very possibly true

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "very possibly true" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when expressing a high degree of uncertainty about the truth of a statement or idea. An example would be: "The theory is very possibly true, but further research is needed." Alternative expressions include "quite likely true" and "highly probable."

✓ Grammatically correct

Biology Direct

BBC

The New York Times

The Guardian - Books

The Guardian - Sport

The Guardian - Music

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Independent

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

TechCrunch

SEP

BMJ Open

Los Angeles Times

Duke University

Princeton University

Forbes

Huffington Post

Vice

WikiHow

University of California, Berkeley

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Although the information I2 is calculated by assuming one by one protein expression, the result is that each gene or operon has a regulatory sequence, which is very possibly true.

Biology Direct

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Fairytales do come true and this one very possibly will.

BBC

This is quite possibly true.

The New York Times

Appalling, but possibly true.

The Guardian - Books

A beautiful notion, and possibly true.

The New York Times

And very possibly a cosmopolitan.

The New York Times

And very possibly some lambs.

Independent

Amusing, and quite possibly true.

The Guardian - Sport

Strange and possibly true 1.

The Guardian - Music

A. Very possibly.

The New York Times

Very possibly himself.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "very possibly true" when you want to express a strong degree of uncertainty while still acknowledging a real chance that something is accurate. It strikes a balance between doubt and acceptance.

Common error

Avoid using "very possibly true" when the evidence strongly suggests something is either definitely true or demonstrably false. This phrase is best suited for situations where uncertainty is genuine and significant.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "very possibly true" functions as an adverbial modifier expressing a degree of likelihood. It qualifies the truth of a statement, indicating that it is quite likely but not certain. As Ludwig AI shows, it often appears to soften claims or introduce uncertainty.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Academia

15%

Science

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "very possibly true" is a grammatically sound expression used to convey a strong degree of uncertainty while acknowledging a real chance of accuracy. As Ludwig AI confirms, it functions as an adverbial modifier, softening claims and allowing for alternative interpretations. The phrase appears most frequently in news and media contexts, with less frequent usage in academic and scientific writing. When using this phrase, be mindful of avoiding overstatement and accurately reflecting the level of uncertainty involved.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

quite likely true

Emphasizes a strong likelihood, suggesting a higher degree of confidence.

highly probable

Indicates a high degree of probability based on available evidence.

plausibly true

Suggests the statement is believable or credible, but not necessarily certain.

conceivably true

Highlights the possibility of being true, even if it seems unlikely.

potentially true

Focuses on the inherent possibility of the statement being accurate.

arguably true

Indicates that there is a reasonable argument to be made for its truth.

feasibly true

Suggests that it is practical or realistically possible for the statement to be true.

credibly true

Implies the statement has elements that make it believable.

perhaps true

Expresses a lower degree of certainty, indicating a possibility.

maybe true

Offers a simple expression of uncertainty and possibility.

FAQs

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

You can use "very possibly true" to express that something is likely to be accurate, but you are not completely certain. For example, "The rumor about the company's acquisition is "very possibly true", given the recent market trends."

What are some alternatives to "very possibly true"?

Alternatives to "very possibly true" include "quite likely true", "highly probable", or "plausibly true". The best choice depends on the specific context and the degree of certainty you want to convey.

Is it better to say "very possibly true" or "possibly very true"?

"Very possibly true" is the more idiomatic and natural phrasing. "Possibly very true" is grammatically correct, but sounds awkward and is rarely used.

What is the difference between "very possibly true" and "probably true"?

"Very possibly true" suggests a slightly lower level of confidence than "probably true". "Probably true" implies a greater likelihood, whereas "very possibly true" indicates a stronger degree of uncertainty.