a dubious possibility

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a dubious possibility" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing an option or outcome that is questionable or uncertain in nature. Example: "While there is a chance of success, it remains a dubious possibility given the current circumstances."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

GM must somehow convince Energy officials that it is solvent and creditworthy, a dubious possibility now that it has announced it will run out of cash by mid-2009 and will violate loan covenants on about $6 billion in debt very shortly.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

By chivalrously protecting them while citing their every virtue and his every flaw (making too much of his extremely minor sins, to promote the dubious possibility that he has been a bad brother), Colt is being loyal to his siblings, if not his readers.

The New York Times - Books

A possibility exists, probably remote at this point, that the papers could just fold, making Philadelphia the winner of a dubious sweepstakes: first major American city to be left without a daily newspaper.

The New York Times - Magazine

That leaves just two other possibilities, Herzog suggests: A rapid expansion of nuclear power, which has a low carbon footprint, but a dubious reputation, or rapid deployment of industrial-scale CCS.

Huffington Post

Is it a dubious endeavor?

The New York Times

"A dubious distinction," Pooley laughs.

The Guardian

His father, Morris Gershovitz, was a dubious patriarch.

The New Yorker

That was a dubious choice of gift.

The Economist

Again, this is a dubious claim.

The New York Times

It seems a dubious proposition.

The Guardian - Books

Bobby Cox set a dubious record.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a dubious possibility" when you want to express that something might happen, but you have serious doubts about it. It's suitable for conveying skepticism in a relatively formal tone.

Common error

Avoid using "a dubious possibility" when you want to express near certainty that something will not happen. In such cases, phrases like "an impossibility" or "highly improbable" are more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a dubious possibility" functions as a noun phrase, where "dubious" acts as an adjective modifying the noun "possibility". Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness, indicating it's used to describe something that is possible but unlikely or questionable.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a dubious possibility" is a grammatically sound phrase used to express skepticism about the likelihood of an event. Ludwig AI confirms it is relatively rare but correct, and frequently found in journalistic and, to a lesser extent, scientific contexts. When employing this phrase, ensure that it accurately reflects the degree of doubt you wish to convey, opting for stronger language if you aim to express near certainty of non-occurrence.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a doubtful prospect

Replaces "dubious" with "doubtful", a direct synonym.

a questionable prospect

Replaces "dubious" with "questionable" and "possibility" with "prospect", maintaining the sense of uncertainty.

an improbable outcome

Focuses on the unlikelihood of the result.

an unlikely eventuality

Substitutes "dubious possibility" with a stronger sense of improbability.

a remote chance

Emphasizes the low probability of the event occurring.

a slim hope

Highlights the minimal optimism associated with the possibility.

a faint prospect

Similar to "a slim hope", but using "prospect" instead of "hope".

a suspect opportunity

Frames the possibility as an "opportunity" that is viewed with suspicion.

an uncertain bet

Presents the possibility as a "bet" where the outcome is not known.

a chancy endeavor

Describes the possibility as an action or effort with a high degree of risk or uncertainty.

FAQs

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

You can use "a dubious possibility" to express skepticism about a potential outcome. For example: "While a full recovery is theoretically possible, it remains "a dubious possibility" given the severity of his injuries."

What's a more formal way to say "a dubious possibility"?

A more formal alternative to "a dubious possibility" would be "a questionable prospect" or "an unlikely eventuality".

What are some less formal alternatives to "a dubious possibility"?

Less formal options include "a remote chance" or "a slim hope".

Is "a dubious possibility" the same as "an impossibility"?

No, "a dubious possibility" suggests uncertainty or skepticism about something that might happen, whereas "an impossibility" indicates that something cannot happen under any circumstances.