a credible possibility

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a credible possibility" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a possibility that is believable or realistic. Example: "There is a credible possibility that the company will see an increase in profits this quarter, based on their recent sales figures."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

The CAS found that Campbell-Brown established a "credible" possibility that her positive test resulted from Jamaica's failure to comply with the international standards for partial sample testing.

The Guardian - Sport

At the time of writing, astonishing levels of control in proof-of-principle experiments (cf. the above references and citations within) suggest that quantum simulation is transitioning from a theoretical dream into a credible possibility.

EPJ Quantum Technology

But he added: "I don't think that we would have gotten to this point unless we had maintained a credible possibility of a military strike, and I don't think now is the time for us to let up on that".

BBC

But he suggested the matter would never have arisen in talks between Russia and Syria "unless we had maintained a credible possibility of a military strike, and I don't think now is the time for us to let up on that".

BBC

"I don't think we would have gotten to this point unless we had maintained a credible possibility for a military strike and I don't think now is the time for us to let up on that," Obama said.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Devin laid out a few credible possibilities when the news first broke, but the official rationale is still under wraps for now.

TechCrunch

By contrast, 'phonic' in conjunction with 'mediated: congruent' tells a significantly different story – that despite the intervention of some agency, human or mechanical, the 'natural' pairing of oral-aural is maintained; moreover a credible variant possibility exists that if 'mediated' reception could have been 'incongruent'; the 'spoken' may be received as writing.

Functional Linguistics

Hogan noted that the coming week may bring a number of surprises, as a host of catalysts await investors, not to mention the credible possibility of earnings pre-reporting as the second quarter draws to a close.

Forbes

(If none of this happens, I can pull an Ashcroft, explaining that only my alert to the world of its credible possibility prevented it from happening. And if I do get lucky and win the trifecta, you'll never hear the end of it).

The New York Times

THE CREATIVE DESTRUCTION OF MANHATTAN, 1900-1940 By Max Page University of Chicago Press (Hardcover, $27.50) During his brief return in 1904 from self-imposed exile in Europe, Henry James played an eloquent variation on a powerful theme about New York: The city is "crowned not only with no history, but with no credible possibility of time for history".

The New York Times

"The discovery of the Hobbit has opened up the credible possibility of other undiscovered human species being 'out there', perhaps buried metres underground like the Hobbit, or tucked away in a museum drawer, unrecognised for what it truly is - another new species, but misidentified as an 'unusual' modern human or an earlier species of human well-known to science," he told BBC News.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a credible possibility" when you want to emphasize that a potential outcome is not just theoretically possible, but also reasonably believable based on available evidence or logical reasoning.

Common error

Avoid using "a credible possibility" sarcastically or ironically. If you mean to convey that something is not likely or believable, choose phrases like "a remote chance" or "an unlikely scenario" to prevent misinterpretation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a credible possibility" functions as a noun phrase, acting as a subject complement or object in a sentence. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it describes a potential situation or outcome that is believable or realistic.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a credible possibility" is a noun phrase that describes a potential outcome that is believable and realistic. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. While not extremely common, the phrase appears in reputable news sources, scientific publications, and other contexts where conveying a sense of realistic potential is important. When using this phrase, be sure to emphasize that there is evidence or reasoning to back up the claim of likelihood. Alternatives include "a plausible scenario" or "a realistic chance". Avoid ironic usage, and remember to clearly signal when something is not a likely prospect.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a plausible scenario

Replaces 'possibility' with 'scenario' and 'credible' with 'plausible', focusing on the realistic nature of the situation.

a believable prospect

Substitutes 'credible' with 'believable' and 'possibility' with 'prospect', emphasizing the trustworthiness of the potential outcome.

a realistic chance

Replaces 'credible' with 'realistic' and 'possibility' with 'chance', highlighting the grounded nature of the opportunity.

a genuine prospect

Swaps 'credible' for 'genuine' and 'possibility' for 'prospect', suggesting an authentic and real potential.

a valid potential

Changes 'credible' to 'valid' and 'possibility' to 'potential', underlining the legitimacy and inherent capacity.

a reasonable expectation

Replaces "possibility" with "expectation" and "credible" with "reasonable", changing from what could happen to what one could assume will happen.

a likely outcome

Emphasizes the probability of the result, rather than the mere potential.

a conceivable eventuality

Uses "conceivable eventuality" for "credible possibility", broadening the scope from the probable to that which can be imagined or conceived.

a tangible prospect

Replaces "credible" with "tangible" to highlight that the "prospect" is real or concrete.

a distinct likelihood

Changes "credible possibility" into "distinct likelihood", emphasizing the probability is clear or unmistakable.

FAQs

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

You can use "a credible possibility" to suggest that something might happen and that there are good reasons to believe it. For example: "There is "a credible possibility" that interest rates will rise soon."

What are some alternatives to "a credible possibility"?

Some alternatives to "a credible possibility" include "a plausible scenario", "a realistic chance", or "a believable prospect". Choose the phrase that best fits the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

What makes a possibility "credible"?

A possibility is considered "credible" when it is supported by evidence, logical reasoning, or expert opinion. It suggests that the possibility is not just a random guess, but has a reasonable basis in reality.

Is it better to say "credible possibility" or "plausible possibility"?

Both "credible possibility" and "plausible possibility" are acceptable. "Credible" emphasizes believability and trustworthiness, while "plausible" highlights that something appears reasonable or likely given the circumstances. The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to express.