something may not occur.

unlikely

Expresses a low probability of something happening, serving as a concise alternative.

doubtful

Suggests skepticism or doubt regarding a particular outcome.

not necessarily

Indicates that something is not always the case, introducing a degree of variability.

not always

Similar to "not necessarily", but emphasizes the lack of consistency.

may not be

Expresses a possibility that something is not true or will not happen.

FAQs

How can I use "possibly not" in a sentence?

"Possibly not" is generally used to express uncertainty or mild disagreement. For example: "Will it rain tomorrow? Possibly not."

What are some alternatives to "possibly not"?

Alternatives include "perhaps not", "maybe not", or "unlikely", depending on the context and desired level of formality.

Is "possibly not" grammatically correct?

Yes, "possibly not" is a grammatically correct phrase used to express uncertainty or negation.

What's the difference between "possibly not" and "probably not"?

"Possibly not" suggests a lower degree of certainty than "probably not". "Possibly not" implies a chance, however small, that something could be true, while "probably not" suggests a stronger belief that it is false.