once thought possible

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "once thought possible" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to something that was previously considered achievable or feasible but may no longer be viewed that way. Example: "The technology to travel to Mars was once thought possible, inspiring generations of scientists and dreamers."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

Such reverberations were once thought possible, causing great concern among some religious leaders.

The New York Times

Few are celebrating in Sana'a, the capital, but more has been achieved than was once thought possible.

The Economist

Now she has a new chance to heal – a prospect she once thought possible only in a life after death.

The Guardian

Federal Reserve policy makers have repeatedly cited gains in productivity for allowing the economy to expand more rapidly than once thought possible without touching off increases in inflation.

The New York Times

Productivity lowers the cost of doing business and enables the economy to grow faster than once thought possible without igniting inflation.

The New York Times

Meanwhile, television shows — competing for fresh content and audiences as the number of scripted series has increased dramatically in recent years — have helped expand the boundaries of what was once thought possible.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

They have revealed little to shake the foundations of either Judaism or Christianity, as once was thought possible.

The New York Times

AI transforming HPC in every industry and will help innovators deliver incredible benefits to their business in ways we had once not thought possible.

Forbes

When we address these root causes of our health and well-being, we find that our bodies often have a remarkable capacity to begin healing themselves and much more quickly than had once been thought possible.

Huffington Post

This is a radical approach -- "radical" comes from the Latin word meaning "root". When we address these root causes of our health and well-being, we find that our bodies often have a remarkable capacity to begin healing themselves and much more quickly than had once been thought possible.

HuffPost

The accelerated speed at which Wetherell and CMGI are now moving would have been unthinkable a year ago, and he now has more money than he probably once would have thought possible.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When employing "once thought possible", ensure that the context clearly indicates what has changed to challenge the initial perception.

Common error

Avoid using "once thought possible" without clearly establishing the timeframe to which you are referring. Without this context, the phrase loses its impact and may confuse the reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "once thought possible" functions as an adjectival modifier, typically describing a situation, achievement, or idea. It indicates a past assessment of feasibility that may no longer hold true. Ludwig AI confirms its usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "once thought possible" is a phrase used to express a contrast between past beliefs and present realities, highlighting a shift in perspective. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent usage across news, science, encyclopedias and wikis. While suitable for various contexts, it's essential to ensure a clear temporal reference to avoid confusion. Alternatives like "previously considered feasible" or "formerly deemed achievable" can be used for a more formal tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

previously considered feasible

Replaces "thought possible" with a more formal synonym "considered feasible", emphasizing achievability.

formerly deemed achievable

Uses "deemed achievable" to convey a past assessment of attainability, adding a layer of formality.

used to be regarded as plausible

Employs "regarded as plausible" to highlight a past perception of credibility or likelihood.

once believed attainable

Swaps "thought possible" with "believed attainable", focusing on the conviction of reachability.

initially viewed as realistic

Replaces "thought possible" with "viewed as realistic", stressing the initial perception of practicality.

once imagined to be within reach

Uses "imagined to be within reach" to express a past vision of accessibility, adding a touch of creativity.

what was earlier seen as viable

Rephrases with "earlier seen as viable", emphasizing a shift from past feasibility.

something that used to seem feasible

Introduces the concept as "something" and uses "seem feasible" for a more conversational tone.

formerly supposed to be achievable

Expresses the idea using "supposed to be achievable", highlighting an earlier expectation of success.

previously anticipated as feasible

Substitutes "thought possible" with "anticipated as feasible", stressing a past expectation of practicability.

FAQs

How can I use "once thought possible" in a sentence?

Use "once thought possible" to describe something that was previously considered achievable but now may not be, such as, "Reaching Mars "once thought possible", now faces significant technological hurdles".

What are some alternatives to "once thought possible"?

You can use alternatives like "previously considered feasible", "formerly deemed achievable", or "used to be regarded as plausible" depending on the specific context.

What's the difference between "once thought possible" and "previously thought possible"?

While both phrases are similar, "once thought possible" implies a sense of something that was at one time believed to be within reach but is now viewed differently, while "previously thought possible" simply indicates a past belief without necessarily implying a change in perspective.

Is it correct to say "once was thought possible" instead of "once thought possible"?

While "once was thought possible" is grammatically correct, "once thought possible" is more common and direct. Both phrases convey a similar meaning, but the latter is generally preferred for its conciseness and clarity.