a common possibility

USAGE SUMMARY

"a common possibility" is an acceptable phrase to use in written English.
You can use it to refer to something that could potentially happen, or something that is likely to happen. For example, "Adding extra storage space to the kitchen is a common possibility for many homeowners."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

A common possibility to further improve strength and creep behavior of such β-solidifying TiAl alloys is e.g. alloying with β-stabilizing substitutional solid solution hardening elements Nb, Mo, Ta, W as well as the addition of interstitial hardening elements C and N which are also carbide and nitride forming elements.

Intermetallics

The goal of personalised medicine and the potential of drug repurposing are a powerful combination which share a common possibility of developing treatments for rare disease and those diseases termed 'orphan'.

Annals of Hematology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

At this point sex trafficking becomes an unspeakable but all too common possibility for many of these children.

Huffington Post

Conversion is a common grammatical possibility, whereby a member of a grammatical category is used in the morphosyntactic environment characteristic of another grammatical category.

SEP

The second, perhaps more common, possibility is the non-deliberate mixing of O. glaberrima within O. sativa seed stocks.

Plosone

The causes for dry skin above are just a few of the most common possibilities.

WikiHow

Just a few other causes for dry skin include: The causes for dry skin above are just a few of the most common possibilities.

WikiHow

This new Working Group will allow us build on our common values and seize the common possibilities that lie ahead of us.

The New York Times

As gene tests become common, possibilities for abuse will intensify.

Forbes

It extends the common possibilities of data selections to act as data annotations, to convey and to communicate users' findings.

Computer Graphics Forum

Some of the more common possibilities for responding include: Neutral comments can work sometimes.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a common possibility", ensure the context clearly establishes what is being considered as likely. This avoids ambiguity and strengthens the statement.

Common error

Avoid using "a common possibility" when the event is actually quite rare. This can mislead your audience and undermine your credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a common possibility" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as a subject complement or object in a sentence. It denotes something that is both likely and frequently occurring, according to Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

33%

Wiki

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a common possibility" is a phrase used to describe an event or outcome that is both likely and frequently observed. According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and suitable for various contexts, including science, news, and general discussions. While it is considered a fairly common expression, ensure you use it accurately to avoid overstating the likelihood of an event. Alternatives such as "a frequent likelihood" or "a typical potentiality" can be used to fine-tune the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a frequent likelihood

Replaces 'possibility' with 'likelihood' and 'common' with 'frequent', emphasizing the high chance of something happening.

a typical potentiality

Substitutes 'common' with 'typical' and 'possibility' with 'potentiality', highlighting the normalcy of a potential outcome.

a standard eventuality

Changes 'common' to 'standard' and 'possibility' to 'eventuality', suggesting that the outcome is a normal expectation.

a usual prospect

Replaces 'common' with 'usual' and 'possibility' with 'prospect', indicating a normal expectation of a future event.

a regular chance

Alters 'common' to 'regular' and 'possibility' to 'chance', signifying a familiar and recurring opportunity.

a widespread option

Swaps 'common' for 'widespread' and 'possibility' for 'option', pointing out that the choice is broadly available.

a prevailing trend

Replaces 'common' with 'prevailing' and 'possibility' with 'trend', underlining that the event is part of a current fashion.

a familiar occurrence

Substitutes 'common' for 'familiar' and 'possibility' for 'occurrence', indicating the event is already known.

a general presumption

Changes 'common' to 'general' and 'possibility' to 'presumption', highlighting that the outcome is usually expected.

a shared expectation

Alters 'common' to 'shared' and 'possibility' to 'expectation', emphasizing the widely-held belief in a particular result.

FAQs

How can I use "a common possibility" in a sentence?

Use "a common possibility" to indicate something that frequently occurs or is likely to happen. For example, "Increased traffic during rush hour is "a common possibility" in urban areas".

What are some alternatives to saying "a common possibility"?

You can use alternatives like "a frequent likelihood", "a typical potentiality", or "a standard eventuality" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "a common possibility" or "a likely outcome"?

While both phrases are similar, "a common possibility" suggests that something occurs frequently, whereas "a likely outcome" focuses on the probability of a specific result. Choose the phrase that best fits the context.

When should I avoid using the phrase "a common possibility"?

Avoid using "a common possibility" if the situation you're describing is actually rare or improbable. This phrase implies a higher degree of likelihood and frequency than may be accurate.