ongoing possibility

USAGE SUMMARY

"ongoing possibility" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It refers to a possibility that continues or persists over a period of time. Example: The ongoing possibility of a global pandemic has forced many countries to implement strict lockdown measures.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

[laughs] But it prompted the longer, ongoing possibility – we said, "What world do they inhabit exactly?" How would you describe the world that "Electric City" takes place in?

The New York Times

At the Prince of Wales Hospital in Hong Kong, where a sick 26-year-old infected 112 health workers in early March, the number of SARS patients has plunged from 160 to just 9. "We are still worrying about the ongoing possibility of recurring epidemics," said Dr. Justin Wu, a gastroenterologist who spent two months treating SARS patients at Prince of Wales Hospital.

The New York Times

It is part of any reasonable feminism to want to remain open to the ongoing possibility of collusion and self-deception.

SEP

All this, along with the ongoing possibility of staying within personal and group 'bubbles' of and being exposed to vast operations of manipulation require a new thinking about the use of technology in education and a new set of graduate attributes.

Research and Practice in Technology Enhanced Learning

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

That rare thing - a novel about redemption that so cannily eschews sentimentality, but also speaks volumes about the interrelationship between life's innate sorrows and life's ongoing possibilities.

The Guardian - Books

Heidegger claims that for us, living in the technological age, the world is already framed as a resource available for us, to be made, to be shaped for our ongoing possibilities to express our particular projects, to be whatever we are, as business people, engineers, consultants, academics, teenagers, etc.

SEP

We can only constructively inform if we value the ongoing possibilities of a democratic country in more than name only.

Huffington Post

The discussion group considered the state of science with respect to the disaster response mode to be directly related to pre-disaster resilience and that many of the well-published ideas about resilience also relate to the concept of restorative building back and ongoing development possibilities.

International Journal of Disaster Risk Science

But the BBC understands cross-border discussions are ongoing about the possibility of developing an all-Ireland service.

BBC

For the phenomenologist society and technology co-constitute each other from the very start; they are each other's ongoing condition or possibility for being what they are.

SEP

This flimsiness threatens to alienate the adult mind from the parts of science fiction, fantasy and dream imagery which are really vital: the ongoing sense of possibility, of magic, of the excellent unreal.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "ongoing possibility" to emphasize that a particular potential outcome or situation is not just a fleeting thought but something that remains relevant and needs continued consideration.

Common error

Avoid using "ongoing possibility" when there is near certainty or established fact. It is best suited for situations where the outcome is still uncertain but the potential remains relevant.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ongoing possibility" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "ongoing" modifies the noun "possibility". It describes a potential event or situation that continues to exist or is perpetually relevant. Ludwig's AI confirms that the phrase is correct and usable in English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

30%

News & Media

30%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

10%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "ongoing possibility" is grammatically correct and describes a potential event or situation that remains relevant over time. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in English. While not exceedingly common, it finds use in varied contexts, particularly science and news media. Consider related alternatives such as "continuing potential" or "persistent chance" to refine your message. When using "ongoing possibility", emphasize sustained relevance but avoid overstating certainty.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

continuing potential

Emphasizes the sustained nature of the potential, similar to "ongoing possibility".

persistent chance

Highlights the enduring nature of the chance, suggesting it doesn't easily disappear.

enduring prospect

Focuses on the lasting quality of the prospect, indicating a longer timeframe.

remaining likelihood

Suggests that some likelihood exists and continues to exist.

sustained opportunity

Shifts the focus to an opportunity that is maintained over time.

current potentiality

Emphasizes the present existence of a potential, highlighting its relevance now.

constant risk

Highlights the continuous and unchanging nature of the risk involved.

uninterrupted probability

Emphasizes that the probability is not disrupted or halted.

continuous outlook

Focuses on a sustained perspective or expectation of something.

protracted feasibility

Suggests that the feasibility extends over a considerable duration.

FAQs

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

You can use "ongoing possibility" to refer to something that might happen in the future and continues to be a relevant consideration. For example, "The "ongoing possibility of" a recession is a concern for many investors".

What phrases are similar to "ongoing possibility"?

Alternatives include "continuing potential", "persistent chance", or "enduring prospect", depending on the specific context and nuance you wish to convey.

Is it redundant to say "ongoing possibility"?

While "possibility" inherently implies a future potential, "ongoing" emphasizes the continuous relevance or extended timeframe of that potential. Using both words isn't necessarily redundant but adds emphasis.

What's the difference between "ongoing possibility" and "potential risk"?

"Ongoing possibility" is a more general term that covers any potential outcome, while "potential risk" specifically refers to a negative or harmful outcome that might occur. The former is neutral; the latter is negative.