it was only possible

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was only possible" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something could only happen under certain conditions or circumstances. Example: "After months of hard work and dedication, it was only possible to achieve our goals with the support of the entire team."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It was only possible once other forms of mastery had been established.

The New York Times - Arts

It was only possible to film some of the most alarming scenes with a hidden camera.

The Guardian

W: Yes, before 1989 it was only possible to record music from German radio.

The Guardian - Music

Tonight it was only possible to stand there and politely watch Housewives play.

The Guardian

"I think it was only possible because of the level of national and international outrage".

The New York Times

"It was only possible because I was surrounded by people who actually did know what they were doing".

The Guardian

It's just plain wrong.' Donnelly said it was only possible to multiply the two risk factors if the two deaths were not connected by any linking cause.

The Guardian

This meant it was only possible to surf in the mornings (when we were doing our French) or in the evenings.

The Guardian - Travel

At first it was only possible to visualize the requirements through the elaborated RD.

Journal of Software Engineering Research and Development

It was only possible to determine if headache intensity became better or worse over time.

The Journal of Headache and Pain

It was only possible when the UAV echo peak did not overlap the Doppler peak of atmospheric echoes.

Progress in Earth and Planetary Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it was only possible" to clearly state limitations or conditions under which an event or action could occur. This helps to set realistic expectations and provide context.

Common error

Avoid using "it was only possible" when other options genuinely existed. This phrase implies a single path or solution, and misusing it can undermine your credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was only possible" functions as an introductory clause setting the stage for explaining a specific condition or limitation that made something achievable or viable. It acts as a qualifier, restricting the scope of possibility. Ludwig AI confirms its common usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

52%

News & Media

37%

Formal & Business

11%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it was only possible" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to indicate that something could occur solely under specific conditions. Ludwig AI's analysis confirms this. Predominantly found in scientific and news-related contexts, its neutral register makes it adaptable for diverse communication scenarios. When employing this phrase, clarity is paramount: ensure that the stated condition was indeed essential and avoid overstating the exclusivity. Consider alternative phrasings like "it was solely achievable" to refine your message with precision. By paying attention to these nuances, one can harness the true power of "it was only possible".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it could only be realized

Replaces "was possible" with "could only be realized", focusing on the actualization aspect with limitations.

it was solely achievable

Replaces "possible" with "achievable" and "only" with "solely", emphasizing the exclusivity of the condition.

it was exclusively feasible

Changes "possible" to "feasible" and "only" to "exclusively", stressing the practicality under particular conditions.

it was contingent on

Replaces the original phrase with a more formal expression, emphasizing the dependency of the event on certain conditions.

it was uniquely attainable

Substitutes "possible" with "attainable" and "only" with "uniquely", highlighting the specific circumstances required for attainment.

it was limited to

This alternative emphasizes the restrictive aspect of the condition, suggesting a boundary or constraint.

it depended solely on

Emphasizes the dependency on a single factor, using "depended solely on" to highlight this reliance.

it was conditional upon

Shifts the structure to highlight the conditional nature of the event, implying that the event's occurrence depended on a specific condition being met.

it was restricted to

Indicates that the possibility was limited or confined to specific instances or conditions.

it hinged entirely on

Uses "hinged entirely on" to convey that the outcome was completely dependent on a specific factor.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "it was only possible" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "it was contingent on", or "it was conditional upon" to indicate that something depended on specific circumstances.

What's a simpler way to say "it was only possible"?

Simpler alternatives include "it could only be done" or "it was only achievable", which convey the same meaning with less formality.

Is "it was only possible because" grammatically correct?

Yes, "it was only possible because" is grammatically correct. It's used to explain that something happened solely due to a particular reason or condition. For example, "It was only possible because of your help."

What's the difference between "it was only possible" and "it was entirely possible"?

"It was only possible" implies that something could happen only under certain specific conditions. On the other hand, "it was entirely possible" means that something was completely or highly likely to happen, without necessarily needing specific conditions.