possibly so

USAGE SUMMARY

'possibly so' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to indicate uncertainty or agreement in response to a statement or question. For example: Q: Do you think the meeting will be cancelled? A: Possibly so.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

53 human-written examples

Possibly so.

The Guardian

Possibly so, he concedes.

Independent

"Possibly so," concluded Cooper.

The Guardian

Possibly so, though these dangers can be greatly reduced.

The New York Times

Quite possibly so, if we do, what should we do?

The Guardian - Business

Sir Geoffrey made himself scarce, possibly so someone couldn't take a photo and tweet it.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

7 human-written examples

How can such a hefty hunk of meat possibly be so weightless, and so beguiling?

The New York Times - Travel

They couldn't possibly display so precious a trove of antiquities in so unguarded a space.

The New Yorker

So far, Trump hasn't made any comment about possibly doing so.

Forbes

Possibly more so.

Independent

How could we possibly care so much?

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "possibly so" to acknowledge a point while maintaining a neutral or slightly skeptical tone. It's useful in situations where you want to agree without fully committing.

Common error

Avoid overusing "possibly so" in highly formal or academic writing. While grammatically correct, it can sometimes come across as less precise than other alternatives, like "conceivably" or "potentially".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "possibly so" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying an implied verb of agreement or acknowledgment. It expresses a tentative affirmation, indicating that something is considered plausible but not certain. Ludwig AI identifies this usage pattern in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "possibly so" is a versatile adverbial phrase used to express tentative agreement or acknowledgment. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically sound and sees it frequently used across various contexts, particularly in news and media, though also in science and encyclopedia entries. While it is considered neutral in tone, it is important to use it consciously in more formal and academic writing, perhaps opting for more precise alternatives like "conceivably" or "potentially" when appropriate. The phrase serves as a tool for indicating plausibility without definitive commitment.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

conceivably

This alternative suggests a possibility, similar to "possibly so", but is more concise.

potentially

This alternative emphasizes the inherent possibility of something occurring or being true.

maybe

A simpler, more direct way to express uncertainty or possibility.

perhaps

Similar to "maybe", but slightly more formal and refined.

it is plausible

This alternative expresses that something is believable or credible.

that could be

A conversational way to acknowledge a statement and indicate possibility.

it's conceivable

This phrase emphasizes that something is imaginable or within the realm of possibility.

it's a possibility

Directly states that something is possible.

it might be

Indicates a degree of uncertainty about the truth or occurrence of something.

that is a possibility

This alternative explicitly frames something as one of several possibilities.

FAQs

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

"Possibly so" is typically used as a short response to a statement or question, indicating agreement or acknowledgement with a degree of uncertainty. For example: "Do you think it will rain today? Possibly so."

What can I say instead of "possibly so"?

You can use alternatives like "conceivably", "perhaps", or "potentially" depending on the context.

Is "possibly so" formal or informal?

"Possibly so" is generally considered neutral in tone, suitable for both informal and some formal contexts, though it might be perceived as less precise than other alternatives in academic or highly formal writing.

What's the difference between "possibly so" and "probably so"?

"Possibly so" indicates a lower degree of certainty compared to "probably so". "Possibly so" suggests that something is merely a possibility, while "probably so" implies a higher likelihood.