Cool MateCould be vs It's just possible
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Could be
Top 2,000 (common)
It's just possible
Beyond 10,000 (less common)
Most common: Could be
| Could be | It's just possible | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //kʊd biː//🇺🇸 //kʊd bi// | 🇬🇧 //ɪts dʒʌst ˈpɒsəbl//🇺🇸 //ɪts dʒʌst ˈpɑːsəbl// |
| Meaning | Might happen or be true. | It could happen but it's not likely. |
| Example | It could be raining later, so take an umbrella. | There’s a chance of rain tomorrow, but it's just possible. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Beyond 10,000 (less common) |
| Collocations | could be true, could be helpful, could be dangerous, could be possible | it's just possible that, it's just possible to, it's just possible for |
| Antonyms | - | impossible, unlikely |
| Common mistakes | Using 'could be' with certainty instead of possibility., Confusing it with 'should be' which indicates obligation., Ommiting 'could' when expressing hypothetical situations. | Confused with 'it's possible' which is more definite., Using it in situations that require stronger certainty., Not using it when expressing a cautious opinion. |
| Usage notes | Use 'could be' for possibilities, especially in spoken English. Avoid in very formal writing. | Use this phrase to express uncertainty. It's appropriate in both spoken and written contexts, but more common in conversational situations. |
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Frequently asked questions: Could be vs It's just possible
What's the difference between Could be and It's just possible?
Could be: Might happen or be true. It's just possible: It could happen but it's not likely.
Which is more common: Could be and It's just possible?
Could be is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Could be: It could be raining later, so take an umbrella. It's just possible: There’s a chance of rain tomorrow, but it's just possible.
Can I use Could be and It's just possible interchangeably?
Not always. Could be and It's just possible are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.