it is merely possible to

USAGE SUMMARY

The sentence 'it is merely possible to' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express that a situation is possible, but not certain or definite. For example: "It is merely possible to predict the outcome of the election at this point."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Therefore, it is merely possible to state generally that the contaminant levels during production and 12 25 years after production are of the same level or only slightly different.

Environmental Sciences Europe

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

"This is not a case in which it is merely possible for a court to think of a rational basis on which Congress might have perceived an attenuated link between the powers underlying the federal criminal statutes and the challenged federal criminal provision," Justice Alito added, saying there was in this case at least "a substantial link".

The New York Times

And we must execute murderers as long as it is merely possible that their execution protects citizens from future murder".

The New York Times

If God does not exist, then it is either because the idea of God is impossible or because it is merely possible, i.e., contingent.

SEP

Actualists of this stripe will want to develop the logic of a quantifier ∃x which reflects commitment to what is actual in a given world rather than to what is merely possible.

SEP

She might have no views at all regarding p, possessing no evidence either for or against p; or she might believe p is merely possible, possessing evidence for or against p too weak to warrant belief that p or ~p (Bermúdez 2000).

SEP

The questions readers ought to ask when confronting a "what-if" as opposed to "what-is" article are: Does the writer make it clear what is known, what is probable, and what is merely possible?

The New York Times - Science

Accordingly, they constitute the world's "fixed form" (2.022 3): the character of any possible world is constrained by the objects because all possible atomic states of affairs are configurations of them (On Wittgenstein's conception of possibility, the notion of an "alien" Tractarian object — one which is merely possible — is not even intelligible).

SEP

In this kind of video game, often described as an "open world" game, there is a difference between action that is required by the game in the course of the narrative and the action that is merely possible within the bounds the game; this further complicates the question of whether the capacity for some types of play should be removed.

The New Yorker

You are encouraged to read and study other philosophies, but always bear in mind that they are merely possible paths to the Truth.

WikiHow

I am NOT asking you to do this--it is merely one possible compromise solution to a difficult problem, which might suggest others.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it is merely possible to" when you want to acknowledge a possibility but emphasize its uncertainty or lack of strong evidence. It's suitable when you want to avoid overstating a claim.

Common error

Avoid using "it is merely possible to" when a stronger assertion is warranted. If evidence supports a higher degree of certainty, opt for phrases like "it is likely" or "it is probable" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it is merely possible to" functions as an epistemic modal, indicating a weak degree of possibility or contingency. It suggests that something could happen or be true, but without a strong basis for confidence or expectation. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

43%

News & Media

38%

Encyclopedias

7%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it is merely possible to" is a phrase used to express a weak degree of possibility. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically sound and useful in written English. Predominantly found in scientific, news, and encyclopedia contexts, this phrase serves to qualify statements and introduce uncertainty. While alternatives like "it is only possible to" exist, the selection depends on the precise shade of meaning. Use this phrase when you want to acknowledge a potential outcome without asserting strong likelihood. Avoid it when stronger evidence warrants a more definitive statement. The frequency of this phrase is common.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it is only possible to

Emphasizes limitation of possibility.

it is just possible to

Suggests a slight chance or possibility.

it is conceivably possible to

Adds a layer of imagination or speculation to the possibility.

it is remotely possible to

Indicates a low probability or unlikely scenario.

it is potentially possible to

Highlights the potential for something to occur, without certainty.

it is hypothetically possible to

Frames the possibility as a hypothetical scenario.

it is theoretically possible to

Focuses on the theoretical basis for the possibility.

it is technically possible to

Addresses the feasibility of something based on technical considerations.

it is marginally possible to

Highlights the slim margin of possibility.

it is faintly possible to

Emphasizes the weak or uncertain nature of the possibility.

FAQs

How can I use "it is merely possible to" in a sentence?

Use "it is merely possible to" when expressing a potential outcome or situation that is not strongly supported by evidence or likelihood. For example, "It is merely possible to predict the stock market's behavior with complete accuracy."

What phrases are similar to "it is merely possible to"?

Similar phrases include "it is only possible to", "it is just possible to", or "it is conceivably possible to". These alternatives also convey a sense of possibility, but often with slightly different nuances regarding certainty or likelihood.

How does "it is merely possible to" differ from "it is likely to"?

"It is merely possible to" suggests a weaker level of certainty compared to "it is likely to". The former implies a potential outcome without strong supporting evidence, while the latter indicates a higher probability based on available information.

Is it better to use "it is merely possible to" or a more direct statement?

The choice depends on the context and the strength of evidence. Use "it is merely possible to" when you want to acknowledge a possibility without implying a high likelihood. If there's substantial evidence, a more direct statement might be appropriate.