a major possibility

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a major possibility" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the likelihood or potential of an event or outcome occurring. Example: "Given the current trends in the market, a major possibility is that we will see significant growth in the next quarter."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

* While the Rays have turned around their season, they're still in a situation where trading Price before the 31 July deadline remains a major possibility.

The Guardian - Sport

It turned out — and still turns out — that people's economic intuition, if untutored by models, missed a major possibility that is in fact probably the main story.

The New York Times

America might have had a different president (a major possibility), and the Iraq and Afghanistan wars might never have happened (an even greater possibility).

The New York Times

Dr. Nicholas Fisk, a senior maternal-fetal medicine specialist at Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital in Australia, said he once considered early fetal pain "a major possibility" after finding that fetuses receiving blood transfusions produced increased stress hormones and blood flow to the brain, and that painkillers lowered those levels.

The New York Times - Health

Turbocharged SI engines are a major possibility in the current trend of down-sized engines with preserved drivability performance.

Annual Reviews in Control

Turbo charged SI engines are a major possibility in the current trend of down-sized engines with preserved drivability performance.

IFAC Proceedings Volumes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

One major possibility should immediately come to mind.

Evolution: Education and Outreach

Another major possibility was that reduced [Na+]i resulted in enhanced Ca2+ efflux via NCX.

Cardiovascular Research

There are several major possibilities besides a random missing of these targets.

eLife

When they first came along, group and business pages on Facebook were an innovation that opened up some major possibilities.

Huffington Post

We have, then, two major possibilities.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a major possibility" when you want to emphasize the significance or impact of a potential outcome. It suggests that the outcome is not just possible, but also important to consider.

Common error

Avoid using "a major possibility" when the potential outcome is highly improbable or purely speculative. This phrase implies a significant degree of realism, so ensure the context supports this level of probability.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a major possibility" functions as a noun phrase that identifies and highlights an outcome or event that has a significant potential to occur. As demonstrated by Ludwig, this phrase appears in diverse contexts to suggest a noteworthy consideration.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

41%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a major possibility" is a phrase used to highlight a potential outcome that is both plausible and significant. According to Ludwig, it's grammatically correct and appears across various contexts, including News & Media and Science, making it suitable for neutral to professional communication. When using this phrase, ensure that the context supports the implication of importance. Alternatives include "a significant possibility" or "a strong likelihood", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey. Be mindful not to overstate the probability of the event when using this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a significant possibility

Replaces "major" with "significant", indicating notable but not necessarily dominant potential.

a distinct possibility

Emphasizes that the possibility is clearly defined and noticeable.

a strong likelihood

Shifts from 'possibility' to 'likelihood', implying a higher degree of probability.

a considerable prospect

Uses 'prospect' instead of 'possibility', suggesting a forward-looking view of potential.

a realistic chance

Focuses on the attainability and practicality of the potential outcome.

a viable option

Suggests that the possibility is not only likely but also practical and workable.

a credible scenario

Frames the possibility as a plausible sequence of events.

a noteworthy contingency

Highlights the importance and potential impact of the possibility.

an important consideration

Indicates the possibility should be taken into account during planning or decision-making.

a foremost likelihood

Emphasizes the high probability and prominence of the likelihood.

FAQs

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

Use "a major possibility" to highlight a significant potential outcome, such as: "Given the positive test results, a full recovery is "a major possibility"."

What are some alternatives to "a major possibility"?

Alternatives include "a significant chance", "a strong likelihood", or "a distinct possibility", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it more appropriate to say "a major possibility" or "a high probability"?

"A major possibility" emphasizes the importance or impact of the potential outcome, while "a high probability" focuses on the likelihood of it occurring. The choice depends on the context and what you want to emphasize.

What's the difference between "a minor possibility" and "a major possibility"?

"A minor possibility" suggests an outcome is unlikely or insignificant, whereas "a major possibility" indicates an outcome that is both plausible and consequential.