all possible alternatives

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "all possible alternatives" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing various options or choices available in a particular situation or decision-making process. Example: "Before making a final decision, let's consider all possible alternatives to ensure we choose the best option."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

47 human-written examples

We must soberly examine all possible alternatives, radical or not.

The Guardian - Opinion

By contrast, American managers do not as a rule discipline themselves to consider all possible alternatives.

Harvard Business Review

Second, individuals do not evaluate all possible alternatives before making a choice.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Perhaps before committing taxpayers' billions for preference shares he should satisfy himself that all possible alternatives have been exhausted.

The Guardian - Opinion

It certainly gave us the principle of religious tolerance, after all possible alternatives had been tried and bloodily failed.

The Guardian - Opinion

Both Rheticus and Copernicus knew that they could not definitively rule out all possible alternatives to the heliocentric theory.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

13 human-written examples

If we think of things alethically, an accessible state can be considered an alternate reality, and so \(X\) is necessary in a state if \(X\) is the case in all possible alternative states.

SEP

To achieve that, we performed a series of phylogenetic analyses and thoroughly tested all possible alternative topologies based on available mitochondrial sequences (cytochrome b and 12S ribosomal RNA).

Zoologischer Anzeiger - A Journal of Comparative Zoology

A superstructure based on the Reversible Distillation Sequence Model (RDSM) is proposed embedding all possible alternative designs using tray-by-tray models.

Computers & Chemical Engineering

Giovanni Punzi, the Fermilab physicist who is spokesman for the international team that did the work, said by e-mail that he and his colleagues were "strongly thrilled at the possibility, and cautious at the same time, because this would be so important that almost scares us — so we think of all possible alternative explanations".

The New York Times - Science

In this case, the model is identified under all possible alternative hypotheses.

SERIEs

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When faced with a complex decision, dedicate time to brainstorm and research to identify "all possible alternatives". This can lead to more informed and effective outcomes.

Common error

Don't limit yourself to obvious or conventional solutions. Challenge assumptions and actively seek out-of-the-box ideas to expand your set of "all possible alternatives".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "all possible alternatives" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or preposition. It denotes the complete set of potential options or choices available in a given situation. As shown by Ludwig, this phrase is used to underscore the comprehensive nature of the alternatives being considered.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

43%

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Academia

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "all possible alternatives" is a commonly used noun phrase that emphasizes a comprehensive evaluation of options before making a decision. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent use across various domains, including science, news, and formal business contexts. While the phrase is generally neutral in register, its precision lends itself well to professional and academic writing. When using this phrase, remember to consider unconventional alternatives and avoid limiting yourself to obvious solutions. Related phrases include "every conceivable option" and "all viable solutions", each subtly altering the emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

every conceivable option

Emphasizes that all options that can be imagined have been taken into account, implying a more exhaustive approach.

all viable solutions

Focuses on solutions that are practical and capable of succeeding, rather than just any possibility.

all potential choices

Highlights the aspect of selection and decision-making among different possibilities.

all feasible options

Suggests options that are realistically achievable or possible under certain constraints.

every plausible alternative

Highlights the alternatives that are believable and likely to be true or valid.

every available route

Implies a structured path or method, best used in strategic situations.

all conceivable possibilities

Highlights a wide set of imaginable outcomes that could occur, regardless of how likely they are.

each prospective avenue

Suggests a forward-looking view of potential opportunities or strategies.

all the alternatives on the table

Focuses on options that are currently being discussed or considered.

the full spectrum of choices

Emphasizes the range of choices, from one extreme to another.

FAQs

How can I use "all possible alternatives" in a sentence?

You can use "all possible alternatives" to emphasize a comprehensive consideration of options, as in "The committee explored "all possible alternatives" before making its recommendation."

What are some alternatives to saying "all possible alternatives"?

Consider using phrases like "every conceivable option", "all viable solutions", or "all potential choices" to express a similar idea.

Is it necessary to literally consider every single alternative when using the phrase "all possible alternatives"?

While the phrase suggests a thorough examination, in practice, it often implies considering a sufficiently comprehensive set of options that are relevant and realistic, acknowledging that identifying absolutely every single possibility might be infeasible.

When is it appropriate to use "all possible alternatives" in professional writing?

It is appropriate in situations where you want to convey that a thorough and diligent approach was taken in considering options, such as in project reports, strategic plans, or decision-making documents.