a possible trial

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a possible trial" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the potential for a trial or test of something, often in a legal or experimental context. Example: "The researchers are considering a possible trial to test the effectiveness of the new drug."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

He was released Friday in the custody of the United States Embassy pending a possible trial.

The New York Times

They all have been released pending further investigation and a possible trial.

The New York Times

The appeals court said evidence could be collected for a possible trial.

The Economist

The decision clears the way for a possible trial of Egypt's ousted leader.

Independent

Others said the choice could reflect Mueller's reputation for planning ahead and gaming out a possible trial.

The Washington Post

It has the immediate effect of sending Acosta back to the White House, pending further arguments and a possible trial.

The Washington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

6 human-written examples

Several people with knowledge of the case said it was unlikely that Mr. Giuliani would be called as a witness at any possible trial.

The New York Times

No sooner had her county been identified as one of a handful of possible trial sites than Ms. LeClair, a tourism official, was collecting business cards and pulling together promotional materials.

The New York Times

HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius then asked the Presidential Commission for the Study of Bioethical Issues to take a look at that possible trial and the broader issues.

Science Magazine

At this point, fusion is not straightforward, as not all the systems to be fused output a score for every possible trial (i.e., detection); hence, before fusion, the detection problem is transformed into a verification problem.

EURASIP Journal on Audio, Speech, and Music Processing

Within DMC, we start with some particular system configuration as the initial state, and then generate a sequence of other possible trial configurations.

Biophysical Journal

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a possible trial" to refer to a situation where legal or experimental proceedings might occur, but are not yet certain. For clarity, specify the conditions or events that would lead to the trial.

Common error

Avoid using "a possible trial" when the trial is already confirmed and scheduled. In such cases, use phrases like "the upcoming trial" or "the scheduled trial" to reflect the confirmed nature of the event.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a possible trial" functions as a noun phrase, where "possible" modifies the noun "trial". It typically acts as a subject or object in a sentence, denoting a situation where a trial might occur but isn't definite. Ludwig provides numerous examples of its use in legal and experimental contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

88%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a possible trial" is a common phrase used to denote a situation where a trial might occur but isn't yet certain. According to Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and most frequently found in news and media contexts, indicating discussions about potential legal or experimental proceedings. When using this phrase, ensure that the context clearly reflects the uncertainty surrounding the trial. Alternatives such as "a potential trial" or "a future trial" can be used depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a potential trial

Replaces "possible" with "potential", emphasizing the inherent possibility.

a prospective trial

Substitutes "possible" with "prospective", suggesting anticipation of a trial.

a conceivable trial

Replaces "possible" with "conceivable", indicating a trial that can be imagined or thought of.

a contemplated trial

Replaces "possible" with "contemplated", focusing on the consideration of a trial.

a projected trial

Substitutes "possible" with "projected", emphasizing anticipation of the trial.

a hypothetical trial

Emphasizes the conditional or theoretical nature of the trial.

a tentative trial

Replaces "possible" with "tentative", implying the trial is not yet confirmed.

a future trial

Focuses on the trial occurring at some point in the future.

an upcoming trial

Highlights that the trial will happen soon.

a pending trial

Indicates that a trial is waiting to happen.

FAQs

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

You can use "a possible trial" to indicate the potential for legal proceedings or an experimental test. For example, "The evidence suggests "a possible trial", pending further investigation."

What are some alternatives to "a possible trial"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "a potential trial", "a prospective trial", or "a future trial".

When is it appropriate to use "a possible trial" versus "an upcoming trial"?

"A possible trial" is used when the trial is not yet certain, while "an upcoming trial" refers to a trial that is already scheduled and confirmed.

Is "a possible trial" formal or informal language?

"A possible trial" is suitable for neutral to formal contexts, such as news reports, legal documents, and academic papers.