Possibly Meaning(定義、用法、例句與發音)

possibly

adverb

快速理解

What does "Possibly" mean?What are 2-3 core uses of "Possibly"?

「possibly」表示某事可能發生、存在或屬實,常用於表達不確定性或提出禮貌的請求。

  1. 1

    可能性

    EN: Used to say that something might happen or be true.

    翻譯: 用於表示某事可能發生或屬實。

  2. 2

    不確定性

    EN: Used to express uncertainty or doubt about something.

    翻譯: 用於表達對某事的不確定性或懷疑。

  3. 3

    禮貌請求

    EN: Used to make a polite request or suggestion.

    翻譯: 用於提出禮貌的請求或建議。

  4. 4

    極限程度

    EN: Used with 'can' or 'could' to emphasize the maximum extent of something.

    翻譯: 與「can」或「could」連用,強調某事的最大程度。

小提醒:注意「possibly」與「maybe」的強度差異。「possibly」通常表示的可能性較低,或帶有更多不確定性;而「maybe」則較為中性常用。在正式或書面語中,「possibly」也常用於使請求聽起來更禮貌委婉。

發音(How to Pronounce "Possibly" in English

How to pronounce "Possibly" in English?"Possibly" US vs UK pronunciation

點擊下方的 US / UK 按鈕可播放發音。

Real-life Examples of "Possibly" from YouTube Videos

Why are these 32 symbols found in caves all over Europe | Genevieve von Petzinger | TED

TED

Or what about celestial objects like star constellations, Or maybe even rivers, mountains, trees -- landscape features, possibly like this black penniform surrounded by strange bell-shaped signs from the site of El Castillo in Spain.

(1 out of 75)

Definitions(定義)

What are the definitions of "Possibly"?How does "Possibly" change by context?

1. used to say that something might be true or might happen

表示某事可能是真的或可能發生

He's possibly the best player on the team.

他可能是隊上最好的球員。

It will possibly rain later.

稍後可能會下雨。

2. used to emphasize that you are surprised, puzzled, or shocked by something

用於強調對某事感到驚訝、困惑或震驚

How could you possibly think that was a good idea?

你怎麼可能會認為那是個好主意?

I can't possibly finish all this work by tomorrow.

我絕不可能在明天之前完成所有這些工作。

3. used when making a polite request or suggestion

用於提出禮貌的請求或建議時

Could you possibly lend me your pen?

可以麻煩你借我你的筆嗎?

Would it be possibly to reschedule the meeting?

有沒有可能重新安排會議時間?

4. used to say that something is the best, worst, etc. that you can imagine

用於表示某事是你能想像到的最好、最壞等情況

That was possibly the worst movie I've ever seen.

那可能是我看過最糟糕的電影。

This is possibly the most important decision of her life.

這可能是她人生中最重要的決定。

Grammar & Patterns(句型)

What are common sentence patterns for "Possibly"?How to make natural sentences with "Possibly"?
PatternMeaningExample
possibly + modal verb (could, might, may)表示某事也許或大概會發生Possibly we could finish the project by Friday. (我們或許能在週五前完成這個專案。)
possibly + adjective (superlative)用於最高級形容詞前,強調極限或最大可能性This is possibly the best meal I've ever had. (這可能是我吃過最好的一餐。)
cannot/can't possibly + verb表示某事絕對不可能或極不合理I can't possibly agree to those terms. (我絕不可能同意那些條件。)
as ... as possibly can/could盡可能地…Please work as quickly as you possibly can. (請盡你所能地快速工作。)
possibly + negative adverb (never, no one)加強否定語氣,表示「根本不可能」There is possibly no one who knows the answer. (很可能根本沒人知道答案。)

用法說明

How is "Possibly" different from similar structures?What usage mistakes are common with "Possibly"?

possibly + 動詞原形 vs possibly + 動詞-ing

  • possibly + 動詞原形 是最常見且標準的用法,表示「可能地」做某事,通常與情態動詞(如 can, could, may, might)連用,或直接用於否定句、疑問句中。
  • possibly + 動詞-ing 在標準英語中並不正確,應避免使用。動詞-ing 形式通常緊接在介詞或特定動詞(如 enjoy, avoid)之後,而 possibly 是副詞,不能直接連接動詞-ing。
  • 若要表達「可能在做某事」,應使用 possibly be + 動詞-ing 的進行式結構。
  • 同樣地,possibly 後面也不接 to do 的不定式結構。正確的搭配是情態動詞 + possibly + 動詞原形。 EN: We can possibly finish the project by Friday. 翻譯: 我們有可能在週五前完成這個專案。

EN:He is possibly working from home today.

翻譯:他今天可能在家工作。

EN:It might possibly rain later.

翻譯:稍後可能會下雨。

EN:I cannot possibly agree to those terms.

翻譯:我絕不可能同意那些條款。

總結建議

標準用法是 possibly 搭配情態動詞及動詞原形,或用於 be possibly + V-ing 結構,應避免直接連接 doingto do

易混淆對比

What is the difference between "Possibly" and similar words?How to choose "Possibly" vs alternatives?

possibly vs perhaps

「possibly」強調客觀可能性,常與 can、could、may 連用;「perhaps」則更偏向主觀推測或委婉建議,語氣較不確定。

possibly vs maybe

「possibly」較正式,強調客觀可能性;「maybe」較口語化,表示不確定性或非正式提議。

possibly vs potentially

「possibly」指某事可能發生;「potentially」強調某事具有潛在的能力或未來發展的可能性。

口語用法

How is "Possibly" used in spoken English?What is the spoken vs formal difference for "Possibly"?

引述

在引述他人的話或想法時,用來表示不確定性,語氣較為委婉。 EN: He said he might possibly be late. 翻譯: 他說他可能會遲到。

EN:I heard they're possibly moving to a new office.

翻譯:我聽說他們可能要搬到新的辦公室。

語氣強調

與否定詞或疑問詞連用,用來加強不確定或懷疑的語氣。 EN: How could you possibly know that? 翻譯: 你怎麼可能會知道那件事?

EN:There's no way she could possibly finish it alone.

翻譯:她絕不可能獨自完成這件事。

停頓填充

在對話中作為思考時的填充詞,用來緩和語氣或爭取思考時間。 EN: Well, possibly... let me think about it. 翻譯: 嗯,可能吧…讓我想想。

EN:That's... possibly... not the best idea.

翻譯:那個…可能…不是最好的主意。

注意:在正式書寫中(如學術論文、商業報告),應避免將 "possibly" 用作停頓填充詞,以保持文體的嚴謹性。

常見短語

What common collocations use "Possibly"?What fixed phrases with "Possibly" should I remember?

possibly as

possibly as + adjective/adverb

可能達到...的程度

possibly the

possibly the + superlative adjective + noun

可能是最...的

could possibly

could possibly + verb

有可能會

most possibly

most possibly

極有可能

possibly due to

possibly due to + noun phrase

可能由於

if possibly

if possibly + clause

如果可能的話

anything possibly

anything (that) possibly + verb

任何可能...的事物

常見錯誤

What are common mistakes with "Possibly"?Which "Possibly" sentences look correct but are wrong?

×He is possibly to come tomorrow.

He might possibly come tomorrow.

「possibly」是副詞,不能直接修飾不定詞「to come」。應與情態動詞(如 might, could, can)連用,或使用「It is possible that...」的句型。

×I can't possibly to finish this work.

I can't possibly finish this work.

在情態動詞(can't, couldn't)後,「possibly」作為強調副詞,後面應接動詞原形,而非不定詞(to + V)。

×This is the possibly best solution.

This is possibly the best solution.

「possibly」作為副詞修飾整個句子或動詞,通常置於情態動詞後或句首。修飾形容詞(如 best)時,應置於冠詞(the)與形容詞之間,而非冠詞之前。

×Will you possibly help me?

Could you possibly help me?

在禮貌請求中,「possibly」通常與「could」或「can」連用,以表達委婉的語氣。使用「will」與「possibly」搭配在請求中較不自然。

×I don't think it will possibly rain.

I don't think it will possibly rain. (但更自然:I don't think it will rain. / It possibly won't rain.)

在否定句中,「possibly」通常與「can't/couldn't」連用來加強否定語氣。與「will not」連用較不常見,可能造成語意模糊。表達「可能不會」時,使用「might not」或「may not」更為自然。

詞形變化

What are the word forms of "Possibly"?What are tense/participle forms of "Possibly"?