who could possibly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "who could possibly" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express disbelief or to emphasize the improbability of a situation or action. Example: "Who could possibly believe that such a thing would happen?"

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Who could possibly know?

The New York Times

Who could possibly take offense?

The New York Times

Who could possibly sell so much?

The New York Times

Who could possibly object?

The New York Times

Who could possibly help her?

The Guardian - Books

Who could possibly understand this?

The New York Times - Health

And who could possibly disagree?

The Guardian - Opinion

But who could possibly believe them?

The Washington Post

Who could possibly care about that?

The Washington Post

Who could possibly oppose such a campaign?

The New York Times - Food

Who could possibly know this much?

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "who could possibly" to express strong disbelief or surprise, especially when responding to an unexpected statement or action. This phrase is most effective when the unlikelihood is obvious.

Common error

Avoid using "who could possibly" in situations that simply require a neutral inquiry. The phrase implies a high degree of skepticism, which may be inappropriate in straightforward questions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "who could possibly" functions as an interrogative expression used rhetorically to convey disbelief, skepticism, or incredulity. It questions the likelihood or possibility of a particular action, belief, or situation. Ludwig confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "who could possibly" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to convey strong disbelief or skepticism. It is most frequently found in news and media contexts and serves to rhetorically challenge the plausibility of a statement or situation. Ludwig AI confirms that its standard usage is correct and effective for emphasizing doubt. When using the expression, consider that overuse in neutral contexts may weaken your writing and select the proper synonym in order to minimize the level of semantic transformation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

could anybody possibly

Replaces "who" with "anybody" and retains the emphasis on impossibility, sounding slightly less confrontational.

who on earth could

Emphasizes the speaker's surprise or disbelief more strongly than the original phrase by using "on earth".

who in the world could

Similar to "who on earth could", adds emphasis to the speaker's astonishment.

how could anyone

Directly asks how someone could perform an action, emphasizing the difficulty or implausibility.

who would ever

Focuses on the unlikelihood of someone performing an action or feeling a certain way.

who is capable of

Questions the capability or capacity of someone to do something, often implying a lack of ability.

is it possible that anyone could

Formalizes the question, making it less direct and more analytical.

is there anyone who would

Explores whether anyone would be willing to do something, highlighting potential reluctance.

can anyone imagine

Shifts the focus to the ability to conceive or envision a scenario.

is it conceivable that

Questions whether something is imaginable or believable, focusing on the conceptual aspect.

FAQs

How to use "who could possibly" in a sentence?

Use "who could possibly" to express disbelief or to rhetorically question the likelihood of something. For example, "Who could possibly believe such a far-fetched story?"

What can I say instead of "who could possibly"?

You can use alternatives like "who on earth could", "how could anyone", or "is it possible that anyone could" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "who can possibly" instead of "who could possibly"?

While "who can possibly" is grammatically correct, "who could possibly" often expresses a greater sense of disbelief or incredulity. "Can" suggests a potential, while "could" emphasizes the improbability.

What's the difference between "who could possibly" and "who would possibly"?

"Who could possibly" is generally used to express disbelief about a current or potential situation. "Who would possibly" often refers to a hypothetical scenario or action that seems unlikely to occur based on someone's preferences or character.