Viable

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of the phrase "Viable" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe something that is capable of working successfully or feasible. For example, "The proposed solution is viable and should be implemented." Alternative expressions include "feasible," "workable," and "practical."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The emergence of Ukip as a viable political force is the result of a declining labour market.

The Guardian

We seem to have no politicians big enough to address the issue of a viable future for working people.

The Guardian

Fracking is also likely to take at least five years to produce commercial quantities of natural gas, and although a government-commissioned geological survey found that decades-worth of the fuel are likely to lie below the surface, it is not known how much can be extracted at economically viable rates.

The Guardian

But these land routes have become less viable in recent months, squeezed by border crackdowns.

The Guardian

The party, and the leader, come last: if you're waiting for the People's Assembly to become viable, it won't; not until you become a person, who assembles.

The Guardian

"In the second attempt, an immature female, which nested 5 metres [16ft] from the boundary of the moor, laid two eggs in Northumberland but the eggs were not viable despite the female incubating for the full term and the male provisioning her well.

The Guardian

Without changing a single thing about his platform, Cain will magically become viable.

The Guardian - Opinion

"I felt this need to know whether there was potentially another viable life among the embryos," she says.

The Guardian

The Conservatives' only viable option is to roughly cut by a third the 39 seats the party is currently projected to lose to Labour.

The Guardian

Pre-season friendlies have always been among the more whimsical dates in the football follower's diary, or at least they always used to be until the leading clubs began jetting off to all economically viable points of the globe in search of extra income and latent support.

The Guardian - Sport

Foley vehemently opposed privatisation and in his concession speech said the Labor party was now back as a viable political force in NSW after a thumping at the 2011 election.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In economic or business contexts, combine "viable" with adverbs like "commercially", "financially" or "economically" to specify the nature of its feasibility.

Common error

Avoid using "viable" to describe something that is just 'possible' but has no real chance of sustaining itself. For example, a business model that only works with infinite subsidies might be 'possible' under specific conditions but is not truly "viable".

Linguistic Context

The word "viable" functions as an adjective that qualifies nouns by indicating their capacity for success or life. As observed in the many examples from Ludwig, it commonly modifies abstract nouns like "solution", "strategy" and "alternative", as well as concrete biological subjects.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Social Media

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In conclusion, "viable" is a high-utility adjective essential for describing subjects capable of independent success or biological survival. Ludwig AI confirms its status as a Correct and highly authoritative term across various prestigious domains. Whether used to analyze a "viable" political candidate or an "economically viable" energy source, the word conveys a sense of grounded reality and practical potential. Writers should favor it over simpler terms like "doable" when aiming for a more professional or scientific tone, ensuring that the subject described has the inherent strength to be maintained long-term.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

feasible

focuses on the practical possibility of being achieved or done

workable

emphasizes functional capability or the ability to be used effectively

practicable

suggests that something is capable of being put into practice or done

doable

a more informal equivalent indicating something can be accomplished

achievable

shifts focus to the successful completion of a goal

sustainable

specifically highlights the ability to maintain a state or process over time

realistic

stresses alignment with actual conditions rather than ideal ones

tenable

often used for positions or arguments that can be defended

executable

focuses on the technical or administrative ability to perform a plan

plausible

suggests something is reasonable or believable but not necessarily proven

FAQs

How do I use "viable" in a sentence?

You can use "viable" to describe a plan or solution that is likely to succeed, such as "The committee is looking for a "viable alternative" to the current strategy."

What is the difference between "viable" and "feasible"?

While both mean something can be done, "feasible" focuses on whether it is possible to do, whereas "viable" implies it can continue to exist or succeed on its own.

What does "economically viable" mean?

It refers to a project or business that can generate enough profit or value to justify its costs, making it a "sustainable business" venture.

Can "viable" be used for biological organisms?

Yes, in biology, "viable" describes an organism or cell that is capable of living and developing independently, such as a "viable seed" or embryo.