who could possibly know

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "who could possibly know" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express uncertainty or to emphasize the difficulty of knowing something. Example: "In a world full of mysteries, who could possibly know the truth behind ancient civilizations?"

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Who could possibly know?

The New York Times

Who could possibly know this much?

The Washington Post

But who could possibly know?

BBC

Of course, who could possibly know that there are so many species of lemurs -- the unforgettable bamboo lemur, the brown lemur, the hustle lemur and the adorable (and my personal favorite) -- the mouse lemur.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

There just really isn't a performer I know besides Andrews who could possibly live up to my expectations for Maria.

The Washington Post

Part of it is the opacity: nobody who isn't in it could possibly know what it's like.

The Guardian - Business

How absurd is the idea that someone other than me could possibly know who I am?

Huffington Post

Though it results in some dramatic set pieces, this narrative strategy can be distracting for the reader, who frequently stops to wonder how Dolores could possibly know what she is describing with such omniscient fervor.

The New York Times - Books

Anyone who read her book would know much more about this brave and wise author than all but her closest friends, colleagues, or acquaintances could possibly know.

The New Yorker

There is something that nobody else could possibly know.

The New York Times

"No one could possibly know what I am going through".

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "who could possibly know" to express genuine uncertainty or disbelief, particularly when emphasizing the mysterious or unpredictable nature of a situation.

Common error

Avoid using "who could possibly know" in highly formal or academic writing, as it can sometimes come across as too informal or rhetorical. Opt for more direct and objective language to convey uncertainty.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "who could possibly know" functions as a rhetorical question used to express uncertainty or disbelief. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usage in various contexts. It serves to emphasize the difficulty or impossibility of knowing something.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

8%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Reference

1%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "who could possibly know" is a grammatically sound phrase used to express uncertainty, doubt, or incredulity. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and common use in News & Media. While versatile, it's best suited for neutral to informal contexts and less appropriate for strictly formal or academic writing. Consider alternatives like "it is difficult to ascertain" in more formal settings. Its primary function is rhetorical, emphasizing the challenge or impossibility of knowing something, as revealed by the collected examples.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

who can truly say

Emphasizes the difficulty of definitively stating something with certainty.

who might ever guess

Highlights the unpredictable nature of a situation, suggesting that the outcome is difficult to foresee.

who would have predicted

Focuses on the unexpectedness of an event, implying that it was not easily foreseeable.

is anyone really aware

Questions the level of understanding or knowledge that people possess about a particular topic.

who is to say

Presents the idea that there's no single authority to confirm or deny something.

how could anyone ascertain

Focuses on the difficulty of establishing something as fact, given the available information.

who is capable of knowing

Implies that understanding requires capabilities most don't have.

who even knows

Highlights a lack of knowledge or awareness about a particular subject.

it's hard to imagine anyone knowing

Expresses a difficulty in conceiving someone having specific information.

what is there to know

Questions the importance or relevance of knowing something, suggesting there might be nothing to learn.

FAQs

How can I use "who could possibly know" in a sentence?

You can use "who could possibly know" to express uncertainty or disbelief about something. For example, "After all these changes, "who could possibly know" what the future holds?"

What's a more formal alternative to "who could possibly know"?

In formal contexts, consider using phrases like "it is difficult to ascertain", "it remains uncertain", or "the answer is unknown" instead of ""who could possibly know"".

Is it ever incorrect to use "who could possibly know"?

While grammatically correct, ""who could possibly know"" might be inappropriate in highly formal or technical writing where a more objective tone is expected.

What is the nuance of "who could possibly know"?

"Who could possibly know" often implies a sense of wonder, disbelief, or a rhetorical challenge, rather than a simple lack of information. It suggests that the answer is either extremely difficult or perhaps even impossible to determine.