a worrying possibility

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a worrying possibility" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a potential outcome or scenario that causes concern or anxiety. Example: "The recent data suggests a worrying possibility of increased unemployment rates in the coming months."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

The consistent success of extremists in recruiting sympathisers within the armed forces makes this a worrying possibility.

The Economist

But a worrying possibility is that high unemployment could prove as persistent in Asia as in Europe.In the three economies hit hardest by the region's economic turmoil—Indonesia, South Korea and Thailand jobless rates have roughly doubled already.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

As Mr Taub points out, however, there is a more worrying possibility: a backlash against deregulation so fierce that it stalls the move towards competitive markets in electricity.

The Economist

A more worrying possibility is hubris.

The Economist

But there is a more worrying possibility: that Mr Draghi is slugging it out with deputies trying to keep the gun-closet locked.

The Economist

It would be harder still for Mr Hollande to drop his 75% tax rate.1981 and all thatBesides, there is a more worrying possibility than insincerity.

The Economist

A more worrying possibility is that the ideologues in government have got their teeth into it believing, against all previous experience, that market failures will correct themselves and that the UK economy will achieve balanced, sustained, recovery thanks to resurgent banking and app start-ups in Shoreditch.

Independent

But whereas most people have written off this favourite/like move as Twitter attempting to simplify the system to appeal to new users, a scientific analysis suggests a far more worrying possibility: Twitter is actively trying to kill off its regular users.

The Guardian

A second, more worrying, possibility is that care workers are becoming more hardened and cynical about people who use their services.

The Guardian

A paper by Jeffrey Sachs and Lawrence Kotlikoff highlights the worrying possibility that this shift could be self-perpetuating: if automation absorbs jobs previously reserved for young people, who have not yet had time to build up skills, it will stop them from acquiring those skills, and its destructive effects will reverberate down the years.There is some cause for scepticism.

The Economist

This opens to the worrying possibility to see a superficial, but profitable, approach where teaching is replaced by AI automated solutions.

Research and Practice in Technology Enhanced Learning

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a worrying possibility" to introduce a potential outcome, then elaborate on the reasons for concern in subsequent sentences for a more impactful message.

Common error

Avoid using "a worrying possibility" as a vague statement without providing concrete reasons or evidence for the concern. Always clarify the source and nature of the worry to maintain credibility and avoid alarming the reader unnecessarily.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a worrying possibility" functions as a noun phrase, where "worrying" acts as a present participle adjective modifying the noun "possibility". As Ludwig AI confirms, it introduces a potential scenario that elicits concern or anxiety.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Science

13%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Social Media

0%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a worrying possibility" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase for expressing concern about a potential outcome. Ludwig AI confirms its validity in written English. It's most frequently found in news and media contexts, highlighting potential risks or negative consequences. While several alternatives exist, such as "a concerning likelihood" or "a troubling prospect", the key is to ensure clarity and provide context to substantiate the worry. Avoid using the phrase vaguely; instead, offer specific details to support your concern.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a concerning likelihood

Replaces "worrying" with "concerning" and "possibility" with "likelihood", emphasizing the probability of the undesirable outcome.

a troubling prospect

Substitutes "worrying" with "troubling" and "possibility" with "prospect", highlighting the potential negative future.

a disquieting prospect

Uses "disquieting" to convey a sense of unease about a potential future event.

a grave concern

Replaces the entire phrase with a more direct expression of serious worry.

a serious cause for concern

Emphasizes the gravity of the situation, highlighting the reason for worry.

a disturbing eventuality

Focuses on the negative and unsettling nature of a potential future outcome.

an alarming potential

Highlights the potential for something dangerous or frightening to occur.

a regrettable contingency

Emphasizes the unfortunate nature of a possible future situation.

a chilling prospect

Suggests a fear-inducing potential outcome.

an ominous sign

Implies that the current situation hints at a negative future development.

FAQs

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

You can use "a worrying possibility" to introduce a potential outcome that causes concern. For example, "The consistent success of extremists in recruiting sympathizers within the armed forces makes this "a worrying possibility"".

What are some alternatives to "a worrying possibility"?

Alternatives include "a concerning likelihood", "a troubling prospect", or "a grave concern", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "a worrying possibility" formal or informal?

"A worrying possibility" is suitable for both neutral and formal contexts. However, in highly formal settings, consider alternatives like "a serious cause for concern" for added emphasis.

What makes "a troubling prospect" different from "a worrying possibility"?

While both phrases convey concern about a potential outcome, "a troubling prospect" emphasizes the potential difficulties or problems that the outcome might bring, whereas "a worrying possibility" is a general expression of concern or anxiety.