it has a possibility

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it has a possibility" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the likelihood or potential of something occurring. Example: "The weather forecast indicates that it has a possibility of rain later in the day."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

As horse mackerel belongs to a family known for preferring warmer water, it has a possibility to extend its distribution southwards to the central area during warm-water intrusions from north.

Fisheries Oceanography

Kurzewski's website says that each ship will be a "personification of one of the ideals of Oceania and it has a possibility of simulation of its own 'voice' and 'thoughts,' and also has the knowledge of the underwater land and also its own knowledge which it conveys".

Vice

"I don't know if it will work, but it has a possibility," Mr. Koch said in an interview.

The New York Times

Further, an agent needs to know the states of all the cells where it has a possibility to move to them in upcoming iterations.

Complex Adaptive Systems Modeling

More precisely, the down-type quark becomes a quantum superposition of up-type quarks: that is to say, it has a possibility of becoming any one of the three up-type quarks, with the probabilities given in the CKM matrix tables.

Wikipedia

Make sure the skateboard is 7 ply or higher otherwise it has a possibility of snapping and you crashing.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

On the other hand, considering that 4DST is incorporated into DNA[24, 25], 4DST is expected to discriminate metastatic LNs from others, but it also has a possibility of accumulating with reactive proliferation.

EJNMMI Research

"It has a good possibility of manifesting in our lifetime; there have been three major pandemics, and a mild one three years ago – which doesn't reduce the possibility of a pandemic happening".

The Guardian

The efficient low-cost device tends to get a higher weight, implying it has a higher possibility to be assigned.

Journal of Network and Computer Applications

Lewis could lose his chairman's title if a shareholder proposal to split the roles of chairman and chief executive succeeds, and several shareholders said Tuesday it has a strong possibility of prevailing.

Forbes

It has a lot of possibilities to choose from.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it has a possibility", ensure the sentence clearly indicates what "it" refers to, maintaining clarity and avoiding ambiguity. For improved readability, consider rephrasing with alternatives like "there is a possibility" or "it is possible".

Common error

While grammatically sound, "it has a possibility" can sound less sophisticated in formal writing. Opt for stronger, more direct phrases such as "it is likely" or "it is probable" to enhance professionalism.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it has a possibility" functions as a statement of potential or likelihood. It indicates that something is not certain but remains within the realm of what could occur. As Ludwig confirms, the phrase is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

30%

News & Media

50%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "it has a possibility" is a grammatically sound way to express potential or likelihood, as confirmed by Ludwig. While correct and usable, this construction leans towards a neutral register and is more common in general writing than in highly formal contexts. Ludwig's analysis highlights that it is frequently used in scientific and news-related articles. For a more polished tone in professional writing, consider alternatives like "it is likely" or "the potential exists". Ensure clarity by explicitly defining what "it" refers to, and quantify the degree of possibility when appropriate. The phrase is suitable for various contexts, and as Ludwig AI points out, it effectively conveys a degree of uncertainty about future events.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it is a possibility

Omits "has", focusing on the state of being a possibility rather than possession of it.

there is a possibility

Rephrases to emphasize existence of a possibility rather than attributing it to something.

it is potentially possible

Adds emphasis on potential, implying a slightly stronger chance than a mere possibility.

it is conceivable

Uses a different word to convey the idea of being imaginable or believable.

it could happen

Simplifies the phrase to a basic statement of potential occurrence.

there's a chance of that

Uses idiomatic expression with a direct implication of likelihood.

it may be possible

Introduces uncertainty with "may", softening the assertion of possibility.

the possibility exists

Emphasizes the presence of a possibility as an independent element.

it is within the realm of possibility

Expresses the possibility in a slightly more formal and emphatic way.

it is not out of the question

Employs a double negative to imply a degree of possibility, often used for unlikely scenarios.

FAQs

What's a more formal alternative to "it has a possibility"?

Consider using phrases like "it is likely", "it is probable", or "the likelihood exists" for a more formal tone.

How can I make my sentence with "it has a possibility" clearer?

Ensure that "it" is clearly defined and that the context provides sufficient information about the nature and scope of the possibility.

Is "it has a possibility" always the best way to express potential?

Not always. Depending on the context, using phrases like "there is a chance", "it is possible", or "it could happen" may offer a more concise and impactful way to convey the same meaning.

Can I quantify the possibility when using "it has a possibility"?

Yes, you can add adverbs or phrases to indicate the degree of possibility, such as "it has a strong possibility", "it has a slight possibility", or "it has a reasonable possibility".