examine the possibility

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "examine the possibility" is correct and can be used in both written and spoken English.
For example, you could say, "The team will need to examine the possibility of launching a new product line this year."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

You couldn't help but examine the possibility of something going wrong.

The New Yorker

The inquiry must examine the possibility that a serious criminal offence has been committed.

The Guardian - Opinion

He said he wanted Mitsubishi to examine the possibility of buying back affected cars.

The Guardian - Business

would examine the possibility of bringing out new products, such as currency and index options.

The New York Times

They would examine the possibility, then, of strengthening attachment, the long-term bonding that keeps people together.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

He said he would examine the possibility of taking the case to the United States Supreme Court.

The New York Times

From the start, the C.D.C.'s efforts to examine the possibility of thimerosal damage became snarled in acrimony.

The New York Times - Magazine

Deutsche Bahn will look for buyers but will also continue to examine the possibility of an IPO.

The Guardian - Business

Expression in neuronal populations allows us to examine the possibility that Hb is indeed important in neuronal mitochondria.

Nature

But I would ask you to examine the possibility of not charging too high a price for oil.

The New York Times

We examine the possibility that both of these findings tell a part of the story.

Accounting, Organizations and Society

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To enhance clarity, follow "examine the possibility" with a concise statement of the potential outcome or action being considered, e.g., "examine the possibility of reducing costs".

Common error

Avoid presenting the examination of a possibility as a guaranteed outcome. Use qualifiers such as "may", "might", or "could" to maintain appropriate levels of uncertainty when discussing potential results.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "examine the possibility" functions as an action-oriented expression, indicating a deliberate process of investigation or assessment. Ludwig AI shows its usage across various contexts, emphasizing its role in introducing a potential line of inquiry.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

45%

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "examine the possibility" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that introduces the consideration of a potential course of action or outcome. According to Ludwig, it functions as an action-oriented expression. It is utilized across various contexts, notably in scientific research, news reporting, and business communications. When employing this phrase, clarity and specificity are key, ensuring that the scope of the examination is well-defined. While alternatives like "investigate the potential" or "assess the likelihood" exist, "examine the possibility" remains a versatile and widely accepted choice. The phrase maintains a neutral register, suitable for diverse audiences. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase is used correctly in English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

investigate the potential

Substitutes "possibility" with "potential", focusing on the inherent capacity for something to happen, and "examine" with "investigate", indicating a systematic inquiry.

scrutinize the prospect

Replaces "possibility" with "prospect" and "examine" with "scrutinize", implying a more detailed and critical assessment.

analyze the plausibility

Replaces "possibility" with "plausibility", focusing on how believable or credible something is, and "examine" with "analyze", suggesting a detailed and systematic study.

assess the likelihood

Replaces "possibility" with "likelihood", emphasizing the probability of something occurring, and "examine" with "assess", suggesting a careful evaluation.

consider the feasibility

Substitutes "possibility" with "feasibility", focusing on the practicality and viability of something, and "examine" with "consider", implying a more thoughtful reflection.

evaluate the chance

Replaces "possibility" with "chance", highlighting the element of randomness or luck, and "examine" with "evaluate", suggesting a structured appraisal.

explore the option

Replaces "possibility" with "option", framing it as a choice or alternative, and "examine" with "explore", indicating a less rigorous investigation.

look into the opportunity

Substitutes "possibility" with "opportunity", framing it as a favorable set of circumstances, and "examine" with "look into", indicating a preliminary investigation.

delve into the prospect

Replaces "examine" with "delve into", suggesting a deeper, more thorough investigation of the "prospect".

ascertain the potentiality

Substitutes "examine" with "ascertain", which implies to find something out for certain and replaces "possibility" with "potentiality", which emphasizes the inherent capacity for something to develop.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "examine the possibility" in a formal context?

In a formal setting, consider alternatives like "investigate the potential", "assess the likelihood", or "consider the feasibility" to maintain a professional tone.

What's the difference between "examine the possibility" and "explore the option"?

"Examine the possibility" suggests a more thorough and analytical investigation, while "explore the option" implies a less rigorous, more preliminary consideration of available choices.

Is it always necessary to specify what possibility is being examined?

While not always grammatically required, specifying the possibility being examined enhances clarity and prevents ambiguity. For example, instead of saying "We need to examine the possibility", specify "We need to examine the possibility of expanding our market share".

When is it appropriate to use "examine the possibility" in writing?

It is appropriate to use "examine the possibility" when you want to convey that a particular option, scenario, or course of action is being carefully considered and evaluated, often with the intention of determining its potential benefits, drawbacks, and feasibility.