this is possibly because

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of the sentence "this is possibly because" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you're trying to explain a situation or provide an explanation for something. For example: "She wasn't able to make it to the party. This is possibly because she had to work late that day."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This is possibly because, although Mr. Greene writes exceptionally good, well-balanced narratives, the film versions don't have the time or the means to dramatize the crises of conscience that give the stories their weight.

The New York Times

("It was a beautiful life for me. I never remember my parents having an argument"). This is possibly because, for the Cucinellis, things soon got a whole lot worse.

Forbes

This is possibly because, from the mid 18th Dynasty onwards, the mortuary temple of Sahure served as a sanctuary for the goddess Sekhmet.

Wikipedia

This is possibly because the decrees have tried not to interfere with shrimp fishing at sea.

Environmental Science & Policy

Studies with mutants showed that ChrR protects against chromate toxicity; this is possibly because it preempts chromate reduction by the cellular one-electron reducers, thereby minimizing ROS generation.

Stanford University

This is possibly because informing the consumer of their consumption in kWh, or monetary units, fails to give context, or inform of possible actions to reduce consumption.

Building and Environment

This is possibly because we only determined neoantigens that may bind MHC class I alleles and not MHC class II alleles.

Nature

This is possibly because he didn't see the last Mission: Impossible film, in which the Impossible Missions Force was shut down.

The Guardian - Film

Strikingly, the interviewees we are invited to see as Hari's victims never complained and this is possibly because they so enjoyed the novelty of being quoted accurately.

The Guardian - Opinion

If he is keen to rebut the notion that he is a self-indulgent artist, this is possibly because his parents thought he was.

The Guardian - Arts

This is possibly because our brains take the faces of a group of people in aggregate, making each face look more "average" — and attractive — as a result.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "this is possibly because", ensure the statement is followed by a clear and logical explanation that supports the suggested cause. Avoid making unsubstantiated claims.

Common error

Avoid using "this is possibly because" when stronger evidence suggests a more definitive cause. Choose a more assertive phrase like "this is likely because" or "this is due to" if the evidence warrants it.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "this is possibly because" functions as a causal connector, linking a statement to a potential reason or explanation. It introduces a hypothesis or a possible cause, suggesting a relationship without asserting it as a definitive fact. Ludwig provides several examples where this phrase is used to explain observations or results.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

64%

News & Media

32%

Academia

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "this is possibly because" is a frequently used phrase that introduces a potential explanation or reason. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and suitable for a range of contexts, especially in science and news media. While versatile, it's important to use this phrase judiciously, ensuring that the suggested explanation is logical and supported by available evidence. When stronger evidence exists, consider more assertive alternatives to accurately reflect the certainty of the causal relationship.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

this is probably because

Expresses a higher degree of certainty than "possibly".

this is likely because

Indicates a strong probability, similar to "probably".

this is potentially because

Highlights a possibility, but doesn't suggest it's the most likely reason.

this is perhaps because

Suggests a possibility with a slightly more formal tone.

this could be attributed to

Offers an alternative way to express causation, focusing on attribution.

this might be due to

Similar to "possibly", but uses "due to" for causal connection.

one possible explanation is

Frames the statement as one of several potential explanations.

a plausible reason is

Highlights the reasonableness of the explanation.

it is conceivable that

Introduces a possible but not necessarily probable explanation.

the reason might be

Indicates a potential cause without strong commitment.

FAQs

How can I use "this is possibly because" in a sentence?

Use "this is possibly because" to introduce a potential reason or explanation for a preceding statement. For example, "The experiment yielded unexpected results. This is possibly because of a calibration error".

What are some alternatives to "this is possibly because"?

You can use alternatives like "this is probably because", "this is likely because", or "this might be due to" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "this is possibly because" instead of "this is definitely because"?

"This is possibly because" is appropriate when you are suggesting a potential cause without absolute certainty. "This is definitely because" should be used when you have strong evidence to support the causal relationship.

Is "this is possibly because" too weak for academic writing?

While "this is possibly because" can be used in academic writing, it's important to support your statement with evidence. If you have stronger evidence, consider using a more assertive phrase. The key is to accurately reflect the strength of the evidence supporting your claim.