is possible not

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is possible not" is not correct in standard written English.
It is not a commonly used construction and may confuse readers. Example: "It is possible not to attend the meeting if you have prior commitments."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Democratized health care is possible — not inevitable.

Stanford University

"Without secrecy," he added, "nothing is possible — not love, not friendship".

The New York Times

But the draft says only that the low number is possible, not that it is likely.

The New York Times - Science

In fact, it is possible, not just in principle, but empirically, and not just in the future, but now.

University of California, Berkeley

As she argues, it is possible not only to "fake it till you make it," but to really becomepowerful.

Princeton University

Asked if he thought the conference would be a success, he said: "It is possible, not certain".

The Guardian

She makes me feel that anything is possible – not on a material level, but on a fundamental one.

Independent

Halting the rise of carbon emissions is possible – not only possible, but achievable at a modest cost that will be more than outweighed by the manifest benefits.

The Guardian

Studies of centenarians, most of whom are healthy and independent, have revealed that it is possible not only to live long but well.

The New York Times - Health

According to the reality discourse, anything is possible not only by way of talent but on account of simple likability – or lack of it.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

It is possible -- not easy, but possible -- to mount an international effort to cut the emissions of greenhouse gases to an extent that would ward off a global catastrophe.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "is possible not" in formal writing. Instead, opt for clearer alternatives like "it is not possible" or "it may not be possible".

Common error

Avoid placing "not" directly after "is possible". This construction is awkward and can confuse readers. Ensure that "not" is correctly positioned to negate the entire phrase, such as "it is not possible."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is possible not" functions as a way to express impossibility or uncertainty. However, according to Ludwig AI, this construction is non-standard and can lead to confusion. Examples from the search results show its usage in contexts where the intent is to negate the possibility of something.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "is possible not" appears in various contexts, including news, science, and academic writing, it is considered non-standard English. Ludwig AI indicates that this phrase is grammatically questionable, and clearer alternatives such as "it is not possible" or "it may not be possible" are preferable, especially in formal settings. The phrase aims to express impossibility or uncertainty, but its unconventional structure can cause confusion. Therefore, it's advisable to use more grammatically accepted alternatives for better clarity and precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it may not be possible

Expresses uncertainty about the possibility of something.

it isn't possible

States a direct impossibility.

it's not feasible

Highlights the impracticality of something.

it cannot be done

Emphasizes the inability to perform an action.

it is not achievable

Focuses on the lack of attainability.

it is unlikely to happen

Indicates a low probability of occurrence.

it's improbable

Suggests a rare chance of something occurring.

it defies possibility

Highlights the extreme unlikelihood or impossibility.

it is out of the question

States something is not worth considering because it's impossible or inappropriate.

it's just not on

It's unacceptable, unfeasible, or out of the question.

FAQs

How to use "is possible not" correctly in a sentence?

While "is possible not" isn't standard English, rephrasing to "it is not possible" or "it may not be possible" provides clarity. For example, instead of "attending is possible not", say "it is not possible to attend".

What can I say instead of "is possible not"?

You can use alternatives like "it is not possible", "it may not be possible", or "it isn't possible" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "is possible not" or "it is not possible"?

"It is not possible" is the correct and more common way to express impossibility compared to the less conventional "is possible not".

What's the difference between "is possible not" and "may not be possible"?

"Is possible not" isn't standard. "May not be possible" indicates uncertainty about the possibility, whereas a corrected version like "it is not possible" states a direct impossibility.