possibility

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "possibility" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you wish to describe a situation in which something could happen or to refer to a chance that something might happen. For example: "The possibility of a successful outcome is slim," or "There is a possibility that I may have to work late tonight."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"The whole-life tariff is against all principles of international law as it denies any possibility of reform of rehabilitation," says Bhatt Murphy's Simon Creighton, the solicitor representing the prisoners at the European court.

The Guardian

Catherine West, who beat Lynne Featherstone in the Red Wedding of the Lib Dem's election, creates a completely different atmosphere, but it's also one of infinite possibility.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The heat was making her dizzy but she still sounded upbeat at the possibility of glimpsing the president.

The Guardian

To achieve this it is necessary to vote against the possibility of a referendum, and to remove the spectre of leaving the EU from the political horizon.

The Guardian

But as long as there are cases, there is the possibility of spread to a new region, triggering another outbreak.

The Guardian

Other parallels with his England tenure raise that possibility.

The Guardian - Sport

In Spain's case, our adherence to what was then the European Community was the culmination of a yearning by successive generations cut off from the possibility of joining the broader current of peace, democracy and progress that was flowing north of the Pyrenean border.

The Guardian

Several police forces could be investigated over their handling of sexual abuse allegations against Jimmy Savile after the police watchdog confirmed that an inquiry was a possibility and a lawyer representing alleged victims said there were urgent questions to be answered.

The Guardian

Looking ahead, of course there is the possibility that one of Costa or Rémy will be better by the weekend.

The Guardian - Sport

We were caterpillars, greedy worms condemned to toil on earth; the chrysalis was our coffin, but the butterfly's miraculous emergence symbolised the possibility of an afterlife, a chance for our souls to ascend to heaven.

The Guardian - Film

Authorities in Helsinki and Tallinn are looking into the possibility of linking the two cities via an undersea tunnel – and have commissioned a feasibility study, with the help of the EU.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "possibility" to introduce potential future scenarios, especially when discussing planning or risk assessment.

Common error

Avoid using "possibility" when a higher degree of certainty exists; instead, opt for words like "certainty" or "likelihood" to maintain clarity and precision.

Linguistic Context

The noun "possibility" functions as a descriptor for a potential event or outcome. Examples from Ludwig show it used to express a chance or likelihood, aligning with Ludwig AI's confirmation of its correct usage in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The noun "possibility" is a versatile term used to express a chance or potential for something to occur. It is grammatically correct and widely accepted in written English, as affirmed by Ludwig AI. Its frequency is very common, especially in news, business, and scientific contexts. When using "possibility", consider related terms like "potential", ""chance"", and "prospect" to add nuance. Remember to use it judiciously and avoid overuse when higher certainty exists. In essence, "possibility" enables effective communication about future events and hypothetical scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

potential

Emphasizes inherent capacity for development or success.

chance

Highlights the randomness or unpredictability of an event occurring.

prospect

Suggests a future opportunity or likelihood.

likelihood

Focuses on the probability of something happening.

option

Highlights a choice or alternative that is available.

opportunity

Stresses a favorable set of circumstances.

feasibility

Emphasizes the practicality or viability of something.

probability

Refers to a quantifiable measure of how likely something is to occur.

contingency

Points to a future event or circumstance that is possible but not certain.

room for

Indicates the availability or allowance for something to exist or happen.

FAQs

How to use "possibility" in a sentence?

You can use "possibility" to express that something might happen or is not impossible. For example, "There is a "chance"" or "It is within the realm of "possibility"".

What can I say instead of "possibility"?

You can use alternatives like "potential", ""chance"", or "prospect" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "possibility of" or "possibility for"?

"Possibility of" is generally used to describe the chance that something might occur, while "possibility for" refers to the potential for someone or something to achieve something, indicating a potential outcome or "opportunity".

What's the difference between "possibility" and "probability"?

"Possibility" refers to something that could happen, while "probability" quantifies how likely it is to happen. "Probability" assigns a numerical value to the likelihood of an event, while possibility simply states that it is not impossible.