acknowledged the possibility

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "acknowledged the possibility" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the recognition of a potential outcome or scenario in various contexts, such as academic writing, reports, or discussions. Example: "The researchers acknowledged the possibility that their findings could be influenced by external factors."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

He acknowledged the possibility of a military coup.

The New Yorker

Wells officials also acknowledged the possibility of notarization errors.

The New York Times

When he spoke to the nation last night, Kenyan president, Uhuru Kenyatta, acknowledged the possibility.

The Guardian - Opinion

Speaking at an economic conference in Kuwait, Mr. Clinton openly acknowledged the possibility.

The New York Times

Publicly, Sharon acknowledged the possibility of gaining a "partner for peace".

The Guardian

Manager Charlie Manuel, who was noncommittal Wednesday night, acknowledged the possibility last week.

The New York Times - Sports

Dr Fox went further and acknowledged the possibility of a Labour victory in the forthcoming election.

Independent

But he also acknowledged the possibility of a return to the past.

The New York Times

Monday was the first time that the defense secretary acknowledged the possibility publicly.

The New York Times

French officials blame tight supply but the government has acknowledged the possibility of "overvaluation".

The Economist

Showalter acknowledged the possibility of the team's playing tight under the pressure of the game.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Combine "acknowledged the possibility" with a conditional statement to elaborate on the potential consequences or actions that might follow if the possibility becomes a reality.

Common error

Avoid immediately contradicting the acknowledged possibility with language that suggests complete certainty or dismissal. Instead, provide balanced analysis or further exploration of the potential outcome. For example, instead of saying "He acknowledged the possibility of a recession, but it will not happen", try "He acknowledged the possibility of a recession, but the current economic indicators suggest it is unlikely".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "acknowledged the possibility" functions as a verb phrase indicating the recognition or admission of a potential event or outcome. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts. The verb "acknowledged" takes the noun phrase "the possibility" as its object, specifying what is being recognized.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Science

26%

Wiki

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "acknowledged the possibility" is a common and grammatically sound way to express the recognition of a potential outcome or event. Ludwig AI affirms its appropriate usage across diverse fields like news, science, and business. The phrase's neutral to professional register makes it suitable for various contexts, while alternative phrasings such as "recognized the potential" and "admitted the likelihood" offer nuanced ways to convey a similar meaning. When using the phrase, it's best to clearly define the recognized possibility and avoid immediately contradicting it with statements of certainty. Given its correct usage and clear communicative purpose, "acknowledged the possibility" remains a valuable tool in effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

recognized the potential

Uses 'recognized' instead of 'acknowledged' and focuses on 'potential' instead of 'possibility', emphasizing the existence of an undeveloped capability.

conceded the chance

Replaces "acknowledged" with "conceded," indicating a reluctant acceptance, and uses "chance" as a synonym for "possibility."

admitted the likelihood

Employs "admitted" suggesting an acceptance that was previously denied and uses "likelihood" to emphasize probability.

entertained the idea

Suggests considering a concept rather than fully accepting a possibility. It implies a more speculative approach.

considered the prospect

Focuses on the anticipation of a future event, using "prospect" to denote something expected or likely to occur.

recognized the feasibility

Highlights whether something is practical or achievable, shifting focus from mere possibility to actionable potential.

accepted the contingency

Implies an acceptance of a possible future event or circumstance, especially one that causes problems or difficulties.

factored in the option

Suggests that a possibility has been considered as part of a larger plan or decision-making process.

accounted for the eventuality

Indicates preparedness for a possible future occurrence, emphasizing readiness and planning.

allowed for the probability

Indicates that a certain level of probability has been considered and included in calculations or predictions.

FAQs

How can I use "acknowledged the possibility" in a sentence?

You can use "acknowledged the possibility" to indicate that someone has recognized a potential outcome or event. For example, "The CEO "acknowledged the possibility" of a market downturn during the earnings call".

What are some alternatives to saying "acknowledged the possibility"?

Alternatives include "recognized the potential", "conceded the chance", or "admitted the likelihood". Each carries a slightly different nuance, so choose the one that best fits your context. For example, you may want to use "recognized the potential" when discussing undeveloped capabilities.

Is it better to use "acknowledged the possibility" or "recognized the possibility"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct and can be used interchangeably in many contexts. "Acknowledged" implies a formal recognition or admission, while "recognized" simply means to have noticed or become aware of something. The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What's the difference between "acknowledged the possibility" and "denied the possibility"?

"Acknowledged the possibility" means to accept that something could happen, while "denied the possibility" means to reject or refuse to believe that something could happen. They are direct opposites.