deny the possibility

USAGE SUMMARY

"deny the possibility" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to reject the notion that something could happen, especially if it is based on speculation or an opinion. For example, "The mayor denied the possibility of cutting public transit services."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Matthews declined to directly answer questions about his possible candidacy when pressed by the media, but did not deny the possibility.

Wikipedia

It didn't deny the possibility of progress.

The Guardian

But to deny the possibility of further progress seems perverse.

Nature

Nevertheless, school officials did not hesitate to deny the possibility.

The New York Times

Don't deny the possibility that someone's feelings might change".

The Guardian - Opinion

How do the texts allow for or deny the possibility of freedom and agency?

Harvard University

Coughlin did not deny the possibility of the Giants bringing in another receiver.

The New York Times - Sports

Some Western legal systems still deny the possibility of property in intangibles.

Encyclopedia Britannica

I could no longer deny the possibility that the field had made a wrong turn".

The New Yorker

"I don't deny the possibility of some them having been from Norse times," she said.

The New York Times

"We cannot deny the possibility it may fly over our country," he said.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "deny the possibility" when you want to firmly state that something is not likely to occur or be true, often in response to speculation or suggestion.

Common error

While grammatically correct, repeatedly using "deny the possibility" can sound overly formal or defensive in casual conversation. Opt for simpler phrases like "I don't think so" or "That's unlikely" for a more natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "deny the possibility" functions as a verb phrase acting as a predicate in a sentence. It expresses a rejection or negation of a potential event, idea, or outcome. As confirmed by Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

31%

Encyclopedias

19%

Less common in

Academia

7%

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "deny the possibility" is a grammatically sound phrase used to reject or negate a potential event or idea. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is acceptable and suitable for written English. Its prevalence in news, scientific, and encyclopedic sources indicates a formal to neutral register. While it is a versatile expression, simpler alternatives may be more appropriate for informal contexts. Remember to use it when you want to state firmly that something is not likely to occur, but consider your audience and the overall tone of your communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

rule out the chance

Changes the verb to 'rule out' and 'chance' instead of 'possibility', focusing on eliminating the likelihood.

dismiss the prospect

Uses 'dismiss' to suggest rejection and 'prospect' as an alternative to 'possibility', implying a future outlook.

negate the potential

Employs 'negate' to convey a stronger sense of invalidation and 'potential' instead of 'possibility'.

dispute the likelihood

Replaces "deny" with "dispute", indicating a challenge to the "likelihood" of something.

reject the idea

Substitutes "deny the possibility" with a broader rejection of an "idea".

refute the suggestion

Uses "refute" to imply a formal contradiction and "suggestion" in place of "possibility".

contradict the expectation

Alters the phrase to indicate a conflict with an "expectation" rather than a "possibility".

disavow the likelihood

Replaces "deny" with "disavow", which suggests a formal denial of the "likelihood".

discredit the theory

Shifts the focus to undermining a "theory" instead of rejecting a general "possibility".

invalidate the assumption

Changes the phrase to indicate that the assumption is invalid instead of denying the general "possibility".

FAQs

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

You can use "deny the possibility" to express the rejection of a potential outcome or truth. For instance, "The company spokesperson had to deny the possibility of layoffs".

What are some alternatives to "deny the possibility"?

Some alternatives include phrases like "rule out the chance", "dismiss the prospect", or "reject the idea", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "deny the possibility"?

It's appropriate when you want to formally or strongly reject a suggestion, assumption, or potential outcome, particularly in professional, news-related or academic contexts. For example, "Scientists deny the possibility of time travel with current technology".

Is there a difference between "deny the possibility" and "refute the possibility"?

While both phrases express disagreement, "deny the possibility" suggests a simple rejection, whereas "refute the possibility" implies providing evidence or arguments to prove that something is not possible.