Cool MateCould be vs Maybe it's also possible
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Could be
Top 2,000 (common)
Maybe it's also possible
Top 3,000 (common)
Most common: Could be
| Could be | Maybe it's also possible | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //kʊd biː//🇺🇸 //kʊd bi// | 🇬🇧 //ˈmeɪbi ɪts ˈɔːlsoʊ ˈpɒsəbl//🇺🇸 //ˈmeɪbi ɪts ˈɔlsoʊ ˈpɑsəbl// |
| Meaning | Might happen or be true. | It might be possible. |
| Example | It could be raining later, so take an umbrella. | Maybe it's also possible to complete the project early. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 3,000 (common) |
| Collocations | could be true, could be helpful, could be dangerous, could be possible | maybe it's true, maybe it's worth, maybe it's best, maybe it's fine, maybe it's necessary |
| Common mistakes | Using 'could be' with certainty instead of possibility., Confusing it with 'should be' which indicates obligation., Ommiting 'could' when expressing hypothetical situations. | Using 'may' instead of 'maybe' incorrectly., Confusing with 'perhaps' which is more formal., Omitting 'it's' and saying just 'maybe possible'. |
| Usage notes | Use 'could be' for possibilities, especially in spoken English. Avoid in very formal writing. | Used to suggest a possibility; appropriate in both spoken and written English. Avoid in very formal contexts. |
See it in real clips
Frequently asked questions: Could be vs Maybe it's also possible
What's the difference between Could be and Maybe it's also possible?
Could be: Might happen or be true. Maybe it's also possible: It might be possible.
Which is more common: Could be and Maybe it's also 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. Maybe it's also possible: Maybe it's also possible to complete the project early.
Can I use Could be and Maybe it's also possible interchangeably?
Not always. Could be and Maybe it's also 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.