possibly to stick

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "possibly to stick" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It may be intended to express uncertainty about adhering to something, but the phrasing is awkward and unclear. Example: "I might consider changing my plans, but I am possibly to stick with the original schedule."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

From there you can share the stats, or even download a poster of the infographic, possibly to stick up in your living room to remind you of all the year's fun, or to motivate you in your New Years' Resolution to not spend quite so much of your free time playing Halo 5.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Or will they decide to stick around, and possibly start fighting the Kurds or just continue clamping down on the Sunnis?

Huffington Post

I also live in an area where there is a lot of gang-related activity and I know many of the gangsters do it because they're terrified that, if they don't, they're going to stick out, and possibly killed because of that.

Vice

The strategy should be to stick together as much as possibly, to help increase the impression of a group that is hard to part.

WikiHow

Possibly somebody objected to sticking the words "long term" in front of that; if so, thanks.The contrast with another full-page splash this one paid for is stark.

The Economist

And while this appears to be a particularly mean, and possibly homophobic, incident, it is really a good idea to stick to that rule.

The New York Times

You have to play the long game, you have to stick in there and see things as far as you can possibly see them.

TechCrunch

These results indicate that the silanol content, and possibly the degree of hydration of the fiber surface, is important for a fiber to stick to a cell surface.

Environmental Health Perspectives

And she would read it, then she would forget about it, and possibly over time something would stick, not very much but something might stick, but it's not guaranteed to stick.

BMC Geriatrics

That his ability to stick with it until he got it right said more about his character than anything else possibly could.

Huffington Post

Quite possibly, his friend Mr. Levi said, people are reacting enthusiastically to Mr. Levy's initiatives simply because they do not expect him to stick around.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "possibly to stick" in formal writing. Opt for more grammatically correct alternatives like "might stick" or "possibly adhere".

Common error

The construction "possibly to + verb" is not standard English. The correct way to express possibility with a verb is to use modal verbs such as "might", "may", or adverbs like "possibly" followed directly by the verb.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "possibly to stick" functions as an infinitive phrase intending to express a potential action or state. However, it is grammatically flawed. As Ludwig AI points out, the correct usage involves rephrasing with modal verbs or adverbs.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Wiki

30%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "possibly to stick" attempts to convey a sense of potential adherence, it's considered grammatically incorrect. Ludwig AI highlights its non-standard construction, recommending alternatives like "might stick" or "possibly adhere" for better clarity and grammatical accuracy. Its rare occurrence and unsuitability for formal contexts further suggest avoiding this phrase in professional writing. Using modal verbs or rephrasing ensures clearer and more effective communication. The analysis reveals that while the intent is understandable, the execution falls short of grammatical standards.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

possibly adhere

Replaces 'stick' with 'adhere' for a more formal and grammatically sound expression of attachment.

might stick

Uses "might" instead of "possibly to" for a simpler and more direct expression of possibility.

may stick

Replaces "possibly to" with "may" for a concise and grammatically correct alternative.

potentially adhere

Substitutes "possibly" with "potentially" and "stick" with "adhere", offering a more formal tone.

possibly remain

Replaces 'stick' with 'remain' to convey a sense of staying in a certain state or place.

perhaps attach

Uses 'perhaps' to indicate possibility and 'attach' as a substitute for 'stick'.

conceivably stick

Employs 'conceivably' to highlight the possibility of something sticking.

possibly be affixed

Replaces 'stick' with 'be affixed' for a more technical or formal tone.

potentially bond

Uses 'potentially' to indicate possibility and 'bond' to suggest a strong connection.

might get attached

Expresses a similar idea using 'get attached' indicating a less direct or more emotional connection.

FAQs

What are some correct alternatives to "possibly to stick"?

Better alternatives include "might stick", "may stick", or "possibly adhere", depending on the desired level of formality.

Is "possibly to stick" grammatically correct?

No, "possibly to stick" is not grammatically correct in standard English. The correct usage involves using a modal verb or rephrasing the sentence for clarity.

How can I use "possibly" correctly with a verb?

Use "possibly" directly before the verb (e.g., "They might possibly stick around") or use a modal verb such as might or may (e.g., "They might stick around").

What's the difference between "possibly stick" and "possibly to stick"?

"Possibly stick" is a more grammatically sound construction, indicating a potential action. "Possibly to stick" introduces an unnecessary infinitive and is not considered correct.