possibly we could

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "possibly we could" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when suggesting a potential action or idea in a tentative manner. Example: "Possibly we could meet next week to discuss the project further."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

"But compared to some of our Asian neighbors, possibly we could".

The New York Times - Travel

"Or possibly, we could bifurcate the project, split it into two projects, with two developers each doing a part".

The New York Times

"Possibly we could save my daughter's life, but then she could be a complete vegetable for the rest of her life," Mr. Stimell said.

The New York Times

If all independent politicians looked and sounded like Helena Kennedy, then possibly we could manage more or less without political parties.

The Guardian - Opinion

"It was the type of game where possibly we could have buckled under not playing brilliantly and maybe made mistakes.

BBC

We've created some good chances where possibly we could be ahead in the game and you end up with a different outcome.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

"I thought possibly if we could control the midfield, we could get a counterattack on them.

Los Angeles Times

If not, how could we possibly convict if we couldn't be certain he was even present?

The Guardian - Opinion

"We prepared properly and we did everything we possibly could to be ready for the game.

BBC

"We did anything we possibly could to win," Rutgers Coach C. Vivian Stringer said.

The New York Times - Sports

"We did everything we possibly could to win this race," Gordon said.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Vary your sentence structure. Instead of always leading with "possibly we could", try incorporating it mid-sentence for a smoother flow, such as "Considering the circumstances, it's possibly we could achieve our goals sooner than anticipated".

Common error

While appropriate in many contexts, avoid overuse in formal or academic writing where direct and confident assertions are preferred. Instead, opt for stronger phrases like "we can" or "it is likely that we will" to convey certainty and authority.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "possibly we could" functions primarily as a hedging device, softening a suggestion or proposal. As noted by Ludwig AI, it's a grammatically sound way to introduce an idea tentatively. Examples show it used across various contexts to express uncertainty.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

20%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Reference

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "possibly we could" is a versatile phrase used to introduce suggestions with a degree of uncertainty. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent appearance in News & Media and Scientific contexts. When writing, consider the level of formality required and whether a more direct assertion might be more appropriate. Remember to avoid overusing it in formal contexts, where more direct language is favored.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it's possible we might

Replaces "could" with "might", softening the suggestion slightly and adding a bit of distance.

we might be able to

Simplifies the phrase by removing "possibly" and restructuring, offering a more concise expression of potential capability.

it is conceivable we could

Substitutes "possibly" with "conceivable", making the possibility seem more imaginable or believable.

there's a chance we could

Introduces the idea of chance, emphasizing the uncertainty and external factors influencing the possibility.

perhaps we are able to

Replaces "possibly we could" with "perhaps we are able to", offering a slightly more formal tone and explicitly stating capability.

it may be that we can

Uses "may be" instead of "possibly" and "can" instead of "could", maintaining a similar level of uncertainty but with a more direct tone.

we may just be able to

Adds a touch of optimism and slight surprise, suggesting the possibility is somewhat unexpected but welcome.

maybe it's within the realm of possibility that we could

Expands the phrase to emphasize the uncertainty, making it suitable for situations where the outcome is highly speculative.

we have the potential to

Focuses on the inherent ability or potential to achieve something, rather than simply suggesting a possibility.

we stand a chance of

Replaces the entire phrase with a more idiomatic expression indicating a reasonable probability of success.

FAQs

How can I use "possibly we could" in a sentence?

The phrase "possibly we could" is used to suggest a potential course of action or a possibility, for example, "Possibly we could try a different approach to solving this problem."

What are some alternatives to "possibly we could"?

Alternatives include phrases like "perhaps we can", "maybe we should", or "it's possible that we might", each offering a slightly different nuance.

Is it grammatically correct to say "possibly we could"?

Yes, "possibly we could" is grammatically correct. The adverb "possibly" modifies the verb phrase "we could", indicating a degree of uncertainty or chance.

What's the difference between "possibly we could" and "we could possibly"?

While both phrases are grammatically correct and convey a similar meaning, "we could possibly" places more emphasis on the ability or potential to do something, whereas "possibly we could" emphasizes the uncertainty or chance of it happening.