a possible case of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a possible case of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a situation or condition that may be an example or instance of something, often in a speculative context. Example: "The symptoms presented by the patient suggest a possible case of influenza."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

This week in the magazine, David Grann writes about a possible case of wrongful execution.

The New Yorker

The police are investigating it as a possible case of insurance fraud.

The New York Times

WHO called this a possible case of human-to-human transmission.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Police have not ruled out a possible case of a serial killer targeting children.

Independent

One of those doctors notified the city's Health Department on Oct. 6 of a possible case of anthrax.

The New York Times

Spokesman Rodrigo Borges Petrilli said the crimes were being investigated as a possible case of gang warfare.

The Guardian

Officers had been called to a house in Melbourne to investigate a possible case of animal cruelty.

Independent

Kathy Griffin, 48, was shot multiple times in a possible case of mistaken identity in Fort Myers, Fla., early Friday.

The New York Times

But in a possible case of art imitating life, Mr. Ludlam said, the Metro-North train was out of service for a day recently.

The New York Times

"That's a double," he muttered, and replays appeared to show the ball trapped by the glove off the top of the fence, a possible case of fan interference.

The Guardian - Sport

I said at the time, without benefit of all the facts before me, that it looked like a possible case of excessive force.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a possible case of", ensure that you provide context or evidence to support the possibility you are presenting. This adds credibility to your statement.

Common error

Avoid presenting "a possible case of" as a confirmed fact. Clearly differentiate between suspicion, possibility, and established truth to maintain accuracy and avoid misleading your audience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a possible case of" functions as a qualifier or descriptor, introducing a situation where something is suspected or considered likely, but not yet confirmed. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Science

37%

Wiki

2%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a possible case of" is a frequently used phrase to introduce a situation that might be an example of something specific, but is not yet confirmed. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and widely employed across various contexts, particularly in news and scientific reporting. While alternatives like "a potential instance of" exist, "a possible case of" remains a straightforward and reliable option. Remember to provide adequate context and avoid presenting possibilities as confirmed facts. Finally, according to the data, it is very common across both scientific and general media outlets.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a possible occurrence of

Replaces "case" with "occurrence", keeping the meaning very close.

a potential instance of

Replaces "possible" with "potential" and "case" with "instance", emphasizing the likelihood of something occurring.

a potential situation of

Replaces "case" with "situation" and "possible" with "potential"

a conceivable example of

Substitutes "possible" with "conceivable" and "case" with "example", highlighting the plausibility of something.

a plausible instance of

Replaces "possible" with "plausible" and "case" with "instance", suggesting a reasonable scenario.

a likely situation involving

Replaces "case" with "situation" and rephrases to focus on the circumstances.

an apparent example of

Uses "apparent" to indicate that something seems to be the case, but might not be.

a suspected occurrence of

Uses "suspected" to imply a degree of doubt, and "occurrence" instead of "case".

a hypothetical situation of

Suggests a theoretical or speculative scenario.

a tentative diagnosis of

More specific to medical contexts, implying a preliminary assessment.

FAQs

How can I use "a possible case of" in a sentence?

Use "a possible case of" to introduce a situation that might be an instance of something, such as a disease, crime, or phenomenon. For example, "The doctor suspects "a possible case of influenza" based on the patient's symptoms."

What are some alternatives to "a possible case of"?

You can use alternatives like "a potential instance of", "a conceivable example of", or "a likely situation involving" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "a case of possible" instead of "a possible case of"?

No, the correct and more idiomatic phrasing is "a possible case of". Saying "a case of possible" is grammatically awkward and not commonly used.

What's the difference between "a possible case of" and "a suspected case of"?

"A possible case of" suggests a situation that might be true, while "a suspected case of" implies a higher degree of certainty or investigation into the matter.