could be
It's not impossible
Could be expresses possibility or uncertainty, functioning as a hedged affirmative.
It acknowledges that something might be true without committing to it: Think it'll rain? Could be.
The phrase often stands alone as a response, conveying cautious agreement or reluctant admission.
It can also introduce speculation: Could be he's just nervous.
- might beExpresses possibility
- may beExpression of uncertainty
- perhapsExpressing uncertainty
- possiblyWith some likelihood
- who knowsExpression of uncertainty
it's possible · potentially · maybe · hard to say · should be · uncertain · up in the air · likely · probable · remains to be seen · conceivable · imaginable · feasible · plausible · hypothetical · speculative · contingent · conditional
- uncertaintyuncertainty, uncertain, unknown, unsure, unclear
- modal phrasescan do, may be, might be, must be, should be
- Maybesmaybe, perhaps, possibly, probably, might
- possibilitiespossibility, chance, likelihood, probability, odds
- Possibilitymaybe, perhaps, possibly, might, may
- hedginghedging, hedge, hedges, hedge bet, qualifier
could bemust be
Is required to
is · for sure · without a doubt · guaranteed · without doubt
could beimpossible
Incapable of occurring
must be · inconceivable · out of the question · no way · ruled out