have the possibility

USAGE SUMMARY

'have the possibility' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when describing a potential opportunity or outcome. For example: "The new legislation could have the possibility of changing the way we do business."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"We have the possibility.

The New York Times - Sports

Of course people have the possibility to lie.

The Guardian

It has to have the possibility to grow".

The New York Times - Arts

They have the possibility of a better life".

The Guardian

Rather than the fact of harm, we have the possibility of harm.

The Guardian - Opinion

And he had a solution: "We do have the possibility of... increasing margin requirements.

The New York Times

I still have the possibility of making it, but I was told five to 10 days.

The Guardian - Sport

If we have the possibility to do it right from the beginning, we should do it".

The New York Times - Travel

Here we have the possibility of fusing eastern and western musical ideas.

The Guardian - Music

"Wherever they have the possibility, they will cleanse minorities, ethnic cleansing," he said.

The Guardian

"We, as humans, have the possibility to weigh our own life and decide to end it".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Ensure the context clearly indicates what action or outcome the possibility refers to. For instance, specify "have the possibility to improve" rather than just "have the possibility".

Common error

Avoid using "have the possibility" repeatedly in close proximity. Vary your language by using synonyms like "potential", "opportunity", or rephrasing with verbs like "could" or "might" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have the possibility" functions as a verb phrase, indicating that someone or something possesses the capacity or potential for a particular action or outcome. As Ludwig AI indicates, this phrase is considered grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

39%

Formal & Business

19%

Less common in

Unknown

0%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "have the possibility" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that indicates potential or opportunity. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is correct and usable in written English. It commonly appears in news, scientific, and formal business contexts. While versatile, remember to avoid overuse and consider synonyms like "have the potential" for variety. This phrase serves to communicate that a certain outcome is feasible, though not guaranteed, thereby adding nuance to your expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have the potential

Replaces "possibility" with "potential", emphasizing inherent capacity for development.

have an opportunity

Emphasizes a favorable set of circumstances for doing something.

have the option

Focuses on having a choice or alternative available.

have the chance

Highlights the availability of an opportunity.

afford the opportunity

Highlights providing a chance for something to occur.

be able to

Indicates the capability or ability to do something.

be capable of

Stresses the inherent ability or competence.

be in a position to

Highlights the state or situation allowing something to happen.

be likely to

Focuses on the probability of something occurring.

stand a chance

Suggests a reasonable prospect of success.

FAQs

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

You can use "have the possibility" to indicate a potential or opportunity for something to happen. For example, "This new technology "has the possibility" to revolutionize the industry".

What are some alternatives to "have the possibility"?

Alternatives include "have the potential", "have the option", or "have the chance". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it more formal to say "have the possibility" or "have the potential"?

"Have the potential" is often considered slightly more formal and concise than "have the possibility", though both are acceptable in most contexts.

When is it appropriate to use "have the possibility of" versus "have the possibility to"?

"Have the possibility of" is typically followed by a gerund (verb ending in -ing), while "have the possibility to" is followed by the base form of a verb. For example, "have the possibility of winning" versus "have the possibility to win".