heighten the possibility

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "heighten the possibility" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it when you want to describe increasing the likelihood or chances of something happening. Example: The new safety measures implemented by the construction company will heighten the possibility of completing the project on time.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

The danger, the ICG warns, is that such pressures could exacerbate the military situation and heighten the possibility of violent escalation.There is only so much the outside world can do.

The Economist

Arguably, the main issue is that delays will heighten the possibility that some young people may not persevere with their appointments.

BMC Psychiatry

Social and environmental determinants, which include socio-economic status (for example, unemployment, poverty, degree of urbanisation and migration) may increase proclivity to risky behaviour (such as unprotected sex or drug use) and heighten the possibility of infection.

Globalization and Health

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Presenting "Funny Thing" with a male-only cast would seem only to heighten the possibilities for onstage rudeness and crudeness.

The New York Times

But that also sows vulnerability, heightening the possibility that hours are cut when the economy slows and demand for goods and services dries up.

The New York Times

Any deal the Knicks make for Sprewell is most likely to be a complicated three-team trade, which heightens the possibility that Sprewell will remain with the Knicks, at least until the trading deadline in February.

The New York Times - Sports

Which heightens the possibility for misunderstanding and inadvertent conflict.

Huffington Post

"Dopamine changes the brain on a cellular level, commanding the brain to 'do it again,' which heightens the possibility of relapse even long after the behavior has stopped.

Huffington Post

Plasma membrane localisation of plant NRTs heightens the possibility for roles in cellular Cl− fluxes.

BMC Plant Biology

Even when research data are de-identified, the increasing linking and interoperability of various health information databases heightens the possibility that individuals may be re-identified [ 15].

BMC Medical Ethics

At the same time, increasing reliance on the criminal justice system to enforce a principle of near universal disclosure of HIV-positive status, even when transmission is unlikely, presses HIV-positive people into an untenable double bind: they must place themselves into the risky position of heightening the possibility of rejection, stigmatization, and prosecution.

Critical Public Health

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "heighten the possibility", ensure the context clearly indicates what factor is increasing the chance of a specific outcome. For example, "Implementing stricter regulations will heighten the possibility of preventing fraud".

Common error

While grammatically sound, "heighten the possibility" can sound slightly formal. In more casual writing, consider alternatives like "increase the chances" or "make it more likely" for a more natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "heighten the possibility" functions as a verb phrase, specifically acting as a transitive verb followed by a direct object. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct. The verb "heighten" indicates the action of increasing, while "the possibility" is the object being acted upon.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

33%

Encyclopedias

0%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "heighten the possibility" is a grammatically sound phrase used to express an increase in the likelihood of something occurring. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, and while it appears across various domains, it's most commonly found in scientific and news-related contexts. While not incorrect, "heighten the possibility" can be overly formal for casual conversation and may be better replaced with alternatives like "increase the chances". Its function is to express increased likelihood or chance, and its neutral-to-formal register makes it suitable for professional and academic writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

increase the likelihood

Focuses on making something more likely, similar to increasing the chance of it happening.

raise the probability

Emphasizes increasing the statistical chance of an event.

boost the potential

Highlights enhancing the inherent capability for something to occur.

amplify the prospect

Suggests making the vision or expectation of something more prominent.

magnify the odds

Implies making the chances of something happening significantly greater.

escalate the risk

Highlights increasing the danger associated with an action, shifting the focus to negative outcomes.

encourage the opportunity

Suggests fostering a situation where something favorable can occur.

promote the feasibility

Focuses on making something more practical or achievable.

cultivate the chance

Implies carefully nurturing the conditions for something to happen.

aggravate the potential

Emphasizes making an existing possibility more pronounced or severe, often in a negative context.

FAQs

What does "heighten the possibility" mean?

It means to increase the likelihood or chance of something happening. It suggests that certain actions or conditions are making an event more probable.

How to use "heighten the possibility" in a sentence?

Here's an example: "The new marketing campaign will "heighten the possibility" of increased sales."

Which is correct, "heighten the possibility" or "increase the possibility"?

Both are correct, but "increase the possibility" is more common and may sound less formal. "Heighten" adds a slightly more emphatic tone.

What can I say instead of "heighten the possibility"?

You can use alternatives like "increase the likelihood", "raise the probability", or "boost the potential" depending on the specific context.