eliminates a possibility

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "eliminates a possibility" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing scenarios, options, or outcomes that are no longer viable or available. Example: "The new evidence presented in court eliminates a possibility that the defendant was at the scene of the crime."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

This comparison confirms involvement of alpha7 nAChR on the fetus, and eliminates a possibility of maternal effect.

Plosone

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

"Inactivity" was defined as less than 0.1 cm per min, to eliminate a possibility of camera noise or small movements of the fins interfering with the activity analysis.

Plosone

Our study cannot eliminate a possibility that hypersensitivity reaction might be related to product contamination and its lack of standardization across brands.

BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine

Colonies of Fus1 KO and WT 129sv mice were maintained in the same facility at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, thus eliminating a possibility of strain- and environment-specific artefacts.

Cell Death and Disease

Finally, in order to eliminate a possibility of a translational response to arsenite treatment instigated by means other than eIF2 phosphorylation we analyzed expression of the reporters in the presence of DTT, another well-known inducer of eIF2 phosphorylation (see Prostko et al., 1993, MCB, 127-128 255-65, PMID: 7935356).

eLife

It eliminates a major possibility for me to get in trouble.

Huffington Post

However, further study is required in order to definitively eliminate such a possibility.

BMC Plant Biology

The double peaks are typical in the presence of numts contamination, thus their absence eliminated such a possibility [ 51].

BMC Evolutionary Biology

A more conservative approach for eliminating such a possibility involves filtering the log2 ratio and using this filtered signal in place of a segmented signal.

BMC Medical Genomics

However, the possibility of recent migrations of the O1a individuals into ISEA can not be ignored, because the genetic time estimate is not precise enough to eliminate such a possibility.

BMC Evolutionary Biology

You know one more letter that you can eliminate as a possibility, meaning that you're one letter closer to having the cryptogram cracked.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "eliminates a possibility", ensure that the context clearly indicates what action or circumstance leads to the removal of the possibility. Be specific about the causal relationship.

Common error

Avoid using "eliminates a possibility" when the situation only reduces the likelihood of something happening, rather than completely removing it as a potential outcome. Use more nuanced language like "reduces the chance of" or "makes less likely" if complete elimination isn't accurate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "eliminates a possibility" functions as a verb phrase that indicates the removal or negation of a potential outcome or scenario. As demonstrated by Ludwig, it is utilized to express that a specific action or condition renders an outcome impossible.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

46%

Wiki

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "eliminates a possibility" is a grammatically sound phrase used to convey that a particular outcome is no longer possible due to a specific action or circumstance. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is appropriate for use in a variety of contexts, from scientific research to news reporting. While the phrase is generally safe to use, writers should be mindful of overstating certainty and should choose more nuanced language if the outcome is merely less likely, rather than entirely impossible. Alternatives include "rules out a possibility", "precludes a possibility", and "removes a possibility". By paying attention to these nuances, you can effectively use the phrase "eliminates a possibility" in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

rules out a possibility

Replaces "eliminates" with "rules out", maintaining a similar level of formality and meaning. This alternative emphasizes the rejection of a potential scenario.

removes a possibility

Substitutes "eliminates" with "removes", which focuses on taking away a potential outcome. It is a straightforward and generally applicable alternative.

excludes a possibility

Uses "excludes" to indicate that a possibility is not considered or allowed. This alternative often implies a conscious decision to disregard a particular option.

precludes a possibility

Uses "precludes", which suggests preventing a possibility from occurring, often through a specific action or condition.

negates a possibility

Replaces "eliminates" with "negates", highlighting the cancellation or invalidation of a possibility.

cancels out a possibility

Replaces "eliminates" with "cancels out", which emphasizes the neutralization of a possibility, often by opposing forces or factors.

discards a possibility

Swaps "eliminates" for "discards", suggesting that a possibility has been considered but rejected as not viable.

voids a possibility

Uses "voids", suggesting that a possibility is made invalid or ineffective, similar to how a contract might be voided.

obviates a possibility

Employs "obviates", indicating that a possibility is made unnecessary or irrelevant, usually through a specific action or circumstance.

forestalls a possibility

Substitutes "eliminates" with "forestalls", which means to prevent something from happening by taking action in advance.

FAQs

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

You can use "eliminates a possibility" to indicate that a particular action, condition, or piece of evidence has made an outcome impossible. For example, "The new evidence presented in court eliminates a possibility that the defendant was at the scene of the crime."

What can I say instead of "eliminates a possibility"?

Alternatives to "eliminates a possibility" include "rules out a possibility", "precludes a possibility", or "removes a possibility", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use "eliminates a possibility" or "reduces the possibility"?

The choice between "eliminates a possibility" and "reduces the possibility" depends on whether the outcome is made entirely impossible or just less likely. Use "eliminates a possibility" when the outcome is definitively prevented and "reduces the possibility" when the outcome is still possible but less probable.

Can "eliminates a possibility" be used in formal writing?

Yes, "eliminates a possibility" is suitable for formal writing. However, consider the specific context and audience. In some cases, more precise or technical language might be preferred. Alternatives like "obviates a possibility" could be more appropriate in highly formal or scientific contexts.