Cool MatePerhaps vs Possibly
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Perhaps
Top 1,000 (very common)A2adverb
Possibly
Top 2,000 (common)B1adverb
Most common: Perhaps
| Perhaps | Possibly | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/pəˈhæps//præps/"]/🇺🇸 /["/pərˈhæps/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈpɒsəbli/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈpɑːsəbli/"]/ |
| Meaning | maybe; it might be true | maybe or maybe not; not sure |
| Example | ‘Are you going to come?’ ‘Perhaps. I'll see how I feel.’ | It could possibly rain tomorrow, so take an umbrella. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | A2 | B1 |
| Part of speech | adverb | adverb |
| Collocations | perhaps we should, perhaps it is, perhaps he thought | possibly true, possibly available, possibly dangerous |
| Antonyms | definitely, certainly | definitely, certainly |
| Common mistakes | 'Perhaps' can't be used as a noun., Confused with 'perchance', which is more archaic., Using 'perhaps' in very direct or commanding statements. | '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 'perhaps' in formal writing or speech. It's less common in casual conversations, where 'maybe' is preferred. Avoid using it when being certain. | 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 vs Possibly
What's the difference between Perhaps and Possibly?
Perhaps: maybe; it might be true Possibly: maybe or maybe not; not sure
Which is more common: Perhaps and Possibly?
Perhaps is the most common in everyday English.
Which is more advanced: Perhaps and Possibly?
Possibly is the highest level, at B1, on the CEFR scale.
Are Perhaps and Possibly the same CEFR level?
Perhaps: A2, Possibly: B1 on the CEFR scale.
What part of speech are Perhaps and Possibly?
Perhaps: adverb, Possibly: adverb.
Can you show an example of each?
Perhaps: ‘Are you going to come?’ ‘Perhaps. I'll see how I feel.’ Possibly: It could possibly rain tomorrow, so take an umbrella.
Can I use Perhaps and Possibly interchangeably?
Not always. Perhaps 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.