Cool MateArguably vs Possibly
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Arguably
Top 2,000 (common)C1adverb
Possibly
Top 2,000 (common)B1adverb
| Arguably | Possibly | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈɑːɡjuəbli/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈɑːrɡjuəbli/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈpɒsəbli/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈpɑːsəbli/"]/ |
| Meaning | It can be said that something is true. | maybe or maybe not; not sure |
| Example | He is arguably the best actor of his generation. | It could possibly rain tomorrow, so take an umbrella. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | C1 | B1 |
| Part of speech | adverb | adverb |
| Collocations | arguably the best, arguably true, arguably effective | possibly true, possibly available, possibly dangerous |
| Antonyms | undeniably, certainly, definitely, incontrovertibly | definitely, certainly |
| Common mistakes | Using 'arguably' too strongly without supporting evidence., Confusing it with 'arguably' as a noun., Forgetting to follow it with a specific claim or statement. | '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 'arguably' when making a statement that can be supported with evidence. It is often used in discussions or debates but may be too strong for casual conversation. | 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'. |
See it in real clips
Frequently asked questions: Arguably vs Possibly
What's the difference between Arguably and Possibly?
Arguably: It can be said that something is true. Possibly: maybe or maybe not; not sure
Which is more advanced: Arguably and Possibly?
Arguably is the highest level, at C1, on the CEFR scale.
Are Arguably and Possibly the same CEFR level?
Arguably: C1, Possibly: B1 on the CEFR scale.
What part of speech are Arguably and Possibly?
Arguably: adverb, Possibly: adverb.
Can you show an example of each?
Arguably: He is arguably the best actor of his generation. Possibly: It could possibly rain tomorrow, so take an umbrella.
Can I use Arguably and Possibly interchangeably?
Not always. Arguably 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.