bad possibility

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "bad possibility" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an unfavorable or undesirable outcome that could occur in a given situation. Example: "The bad possibility of losing funding forced the team to reconsider their project timeline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

MR. THOMPSON: (Chuckles). A bad possibility.

The New York Times

Go through each step and write down each bad possibility.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Well, there are many bad possibilities.

The Guardian - Books

But then the clouds gather above the sea, and my idle mind conjures up bad possibilities the way one might dream of chocolate cake.

The New York Times

Even the best outcomes now imaginable — like de facto partition and routine terrorism but no civil war — bear more than a passing resemblance to what were once considered disastrously bad possibilities.

The New York Times - Magazine

This concerns, of course, also the avoidance of bad possibilities.

European Journal of Futures Research

Most likely, you will be forgotten as soon as you're through the security checkpoint, but it is best to prepare for both good and bad possibilities.

WikiHow

"The allegations against Congressman Foley are repugnant, but equally as bad is the possibility that Republican leaders in the House of Representatives knew there was a problem and ignored it to preserve a Congressional seat this election year," Mr. Reid said.

The New York Times

"A lot of the building work was decaying and I felt bad about the possibility of damaging them.

BBC

Caveat emptor policies in which the buyer takes on the entire onus of a bad transaction ignore the possibility that, if enough consumers make enough bad decisions, our economy will spin out of control.

Forbes

In the extreme, it leads somewhere between indifference to the possibility bad choices may create human suffering and outright cruelty.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing potential risks, use "bad possibility" to clearly signal an unfavorable outcome that needs to be considered and potentially mitigated.

Common error

Avoid using overly vague terms like "things might go wrong" when a more specific and impactful phrase such as "the "bad possibility" of project failure" can create a stronger sense of urgency and awareness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "bad possibility" primarily functions as a noun phrase with an adjectival modifier. It identifies a potential outcome or situation characterized by negative attributes. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is usable in English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Wiki

17%

Science

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "bad possibility" is a grammatically sound phrase used to denote an undesirable potential outcome. Although Ludwig AI indicates it is usable in English, its relatively low frequency suggests considering more common alternatives for enhanced clarity and impact. This phrase is primarily found in news and media contexts. It is crucial to use it accurately to convey the intended sense of risk or concern, and consider more descriptive terms depending on the specific nuance you wish to communicate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unfavorable prospect

Replaces 'possibility' with 'prospect' emphasizing anticipation of a negative outcome.

negative outlook

Uses 'outlook' instead of 'possibility', focusing on a pessimistic view of the future.

grim scenario

Substitutes 'bad' with 'grim' and 'possibility' with 'scenario', highlighting a bleak potential situation.

unwelcome contingency

Replaces the phrase with a more formal term, highlighting an undesirable event.

adverse potential

Emphasizes the harmful potential using 'adverse' instead of 'bad'.

poor prognosis

Emphasizes a negative forecast, especially in a medical or recovery context.

risky proposition

Highlights the element of risk associated with a plan or suggestion.

dire straits

Emphasizes a severely negative and challenging situation.

unfortunate eventuality

Indicates an unavoidable and unpleasant outcome.

undesirable consequence

Focuses on the negative result or outcome of an action or situation.

FAQs

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

Use "bad possibility" to refer to a potential outcome that is undesirable. For example, "There's a "serious possibility" of delays if the weather worsens" or "We need to consider the "unpleasant outcome" of losing our biggest client".

What are some alternatives to "bad possibility"?

Alternatives include phrases like "unfavorable prospect", "negative outlook", or "grim scenario", which can add nuance and specificity depending on the context.

Is it better to say "bad possibility" or "poor possibility"?

"Bad possibility" is more common and generally preferred, as "poor possibility" can sound awkward. A more appropriate alternative to both could be "slight chance" if the probability is low, or "serious risk" if the potential consequences are significant.

What's the difference between "bad possibility" and "unlikely scenario"?

"Bad possibility" emphasizes the negative nature of a potential outcome, while "unlikely scenario" focuses on the low probability of an event occurring. They describe different aspects of a potential future situation.