Cool MateIt could be vs Maybe they got it wrong vs Possibly
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
It could be
Maybe they got it wrong
Possibly
| It could be | Maybe they got it wrong | Possibly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //ɪt kʊd biː//🇺🇸 //ɪt kəd bi// | 🇬🇧 //ˈmeɪ.bi ðeɪ gɒt ɪt rɒŋ//🇺🇸 //ˈmeɪ.bi ðeɪ ɡɑt ɪt rɔŋ// | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈpɒsəbli/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈpɑːsəbli/"]/ |
| Meaning | This phrase means there's a possibility or uncertainty about something. | It might not be correct. | maybe or maybe not; not sure |
| Example | It could be raining tomorrow, so take an umbrella. | Maybe they got it wrong about the weather forecast. | It could possibly rain tomorrow, so take an umbrella. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 5,000 (fairly common) | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | - | - | B1 |
| Part of speech | adverb | ||
| Collocations | it could be true, it could be worse, it could be anything, it could be possible | got it wrong, say maybe, think maybe, believe maybe, consider maybe | possibly true, possibly available, possibly dangerous |
| Antonyms | - | - | definitely, certainly |
| Common mistakes | Using 'it could be' for certainty instead of possibility., Confusing with 'it might be', which is similar but slightly softer., Forgetting to follow with an appropriate noun or adjective. | Using 'maybe' in a definitive statement., Confusing 'maybe' with 'may be'., Omitting 'they' when stating personal guesses. | 'Possibly' is often confused with 'probably'—they mean different things., Learners may omit 'possibly' in sentences where it's needed., Some learners incorrectly use 'possibly' with the gerund form (e.g., 'possibly going'). |
| Usage notes | Use in predictions or suggestions. More casual than formal; avoid in strict academic writing. | Used in conversation to express uncertainty about someone's decision or opinion. Avoid in formal writing. | Use 'possibly' when you want to express uncertainty or doubt about something. It's generally neutral, suitable for both spoken and written contexts, but avoid it in very formal writing where you might prefer words like 'potentially'. |
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Frequently asked questions: It could be vs Maybe they got it wrong vs Possibly
What's the difference between It could be, Maybe they got it wrong, and Possibly?
It could be: This phrase means there's a possibility or uncertainty about something. Maybe they got it wrong: It might not be correct. Possibly: maybe or maybe not; not sure
Can you show an example of each?
It could be: It could be raining tomorrow, so take an umbrella. Maybe they got it wrong: Maybe they got it wrong about the weather forecast. Possibly: It could possibly rain tomorrow, so take an umbrella.
Can I use It could be, Maybe they got it wrong, and Possibly interchangeably?
Not always. It could be, Maybe they got it wrong, and Possibly 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.