at the very possibility

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "at the very possibility" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to emphasize the consideration or contemplation of a certain possibility or scenario. Example: "She shuddered at the very possibility of failing the exam."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Other readers (and viewers) deny any difference between myth and history and rail at the very possibility that American history might be subject to change.

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Prism, which collects e-mails, video, voice and stored data, among other forms of Internet information, was exposed at a moment when the very possibility of online privacy seemed to be in doubt.

The New York Times - Tech

In the novel, Marcus recalls his friendship with an Italian-American student at Robert Treat College, his warm encounter with a black student at Winesburg, his burgeoning recognition of the very possibility of homosexuality, and his deep emotional and physical ties to his family beyond mere belonging.

The New Yorker

Yet, a common view has it that these influences are due to some type of holism and/or non-separability of states of composite systems, which are characteristic of systems in entangled states (like the spin singlet state), and which exclude the very possibility of action at a distance.

SEP

His own axioms preclude the very possibility".

Wikipedia

"We're looking at the very real possibility of extinction," he said.

The New York Times - Science

"We're looking at the very real possibility of being homeless," she said.

The New York Times

Given that Great Britain plc is staring at the very real possibility of a double-dip recession, and personal debt is higher than ever, you might think the bureaucrats who organise events for the Royal Family would have some sense of appropriateness, of adapting to straitened times.

Independent

The world's airline executives stare at the very real possibility of disaster every day.

Forbes

At worst, what we are seeing is the political economy of extinction at work; the very real possibility that the Great Barrier Reef will be destroyed because it does not fit the business model to save it.

The Guardian

There's the requirement that employees not speak to the media without full approval of the PR operation; the airtight nondisclosure clauses that bind former employees to keep their mouths shut about what happened at Fox News; and the very real possibility that Ailes and his henchpeople would slime dissenters in the media.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "at the very possibility" to emphasize a potential outcome or scenario, especially when highlighting surprise, concern, or disbelief regarding that potential.

Common error

Avoid using "at the very possibility" in situations where a simpler expression like "the possibility" or "the chance" would suffice. Overusing it can make your writing sound unnecessarily dramatic or convoluted.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at the very possibility" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a verb or noun, adding emphasis to the potential or chance of something occurring. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and offers examples of its usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

30%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "at the very possibility" is a prepositional phrase used to emphasize the potential for a particular outcome, often expressing surprise, concern, or disbelief. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and appears in various contexts, most frequently in news and media, science, and wiki sources. While it’s useful for adding emphasis, be cautious of overuse in simpler scenarios where alternatives like "the possibility" or "the chance" might be more appropriate. Consider related phrases such as "the mere possibility" or "the sheer possibility" to diversify your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the mere possibility

Replaces "very" with "mere", softening the emphasis on the degree of possibility.

the sheer possibility

Substitutes "very" with "sheer", highlighting the unadulterated or simple existence of the possibility.

the simple possibility

Replaces "very" with "simple", emphasizing the straightforward nature of the possibility.

the very chance

Uses "chance" instead of "possibility", keeping "very" for emphasis.

the distinct possibility

Suggests the possibility is clear and defined, differing from a vague chance.

the remote possibility

Indicates that the possibility is unlikely, adding a sense of distance.

the outside chance

Emphasizes that the probability is low and not very likely to occur.

the possibility alone

Focuses solely on the existence of a chance, without additional modifiers.

the likelihood

Replaces "possibility" with "likelihood", shifting focus to how probable something is.

the prospect

Replaces "possibility" with "prospect", focusing on something expected or likely to happen.

FAQs

How can I use "at the very possibility" in a sentence?

You can use "at the very possibility" to emphasize a potential outcome, as in, "She shuddered at the very possibility of failing the exam."

What can I say instead of "at the very possibility"?

Consider alternatives such as "the mere possibility", "the sheer possibility", or "the likelihood" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "at the very possibility"?

It's appropriate when you want to emphasize the potential of something happening, often to express surprise, concern, or disbelief. It adds weight to the consideration of that potential.

Which is correct, "at the very possibility" or "at the very least the possibility"?

"At the very possibility" emphasizes the consideration of a scenario, while "at the very least the possibility" suggests that something is the minimum requirement or consideration. They serve different functions.