hold the possibility

USAGE SUMMARY

"hold the possibility" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to talk about a potential outcome, or something that might be possible in the future. For example: This project holds the possibility of great success if we keep working hard.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

But in this case, instead of threatening humankind with destruction, they hold the possibility changing the world in a magnificent way and without any downside risks.

University of California, Berkeley

And with that hope, the major parties continue to play by the rules, pretending elections still hold the possibility of ending the AKP's 16-year reign.

The Washington Post

Most of the studied solutions hold the possibility to extend the application area from positioning to additional tasks like acoustic particle detection or monitoring of the deep-sea acoustic environment.

Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section A: Accelerators, Spectrometers, Detectors and Associated Equipment

With half the population unemployed or underemployed and poorly skilled, only three sectors hold the possibility of lifting much of the country out of poverty: mining, manufacturing and agriculture.

The Guardian

Many insist that, despite the peace process, they will still face persecution in Burundi, where the perpetrators of the worst acts of violence remain unpunished and next year's elections hold the possibility of renewed conflict.

The Guardian

Or poor meek María, raped then forced to keep quiet about it so the fish factory gang – Leifur (her father!), Hrafn and Guðni – could hold the possibility of a rape charge over Geirmundur's head to get him to burn the factory down before skipping town.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

For the plaintiffs, California law also holds the possibility of higher damages.

The New York Times - Tech

"I think it holds the possibility of flinging wide open the question of what Homo is".

The New York Times - Science

This Olympic tournament holds the possibility of surprises, emerging stars and conflicting styles of play.

The New York Times

For Less, everything holds the possibility of humiliation; everything is booby-trapped by his own reckless optimism.

The New Yorker

"This election holds the possibility of a real path to power," said Alfonso Zárate, a Mexico City political analyst.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "hold the possibility", ensure the subject clearly identifies what possesses the potential. For example, "This research holds the possibility of revolutionizing medicine."

Common error

Avoid vague subjects. Instead of saying "There holds the possibility...", specify what entity or action possesses the potential.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hold the possibility" functions as a verb phrase, indicating that something possesses the capacity for a particular outcome or potential. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically sound. The provided examples demonstrate its use in diverse contexts, ranging from scientific research to political scenarios.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "hold the possibility" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase, as stated by Ludwig AI, used to express that something has potential or a chance for a specific outcome. While uncommon in frequency, it appears across various contexts, including news, science, and academia. The phrase functions as a verb phrase expressing potential or likelihood. To enhance clarity, it's best to specify the subject possessing the possibility. Alternatives include "offer the potential" and "present the chance". This analysis provides a comprehensive understanding of the phrase's usage and context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

offer the potential

Replaces "hold" with "offer", shifting the focus to the act of presenting potential.

present the chance

Substitutes "possibility" with "chance", suggesting a specific opportunity.

harbor the prospect

Uses more formal vocabulary, replacing "hold" with "harbor" and "possibility" with "prospect".

contain the capacity

Replaces "possibility" with "capacity", emphasizing inherent capability.

entail the likelihood

Emphasizes the probability aspect of the possibility.

include the potentiality

Replaces "possibility" with "potentiality", a more formal synonym.

leave room for the chance

Focuses on creating space for an opportunity.

allow for the prospect

Suggests permission or allowance for a certain outcome.

present an opportunity for

Highlights the aspect of opportunity provided.

suggest the feasibility

Emphasizes the aspect of something being realistically possible.

FAQs

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

Use "hold the possibility" to indicate that something has the potential for a particular outcome. For example, "This new technology "holds the possibility" of solving climate change".

What are some alternatives to "hold the possibility"?

Alternatives include "offer the potential", "present the chance", or "harbor the prospect", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it more correct to say "hold a possibility" or "hold the possibility"?

"Hold the possibility" is generally more correct when referring to a specific, identifiable potential. "Hold a possibility" might be used in more abstract or general contexts.

What's the difference between "hold the possibility" and "hold the potential"?

While similar, "hold the potential" emphasizes inherent capacity, whereas "hold the possibility" focuses on a specific possible outcome. They can often be used interchangeably, but "hold the potential" has a broader implication.