conceivably
/kənˈsiːvəbli/ (bre, ipa) · /kənˈsiːvəbli/ (ame, ipa) · /kən-ˈsē-və-blē/ (ame, mw)
conceivably — adverb
1. used to say that something could be true or could happen, based on what you can
used to say that something could be true or could happen, based on what you can reasonably imagine or think of, even if it is not certain
Dr. Okonkwo could conceivably finish the surgery before noon if nothing goes wrong.
could conceivably + conditional if-clause
The village council could conceivably vote to reopen the old market next spring.
modal + conceivably with institutional subject
Mei-Lin was the only person who could conceivably solve the billing problem.
Conceivably, the apartment complex might charge a higher rent once the renovation is done.
Even with the budget cuts, the fire department could conceivably buy two new trucks.
- possibly
more common and neutral; does not carry the nuance of 'as one can imagine'
- perhaps
softer, more tentative; used more in spoken English
- potentially
focuses on future possibility or capability rather than imagination
- imaginably
closest in nuance but far less common; 'conceivably' is the standard choice
- inconceivably
the direct opposite — meaning something cannot be imagined or believed
文法句型
conceivably + could/might/may
could conceivably + verb
用法筆記
Almost always used with a modal verb (could, might, may) that introduces a hypothetical or conditional situation. The word emphasizes that the scenario is within the bounds of what one can imagine, not just a theoretical possibility.