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Possible vs. Possibly — What's the Difference?

Possible vs. Possibly — What's the Difference?

Difference Between Possible and Possibly

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Possible

Capable of happening, existing, or being true without contradicting proven facts, laws, or circumstances
Is it possible to move faster than the speed of light?.

Possibly

Perhaps
He hesitated, possibly remembering his unsuccessful last attempt.

Possible

Capable of becoming or of being made to be so; potential
Possible suspects in the case.
A possible site for the new capital.

Possibly

Conceivably
Could they possibly be here already?.

Possible

Capable of occurring or being done in accordance with something specified. Used with the superlative
You'll get the best possible care at this hospital.
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Possibly

Under any circumstances
I can't possibly do it.

Possible

Capable of happening but of uncertain likelihood
It is possible that you might feel some discomfort after the procedure.

Possibly

(modifying a clause or predicate) Perhaps; indicates that the proposition may be true (is not certainly false) regardless of any facts or circumstances known to, stated by or implied by the speaker.
Possibly, they will make gains in the midterm elections.
It was possibly the costliest mistake in the organization's history.
This rare and possibly unique specimen must be conserved.

Possible

Permissible
Is it possible to enter the gallery at this hour?.

Possibly

(modifying a verb) In the realm of possibility; indicates that the action may successfully be performed (is not impossible) regardless of any facts or circumstances known to, stated by or implied by the speaker that might limit the performance.
I'm much stronger than you, so you can't possibly win.
I couldn't possibly be there on time.
I couldn't possibly cheat on my wife.
It seems unlikely, but, yes, they could possibly win even now.
The police don't know him, and the information they have leads them to think he could possibly have murdered his wife.

Possible

Able but not certain to happen; neither inevitable nor impossible.
Rain tomorrow is possible, but I wouldn't bet on it.
It's not just possible, it's probable that there will be rain tomorrow.

Possibly

In a possible manner; by possible means; especially, by extreme, remote, or improbable intervention, change, or exercise of power; by a chance; perhaps; as, possibly he may recover.
Can we . . . possibly his love desert?
When possibly I can, I will return.

Possible

(comparable) Capable of being done or achieved; feasible.
It's possible for anyone to learn to pay the bagpipes.

Possibly

By chance;
Perhaps she will call tomorrow
We may possibly run into them at the concert
It may peradventure be thought that there never was such a time

Possible

Being considered, e.g. for a position.
Jones and Smith are both possible for the opening in sales.

Possibly

With a possibility of becoming actual;
Introducing possibly dangerous innovations
He is potentially dangerous
Potentially useful

Possible

Apparently valid, likely, plausible.

Possibly

In a manner or to a degree possible of conceiving;
Is it possibly true?

Possible

A possible one.

Possibly

To a degree possible of achievement or by possible means;
They can't possibly get here in time for the funeral?

Possible

A possible choice, notably someone being considered for a position.
Jones is a possible for the new opening in sales.

Possible

(rare) A particular event that may happen.

Possible

Capable of existing or occurring, or of being conceived or thought of; able to happen; capable of being done; not contrary to the nature of things; - sometimes used to express extreme improbability; barely able to be, or to come to pass; as, possibly he is honest, as it is possible that Judas meant no wrong.
With God all things are possible.

Possible

Something that can be done;
Politics is the art of the possible

Possible

An applicant who might be suitable

Possible

Capable of happening or existing;
A breakthrough may be possible next year
Anything is possible
Warned of possible consequences

Possible

Existing in possibility;
A potential problem
Possible uses of nuclear power

Possible

Possible to conceive or imagine;
That is one possible answer

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