negative possibility

USAGE SUMMARY

'negative possibility' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to hypothetical situations which are unlikely to happen or which one hopes will not happen. For example, "We must consider the negative possibility that the wind turbines will cause disruption to the local bird population."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Huffington Post

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

When he says that an affirmative assertoric statement does not imply the corresponding de re necessity statement, the background of this remark is the definition of a de re contingency statement as a conjunction of an affirmative and corresponding negative possibility proper statement (7.34 36).

SEP

On some level I believe that if I worry about a negative possibility the act of worrying will prevent it from happening.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

When a candidate projects potential outcomes, intentions and positions onto the opponent, the incentive is to draw out possible consequences to the extreme negative possibilities, and to develop a powerful narrative of how much worse it could be if the other side wins.

Huffington Post

I hadn't let myself think of any negative possibilities until then.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Despite the purpose of anomaly screening being clearly explained, the negative possibilities are a spectre firmly banished from consciousness.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Rather than mapping out every possibility, commanders practice a form of analytic triage by focusing on two negative possibilities, discarding almost everything else.

Harvard University

If these and other negative possibilities were to come to pass, America's support could be interpreted as a failure of its Africa policy.

The Guardian - Opinion

And just about that time the Facebook Cambridge Analytica scandal happened, and kind of the world all of a sudden was talking about all the negative possibilities.

MIT Technology Review

Or, on the level of abstract visual strategy, the back-and-forth movements of the characters can be read as a demonstration of their individual choices, their positive and negative possibilities, and of how they come to rest on the strong axis as they admit their mutual humanity.

Encyclopedia Britannica

While there's no way to predict absolutely everything, there is a way REITs can significantly shorten the list of negative possibilities they have to worry about.

Forbes

Lesson: Do not begin working on a project until a solid contract that covers all positive and negative possibilities is signed by both parties.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing risk management, explicitly state both the "likelihood" and potential "impact" of a "negative possibility" for clarity.

Common error

Avoid substituting overly gentle terms for "negative possibility" when directness is necessary for accurate risk assessment and communication. Be clear about potential downsides.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "negative possibility" functions as a noun phrase, where "negative" modifies the noun "possibility". According to Ludwig, it's used to describe scenarios or outcomes that are undesirable or potentially harmful. It identifies something that might happen but is hoped not to.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "negative possibility" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe potential adverse outcomes. Ludwig AI confirms its usability. While not exceptionally common, it appears in a range of contexts, including news, science, and personal discussions. It serves to highlight risks and encourage consideration of preventative measures. Alternatives include "unfavorable possibility" or "adverse possibility". When using this phrase, be clear about the likelihood and potential impact of the "negative possibility" being discussed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unfavorable possibility

Replaces "negative" with a synonym, maintaining a similar level of formality.

undesirable possibility

Emphasizes the unwanted nature of the potential outcome.

adverse possibility

Uses a more formal term for "negative", suitable for professional or academic contexts.

bleak outlook

Shifts from a specific possibility to a general pessimistic expectation.

grim prospect

Highlights a particularly severe or depressing potential outcome.

worrisome scenario

Focuses on the anxiety or concern associated with the potential situation.

unwelcome eventuality

Emphasizes the unwanted and inevitable nature of the potential outcome.

challenging contingency

Highlights the difficulty or complexity associated with managing the potential outcome.

detrimental chance

Focuses on the harm or damage that the potential outcome could cause.

pessimistic outlook

Shifts the focus to a general expectation of negative outcomes.

FAQs

How can I use "negative possibility" in a sentence?

You can use "negative possibility" to refer to potential adverse outcomes or scenarios, such as: "We must consider the "negative possibility" that the new policy will decrease employee morale."

What are some alternatives to "negative possibility"?

Alternatives include "unfavorable possibility", "undesirable possibility", or "adverse possibility" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "negative outcome" or "negative possibility"?

While both are acceptable, "negative possibility" refers to a potential outcome, whereas "negative outcome" refers to an event that has already occurred.

What does it mean to entertain a "negative possibility"?

To entertain a "negative possibility" means to consider it, analyze it, and potentially prepare for it, even if it's not a desired outcome.