a moderate possibility

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a moderate possibility" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the likelihood of an event occurring, indicating that it is neither highly likely nor unlikely. Example: "There is a moderate possibility of rain tomorrow, so you might want to bring an umbrella just in case."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

After scientists found a moderate possibility that the strain could trigger allergic reactions in some people, the government registered the corn for use only in animal feed and biofuels, and imposed safeguards to keep it out of the food processing chain.

The New York Times

Placing these observations on the continuum of construct validity, we have on its very left side an excellent distinctiveness of the KINDL subscales, discriminant validity, and somewhere on its middle a moderate possibility of the items to measure common underlying constructs of each domain.

Health and Quality of Life Outcomes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

This rather sounds like Arthur Schlesinger's "vital center," absorbing and coopting the more moderate possibilities of movement politics.

Huffington Post

On the whole, if one uses these four criteria to select models for given sequence data, variance in best-fit models could be encountered with the greatest possibility of two different models, followed by moderate possibilities of one same model, and three models; there is little or no chance of encountering four different best-fit models.

BMC Evolutionary Biology

"That lack of unity really opened up the possibility for a moderate to win," said Mark DiCamillo, the director of the Field Poll in California.

The New York Times

Yes once I thought there was the possibility of a moderate republican who could make the race with.

Huffington Post

"Yes once I thought there was the possibility of a moderate republican who could make the race with Obama at least interesting.

Huffington Post

Finally, a meta-analysis of randomised trials of corticosteroids in head injury shows that existing trials are too small to demonstrate or to refute the possibility of a moderate but clinically important benefit [ 10].

Critical Care

If the President wanted a moderate, Powell and Tom Ridge would be obvious possibilities.

The New Yorker

Individuals in a moderate category admit to a statistical possibility of injuries susceptibility.

BMC Public Health

Pre-existing populations of DR pathogens (i.e., resistance that appears prior to exposure to treatment) favor a moderate approach, since there is no possibility that a hard-and-fast approach will clear the infection before resistance can arise.

eLife

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a moderate possibility" when you want to convey that an outcome is neither certain nor improbable, providing a balanced assessment of likelihood.

Common error

Avoid using "a moderate possibility" when the event is highly probable or nearly impossible. Use stronger or weaker terms to accurately reflect the situation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a moderate possibility" functions as a noun phrase acting as a subject complement or object of a preposition. It denotes a level of likelihood that is neither high nor low, indicating an intermediate chance of something occurring, as shown in the Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a moderate possibility" is a phrase used to describe an event that has a reasonable, yet not guaranteed, chance of occurring. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's grammatically correct and suitable for various contexts, including News & Media and Science. While relatively infrequent, its use conveys a balanced assessment of likelihood. When using this phrase, ensure it accurately reflects the situation's probability, avoiding overstatements or understatements. Ludwig's examples demonstrate its application in real-world scenarios, solidifying its role in expressing informed estimations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a reasonable chance

Focuses on the likelihood of something occurring, emphasizing its plausibility.

a fair prospect

Highlights the potential for something positive to happen, suggesting a balanced outlook.

a distinct likelihood

Emphasizes the clarity and noteworthiness of the chance.

a plausible scenario

Shifts the focus to the believability of a situation unfolding in a particular way.

a credible opportunity

Highlights the trustworthiness and feasibility of a chance.

a realistic expectation

Implies that the possibility is grounded in practical considerations.

a conceivable outcome

Focuses on the imaginability and theoretical viability of the event.

a tangible potential

Emphasizes the real and measurable aspect of the possibility.

a viable option

Highlights that something is practical and able to be done.

a halfway chance

Offers a less formal alternative, implying a 50/50 chance.

FAQs

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

Use "a moderate possibility" to indicate that an event has a reasonable, but not guaranteed, chance of occurring. For example: "There is "a moderate possibility" of delays due to the weather."

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

You can use alternatives such as "a reasonable chance", "a fair prospect", or "a distinct likelihood" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is "a moderate possibility" formal or informal?

"A moderate possibility" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, providing a balanced and neutral tone.

How does "a moderate possibility" differ from "a slight possibility"?

"A moderate possibility" indicates a higher degree of likelihood than "a slight possibility", suggesting that the event is more likely to occur than not.