a significant possibility

USAGE SUMMARY

"a significant possibility" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it whenever you want to imply that something has a great chance of occurring. For example, "The company's stock prices have been increasing significantly, so there is a significant possibility that the trend will continue."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

"But given the Court's per curiam disposition, I do not see a significant possibility of reconsideration.

The New Yorker

There is then a significant possibility that MI5 would have been able to prevent the attack".

The Guardian

"There is then a significant possibility that MI5 would have been able to prevent the attack," the report says.

The Guardian

"Even a September rate hike is still a significant possibility if the turmoil abates over the remainder of this week".

The Guardian - Business

The government says there is "a significant possibility" that Isis was responsible for placing a bomb in the baggage hold.

The Guardian

Philip Hammond, the Foreign Secretary, has said there is a "significant possibility" that Isis is responsible.

Independent

There is a significant possibility that children will ride unsupervised, in at-risk situations, without wearing a helmet.

Journal of Pediatric Surgery

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

"You know, Joe, there is a pretty significant possibility that you will get pounded at school".

The New York Times - Magazine

His father warned, "There is a pretty significant possibility that you will get pounded at school," but Joe was undeterred.

The New York Times - Books

A more significant possibility, is that the changes will set the stage for the Fed to announce an expansion of its existing economic aid campaign, for example, by once again increasing its purchases of Treasuries and mortgage-backed securities.

The New York Times

When you share beneficial information, the chances that people understand you better is a more significant possibility as against keeping mute.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a significant possibility" to introduce potential outcomes or scenarios in analytical writing. For example, "Considering the current economic climate, there is "a significant possibility" that interest rates will rise."

Common error

Avoid using "a significant possibility" when a higher degree of certainty is warranted. If evidence strongly suggests an outcome, consider phrases like "a high probability" or "a near certainty" to better reflect the situation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a significant possibility" functions as a noun phrase that modifies a noun. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is usable whenever you want to imply that something has a great chance of occurring. It is commonly used to introduce a potential outcome or scenario.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Science

32%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a significant possibility" is a versatile phrase used to express that an event has a notable chance of occurring. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically sound and appropriate for various contexts. Its frequency across diverse sources such as news media and scientific publications underscores its widespread usage. When writing, use it to introduce potential outcomes or scenarios, but be mindful of overstating the level of certainty. For alternatives, consider phrases such as "a notable possibility" or "a considerable likelihood" to vary your language while maintaining clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a notable possibility

Replaces "significant" with "notable", implying a noteworthy chance but maintaining a similar level of formality.

a considerable likelihood

Substitutes "possibility" with "likelihood" and "significant" with "considerable", focusing on the probability of something happening.

a substantial chance

Replaces "possibility" with "chance" and "significant" with "substantial", suggesting a noteworthy opportunity.

a real prospect

Uses "prospect" instead of "possibility", highlighting the potential for future success or occurrence.

a distinct probability

Replaces "significant" with "distinct", emphasizing the clarity and identifiability of the possibility.

a marked potential

Focuses on the potential aspect, using "marked" to indicate that the potential is noticeable and important.

a strong likelihood

Emphasizes the strength of the likelihood, suggesting a higher degree of certainty compared to the original phrase.

a credible scenario

Shifts the focus to the scenario itself, describing it as believable and realistic.

a viable option

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

a plausible case

Focuses on the possibility as a valid and believable argument or situation.

FAQs

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

You can use "a significant possibility" to indicate that something has a notable chance of occurring. For example: "There is "a significant possibility" that the company will expand its operations next year."

What are some alternatives to "a significant possibility"?

Alternatives include "a notable possibility", "a considerable likelihood", or "a substantial chance". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "a significant possibility" formal or informal?

"A significant possibility" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. It is commonly used in news reporting, academic writing, and business communications.

What is the difference between "a significant possibility" and "a slight possibility"?

"A significant possibility" implies a notable or considerable chance, while "a slight possibility" suggests that the chance is small or unlikely.