we can perhaps

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of the sentence "we can perhaps" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate a suggestion or a possibility. For example: "We can perhaps finish the project by the end of the week."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I feel confident we can perhaps prevail".

The Guardian

We can perhaps bet on art to win over tyrants.

The New York Times

We can perhaps lose sight of this at home, dulled by the familiar marketing gush.

The Guardian - Sport

We can, perhaps, blame the Bushes, as well, for failing to distinguish themselves adequately from Trump.

The New Yorker

For this quasi-tragic invention we can perhaps find a source in Shakespeare himself.

The Guardian - Books

He comes here to bring our family together with issues that we can perhaps break the indifference that people have".

The New York Times

If you can post the relevant YouTube clip, then we can perhaps consider it for next year's award..

The Guardian - Film

With the Republic of Ireland another, we can perhaps expect a cagey affair early on, which would suit the underdogs.

The Guardian - Sport

We have to look where we can perhaps reduce costs at Fifa and that will certainly be easily done.

The Guardian - Sport

We can perhaps be sceptical of that logic, given that her lack of parliamentary support was clear last week too.

The Guardian - Opinion

The news agenda will never dovetail perfectly with the stuff we scour the net for, and for that we can perhaps be thankful.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "we can perhaps", consider the context to ensure the level of uncertainty or suggestion aligns with your intended message. Avoid overuse to maintain clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "we can perhaps" when you are certain of the outcome; instead, use a more direct statement to convey confidence and decisiveness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we can perhaps" functions as a modal verb phrase used to express possibility or suggestion. As shown by Ludwig, it softens a statement, indicating a degree of uncertainty or tentativeness. This makes it useful for proposing ideas without asserting them strongly.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "we can perhaps" is a versatile modal verb phrase used to express possibility or suggestion. According to Ludwig, it softens statements, indicating a level of uncertainty suitable for various contexts. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically sound and usable in written English. Its frequency and presence across reputable sources like The Guardian and The New York Times suggest it's a common and reliable expression. When writing, use "we can perhaps" to introduce suggestions or possibilities, but be mindful of overusing it and diluting the impact of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we could potentially

Substitutes "can" with "could" for a more tentative suggestion, and "potentially" reinforces the possibility.

we may be able to

Focuses on ability with a hint of uncertainty, using "may" instead of "can" and removes the adverb.

we might possibly

Replaces "can" with "might" to convey a slightly weaker possibility, and adds "possibly" for emphasis.

it is possible for us to

Highlights the possibility, presenting it as an external condition rather than an inherent ability.

perhaps we are able to

Reorders the phrase to place emphasis on "perhaps", slightly altering the tone and focus.

it is conceivable that we could

Introduces a formal tone, emphasizing the conceivability of a future action.

we stand a chance to

Conveys a sense of opportunity and possibility, suggesting a favorable condition.

we have the opportunity to

Focuses on the available opportunity, highlighting a chance to act.

it's within the realm of possibility that we

Introduces a more elaborate and formal way to express possibility.

we just might

Offers a more casual and optimistic take on the possibility.

FAQs

How can I use "we can perhaps" in a sentence?

Use "we can perhaps" to suggest a possible action or outcome, for example, "We can perhaps find a solution if we work together."

What are some alternatives to "we can perhaps"?

You can use alternatives such as "we might possibly", "it is possible for us to", or "we could potentially" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "we can perhaps" or "perhaps we can"?

Both "we can perhaps" and "perhaps we can" are grammatically correct and convey a similar meaning. The choice often depends on stylistic preference or emphasis.

What is the level of formality of "we can perhaps"?

The phrase "we can perhaps" is generally considered neutral to slightly formal, suitable for a variety of contexts including news, academic writing, and professional communication.