it is quite possible that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it is quite possible that" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is often used to indicate that an event or situation is likely to happen. For example: "It is quite possible that the economy will take many years to recover from the pandemic."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It is quite possible that this will not happen.

The New York Times

It is quite possible that undisclosed or forgotten stocks exist.

The New York Times

And this time it is quite possible that he will.

The Economist

It is quite possible that may be the consequence again.

The Guardian - Opinion

It is quite possible that they have added some volatility.

The New York Times

It is quite possible that the year could pass without any significant change.

The New York Times

It is quite possible that God has a reason for my call to you today".

The New Yorker

"It is quite possible that, without them, human beings would still be laying eggs".

The New Yorker

It is quite possible that, in the end, Turkey may choose not to join.

The Economist

It is quite possible that Tunisia will then follow the Egyptian model.

The New York Times

And it is quite possible that the players union is counseling him to take that approach.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it is quite possible that" to introduce a statement that suggests a reasonable likelihood but avoids absolute certainty.

Common error

Avoid using "it is quite possible that" when you have strong evidence or certainty. Choose stronger phrases like "it is certain that" or "it is evident that" to reflect the level of confidence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it is quite possible that" functions as an epistemic modal, expressing a degree of possibility or likelihood. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is grammatically sound and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "it is quite possible that" is a versatile epistemic modal used to express a reasonable degree of possibility without asserting certainty. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage across various contexts, including news media, scientific publications, and formal communications. The analysis indicates that while suitable for general use, it tends to be more prevalent in neutral to formal registers. To enhance your writing, use this phrase when you want to suggest a plausible outcome without overstating the confidence level. Remember to avoid using it when stronger evidence warrants more assertive language.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it's quite conceivable that

Similar to "it is quite possible that" but emphasizes conceivability.

it's entirely conceivable that

Emphasizes the conceivability or imaginability of something.

it's highly probable that

Indicates a high degree of probability or likelihood.

it's very likely that

States a strong likelihood of something occurring.

it's entirely plausible that

Suggests something is believable and reasonable.

it is not unlikely that

Uses a double negative to suggest a reasonable possibility.

chances are good that

An informal way of saying something is likely to happen.

there's a good chance that

Similar to "chances are good that" but slightly more formal.

the odds are that

Implies a probabilistic assessment of an event.

it's not out of the question that

Suggests something is possible, even if not particularly likely.

FAQs

How can I use "it is quite possible that" in a sentence?

Use "it is quite possible that" to introduce a statement that expresses a reasonable possibility or likelihood, but without complete certainty. For example, "It is quite possible that the meeting will be postponed."

What are some alternatives to "it is quite possible that"?

You can use alternatives like "it's very likely that", "it's highly probable that", or "it's entirely conceivable that" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "it is quite possible that"?

Use "it is quite possible that" when you want to suggest that something is likely to happen, but you don't have enough information to be completely certain. It's suitable for speculative or predictive statements.

Is there a difference in formality between "it is quite possible that" and "it's very likely that"?

"It is quite possible that" is slightly more formal than "it's very likely that". The former is more suitable for academic or professional writing, while the latter is acceptable in most contexts.