Cool MatePerhaps we'll find out vs Possibly
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Perhaps we'll find out
Top 3,000 (common)
Possibly
Top 2,000 (common)B1adverb
Most common: Possibly
| Perhaps we'll find out | Possibly | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //pəˈhæps wiːl faɪnd aʊt//🇺🇸 //pəˈhæps wil faɪnd aʊt// | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈpɒsəbli/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈpɑːsəbli/"]/ |
| Meaning | Maybe we will learn more later. | maybe or maybe not; not sure |
| Example | Perhaps we'll find out the answer by tomorrow. | It could possibly rain tomorrow, so take an umbrella. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 3,000 (common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | - | B1 |
| Part of speech | adverb | |
| Collocations | find out more, find out soon, find out later | possibly true, possibly available, possibly dangerous |
| Antonyms | - | definitely, certainly |
| Common mistakes | Using 'maybe' instead of 'perhaps' in formal contexts., Omitting 'we'll' and saying just 'Perhaps find out.', Confusing 'perhaps' with 'perchance,' which is outdated. | '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 | Used when suggesting a possibility without certainty. It's appropriate for both formal and informal conversations. | 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: Perhaps we'll find out vs Possibly
What's the difference between Perhaps we'll find out and Possibly?
Perhaps we'll find out: Maybe we will learn more later. Possibly: maybe or maybe not; not sure
Which is more common: Perhaps we'll find out and Possibly?
Possibly is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Perhaps we'll find out: Perhaps we'll find out the answer by tomorrow. Possibly: It could possibly rain tomorrow, so take an umbrella.
Can I use Perhaps we'll find out and Possibly interchangeably?
Not always. Perhaps we'll find out 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.