a possible outpost

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a possible outpost" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a potential location or position that could serve as a base or station for operations or activities. Example: "The researchers identified a possible outpost for their expedition in the remote region of the Arctic."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

The Pompidou Center in Paris has been scouting the Luwan district for a possible outpost.

The New York Times - Travel

Ridley-Thomas is the prime mover behind an $8-million plan to convert a county-owned former courthouse in Culver City into a cultural center that he envisions including a possible outpost of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art and a media-arts education hub supported by Sony Pictures Entertainment.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

The news of the possible outpost follows a recent visit to Djibouti by People's Liberation Army Chief of Staff General Fang Fenghui.

Vice

The global exploration roadmap suggests, among other ambitious future space programmes, a possible manned outpost in lunar vicinity, to support surface operations and further astronaut training for longer and deeper space missions and transfers.

Acta Astronautica

The study foresees such a communications mission to be implemented at least after 2020 and a high data-rate requirement is imposed for the return of huge scientific data from massive robotic exploration or to allow video transmissions from a possible human outpost.

Advances in Space Research

"NASA is eying the Moon's south polar region as a possible site for future outposts.... NASA's lunar architects are also looking for what they call 'peaks of eternal light' -- polar mountains where the sun never sets, which might be a perfect settings for a solar power station".

Huffington Post

She was one of hundreds of rebels at this roadside outpost — a mosque, clinic and store dwarfed by the desert landscape massing for a possible assault on the pro-Qaddafi stronghold of Bani Walid.

The New York Times

WASHINGTON — American diplomatic outposts reopened throughout the Middle East on Sunday, easing the sense of imminent danger that has preoccupied the Obama administration since it learned of a possible terrorist attack from communications between two high-ranking officials of Al Qaeda two weeks ago.

The New York Times

Representatives from MINUSMA, the Wild Foundation and the DNEF visited the towns of Boni, Hombori and Mindoro in the province of Gourma in early October to identify possible new outposts for the 50 extra rangers the government has pledged to send to the region.

Vice

Standing in the central plaza, with a fife and drum company marching past, it's possible to slip back centuries to a time when St. Augustine thrived as a military outpost and vital colonial port for Spain.

The New York Times - Travel

Her owners lived in a rural outpost.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a possible outpost", ensure the context clearly indicates the area or purpose for which the outpost is being considered. This provides clarity and strengthens the sentence's impact.

Common error

Avoid using "a possible outpost" when a definite decision has already been made. Using it in such cases can create confusion and weaken your message. If the outpost is confirmed, use phrases that reflect certainty.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a possible outpost" functions as a noun phrase, where "possible" modifies the noun "outpost". It denotes a potential or conceivable location for a base or station. Ludwig AI's analysis confirms its proper grammatical structure.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a possible outpost" is a grammatically sound and usable phrase that refers to a potential location for a base or station. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. While not overly frequent, it appears primarily in news and scientific contexts. Related phrases include "a potential station" and "a prospective base". When using this phrase, ensure the context clarifies the location's purpose, and avoid using it when a definite decision has already been made. The phrase serves to introduce an option under consideration, maintaining a neutral level of formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a potential station

Replaces 'outpost' with 'station', suggesting a more generic facility.

a prospective base

Substitutes 'possible' and 'outpost' with 'prospective' and 'base', emphasizing future use.

a probable settlement

Replaces 'outpost' with 'settlement', implying a more permanent or inhabited location.

a conceivable location

Focuses on the 'location' aspect, highlighting its conceivability.

a likely position

Emphasizes the 'position' aspect and its probability.

a feasible site

Highlights the practicality of the 'site' as an outpost.

a hypothetical colony

Substitutes 'outpost' with 'colony', suggesting a larger scale and less certainty.

a tentative establishment

Replaces 'possible' with 'tentative', emphasizing the conditional nature of the establishment.

a theoretical foothold

Focuses on the strategic advantage, replacing 'outpost' with 'foothold'.

a suggested location

Indicates that the location is not yet confirmed, but under consideration.

FAQs

How can I use "a possible outpost" in a sentence?

Use "a possible outpost" when discussing a location that is being considered but not yet confirmed as a base or station. For example, "The team identified a coastal area as "a possible outpost" for their research expedition".

What are some alternatives to using "a possible outpost"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "a potential base", "a prospective station", or "a conceivable site" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it correct to say "the possible outpost" instead of "a possible outpost"?

While grammatically understandable, "the possible outpost" implies a specific outpost that is already known. "A possible outpost" suggests one among many potential locations.

What is the difference between "a possible outpost" and "a potential outpost"?

The terms are largely interchangeable. Both suggest a location that could serve as an outpost. "Possible" emphasizes the feasibility, while "potential" highlights the inherent qualities that make it suitable. In most contexts, using either phrase is appropriate.