increase the possibility of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "increase the possibility of" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it in situations where you are suggesting that something is more likely to happen or occur. For example: "Implementing the new policy will increase the possibility of success."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

B. increase the possibility of a balanced budget.

The New York Times

And, the sheer numbers of micro-organisms increase the possibility of successful invasions.

The New York Times - Science

The evening kickoff will increase the possibility of enthusiasm after daylong tailgate parties.

The New York Times - Sports

Some observers said on Friday that his resignation could increase the possibility of snap elections.

The Guardian

Cheap tickets increase the possibility of a sellout, which augments merchandise and concession sales.

The New Yorker

Such a difference could increase the possibility of greater inequality within America.

The New York Times

Tailoring your application takes more time, but will increase the possibility of you being called in for an interview.

The Guardian

Respect's national chairman, John Rees, said the irregularities increase the possibility of legal challenges after next Thursday's vote.

The Guardian

The potential for such programs to increase the possibility of racial profiling is well known.

The New York Times

That, however, would only increase the possibility of internal and regional mayhem.

The New York Times

And the barbless hooks increase the possibility of a fish getting off".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "increase the possibility of" when you want to emphasize that an action or condition makes a specific outcome more likely, but not certain. For instance, "Careful planning can increase the possibility of a successful project."

Common error

Avoid using "increase the possibility of" when the outcome is already highly probable or virtually guaranteed. Instead, use stronger phrases like "ensure" or "guarantee" to reflect the higher degree of certainty.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "increase the possibility of" functions as a verb phrase that modifies a noun, indicating that an action or condition raises the likelihood of a particular outcome. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is considered grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Science

32%

Formal & Business

16%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Academia

5%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "increase the possibility of" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to denote the enhancement of an outcome's likelihood. As Ludwig AI affirms, it's suitable for various contexts. The phrase is most commonly found in "News & Media" and "Science", demonstrating its versatility across different registers. While interchangeable with alternatives like "raise the likelihood of" or "enhance the potential for", it's crucial to avoid overstating certainty and consider stronger verbs when outcomes are virtually guaranteed. By understanding its function, purpose, and appropriate usage, you can effectively incorporate "increase the possibility of" into your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

raise the likelihood of

Replaces "possibility" with "likelihood", offering a direct synonym and maintaining the overall structure.

promote the probability of

Suggests active encouragement of something to make it more likely.

enhance the potential for

Substitutes "possibility" with "potential" and uses "for" instead of "of", slightly altering the emphasis to focus on inherent capacity.

improve the chances of

Replaces "possibility" with "chances" offering a more casual tone while preserving the core meaning.

boost the prospect of

Uses "prospect" instead of "possibility", suggesting a future-oriented view and potential success.

maximize the opportunity for

Shifts the focus to "opportunity", implying proactive creation of favorable conditions.

contribute to a higher probability of

Adds a causal aspect, highlighting the contribution to a greater likelihood.

make more likely

A more concise phrasing conveying the same meaning, but less formal.

pave the way for

Idiomatic expression implying the removal of obstacles to make something more likely.

open the door to

Idiomatic expression suggesting the creation of an opportunity or increased chance.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "increase the possibility of" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using alternatives like "enhance the potential for", "promote the probability of", or "contribute to a higher probability of".

What are some less formal alternatives to "increase the possibility of"?

If you're aiming for a less formal tone, try phrases like "improve the chances of" or "make more likely".

Is there a difference between "increase the possibility of" and "increase the likelihood of"?

While both phrases are very similar, "likelihood" often implies a slightly higher degree of probability than "possibility". Therefore, "increase the likelihood of" might be used when the outcome is somewhat more probable.

When is it better to use "ensure" or "guarantee" instead of "increase the possibility of"?

Use "ensure" or "guarantee" when the action or condition makes the outcome nearly certain. "Increase the possibility of" is more appropriate when the outcome is made more likely but remains uncertain. Using stronger words in the wrong situations can risk a lack of credibility.