very possibly

USAGE SUMMARY

"very possibly" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing something that could be true but is not definite. For example: "It is very possibly true that the reports of UFOs are related to a top-secret military experiment."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Very possibly.

The Guardian - Film

And very possibly some lambs.

Independent

And very possibly a cosmopolitan.

The New York Times

A. Very possibly.

The New York Times

Very possibly himself.

The Guardian - Sport

It very possibly could have.

The New York Times

He replied: "Very possibly, yeah".

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Very possibly the tackiest thing I own".

The Guardian - Tech

Very possibly, according to Mr. Goldin.

The New York Times

They look young and very possibly lost.

The Guardian - Travel

But there is, very possibly, something for you.

The Guardian - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "very possibly" to express a degree of uncertainty while still suggesting a reasonable likelihood. It is suitable when you want to acknowledge that something is not certain but is more than just a remote possibility.

Common error

Avoid using "very possibly" when the situation warrants a more definitive statement. If the evidence strongly supports a conclusion, opt for language that reflects greater certainty.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "very possibly" functions as an adverbial modifier, specifically intensifying the degree of possibility. It modifies a verb or a clause to express a higher probability than "possibly" alone. Ludwig examples showcase it modifying verbs, indicating a significant likelihood.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Encyclopedias

7%

Science

7%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "very possibly" is a common adverbial phrase used to express a strong degree of possibility but not certainty. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. It frequently appears in news and media contexts, and it is suitable for neutral registers. While grammatically sound, writers should be mindful of the context and avoid overstating certainty. Remember to explore alternatives like "quite likely" or "highly probable" for variations in tone and formality. "Very possibly" serves as a useful tool for expressing nuanced likelihood in writing and speech.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

quite likely

Emphasizes likelihood more directly, offering a slightly more assertive tone.

highly probable

Focuses on the probability aspect, often used in more formal contexts.

most likely

Suggests that the outcome is the one that's expected or predicted.

in all likelihood

A more formal expression emphasizing the probability based on current evidence.

conceivably

Highlights that something is within the realm of possibility, though not necessarily probable.

potentially

Focuses on the inherent possibility that something could happen or be true.

it could be

A simple and direct way to express possibility, suitable for informal contexts.

there's a good chance

An idiomatic expression emphasizing the favorable odds of something happening.

it is plausible

Suggests that something is believable or has the appearance of truth.

may well be

Indicates a strong possibility or expectation, often used in formal writing.

FAQs

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

"Very possibly" is used to indicate a strong possibility, but not a certainty. For example, "It is "very possibly" the case that the meeting will be postponed if the weather worsens."

What's a more formal alternative to "very possibly"?

Formal alternatives to "very possibly" include phrases such as "highly probable" or "in all likelihood".

Is "very possibly" the same as "possibly"?

While both express possibility, "very possibly" indicates a higher degree of likelihood than simply "possibly". It suggests a stronger chance of something being true or happening.

Can "very possibly" be used in academic writing?

Yes, "very possibly" can be used in academic writing to express a well-reasoned conjecture, but it should be used judiciously and supported by evidence to maintain credibility. Avoid overuse, and consider alternatives like "plausible" or "likely".