all possible contingencies

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "all possible contingencies" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing planning or preparing for various potential outcomes or scenarios. Example: "In order to ensure the success of the project, we must account for all possible contingencies that may arise."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

Despite the current technological advances, an analysis of all possible contingencies is impracticable.

Expert Systems with Applications

He is one of the rare Senators who is both a fully qualified pilot and knowledgeable about electronics, (he's an amateur radio operator) and made clear that in neither field can one anticipate all possible contingencies.

The New York Times

One outcome is that, because regulators were attempting to legislate for all possible contingencies, standards have become overly detailed and lengthy the roughly 2,300 pages of FASB standards in 1985 almost doubled to around 4,000 by 2002.

Harvard Business Review

Indeed, Ethiopia had cut defence spending from $1.31 billion in 1991 to $124m in 1996 and had drawn up defence plans for all possible contingencies: war with Eritrea was not one of them.

The Economist

"We support continued planning with Nato allies and other partners, including those in the region, to be ready to provide support for all possible contingencies as the situation evolves, including a no-fly zone," was the UK formula.The disputes also involved the French president, who sounded defensive afterwards.

The Guardian

At the top level, bridge became much more scientific at the end of the 20th century, with experts having bidding-system notes that often ran to well over 100 pages in an attempt to cover all possible contingencies, and various unusual conventions and systems were developed.

Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

They know the drill and all the possible contingencies so well that the flight is almost anticlimactic.

The New Yorker

But this approach is rooted in what we think of as predictive logic- planning in a linear fashion, and trying to account for all the possible contingencies.

Forbes

Dogýan has professed his innocence, and he told me that the war game was only a useful fiction to help the military prepare for a possible contingency.

The New Yorker

Latest reports suggest China has been amassing troops near its border with Vietnam for any possible contingency.

Huffington Post

During baseline, all possible social contingencies maintaining the inadequate behaviors were eliminated.

Research in Developmental Disabilities

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When drafting contracts or strategic plans, use "all possible contingencies" to demonstrate a commitment to thoroughness and foresight.

Common error

Avoid claiming to have considered "all possible contingencies" if your planning has not been truly exhaustive. Acknowledge limitations to maintain credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "all possible contingencies" functions as a noun phrase, often serving as the object of a preposition (e.g., "prepared for"). It denotes a comprehensive set of potential events or circumstances that must be considered.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Academia

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "all possible contingencies" is a grammatically correct and usable noun phrase, as affirmed by Ludwig. It's employed to underscore the comprehensive nature of planning and preparation across various domains. While commonly found in News & Media and Scientific contexts, its use extends to encyclopedic and wiki contexts as well. The phrase suggests a proactive and thorough approach to risk assessment. Remember, while aiming for thoroughness, it's essential to maintain realism about the feasibility of addressing truly all potential events. Alternatives include "every conceivable scenario" or "all potential eventualities".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

every conceivable scenario

Emphasizes the comprehensiveness of the scenarios considered.

all potential eventualities

Highlights that the focus is on possible future events.

every foreseeable circumstance

Stresses the aspect of being able to predict the circumstances.

complete range of possibilities

Focuses on the full spectrum of what might occur.

all predictable outcomes

Emphasizes outcomes that can be anticipated.

every imaginable situation

Stresses that you have tried to imagine every possible situation.

full spectrum of risks

Highlights the risks involved in different scenarios.

all preparatory measures

Shifts the focus towards the actions taken in preparation.

thorough planning for any event

Emphasizes the depth and rigor of the planning process.

comprehensive anticipation of issues

Focuses on proactively identifying potential problems.

FAQs

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

You can use "all possible contingencies" when discussing scenarios that need to be accounted for in planning. For example, "The project plan addresses "all possible contingencies" that could affect the timeline".

What are some alternatives to "all possible contingencies"?

Alternatives to "all possible contingencies" include phrases like "every conceivable scenario", "all potential eventualities", or "every foreseeable circumstance".

Is it realistic to prepare for "all possible contingencies"?

While the goal is to be comprehensive, it's often impractical to prepare for truly all possibilities. The phrase often implies a very thorough, if not exhaustive, level of planning.

What's the difference between "possible contingency" and "all possible contingencies"?

"Possible contingency" refers to a single potential event, while "all possible contingencies" refers to a comprehensive set of potential events that could occur.