possibility is that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "possibility is that" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing potential outcomes or scenarios in a given context. Example: "The possibility is that we may need to adjust our plans based on the weather forecast."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

The second possibility is that prize juries are sexist.

The Guardian - Books

One possibility is that freedom has a marketing problem.

The New York Times

"The other possibility is that Wen Jiabao has two faces.

The New York Times

One possibility is that brain areas are already impaired.

The New York Times - Health

Since and, the only possibility is that, implying that,.

Fixed Point Theory and Applications

Therefore the only possibility is that is of infinite order.

Advances in Difference Equations

Another possibility is that contamination occurs at processing plants.

Science Magazine

An alternative possibility is that Shekau is not dead.

Huffington Post

Another possibility is that Prince ordered the drugs himself online.

Los Angeles Times

A second possibility is that NADH depletion explains our findings.

Plosone

One possibility is that cohesin is removed in this region.

Genetics

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When presenting multiple possibilities, use "possibility is that" to introduce each one clearly. This helps structure your argument or explanation effectively.

Common error

Avoid starting multiple consecutive sentences with "possibility is that". Vary your sentence structure by using alternatives like "another potential outcome is" or "alternatively" to keep your writing engaging.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "possibility is that" functions as an introductory clause that presents a potential explanation, outcome, or scenario. It is typically followed by a clause that elaborates on the specific possibility. According to Ludwig, this phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

37%

News & Media

52%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "possibility is that" serves as a versatile tool for introducing potential scenarios or explanations across diverse contexts. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically correct and widely used. While it enjoys common usage in both scientific and news media, as per Ludwig's examples, writers should avoid overuse and vary sentence structure for optimal clarity and engagement. It is important to remember that ""possibility is that"" implies uncertainty rather than certainty.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it's possible that

Uses a more direct and concise construction.

it is conceivable that

Suggests something is imaginable or believable.

there's a chance that

Emphasizes the element of chance or probability.

one potential outcome is

Focuses on a specific result among several.

a likely scenario is

Highlights the plausibility of a particular event.

it could be the case that

Presents a hypothetical situation.

the prospect exists that

Implies a future expectation or possibility.

it is within the realm of possibility that

Emphasizes the theoretical or abstract nature of the likelihood.

a plausible explanation is that

Presents a reason or cause that is believable.

one cannot rule out the possibility that

Indicates that an event or outcome, however unlikely, should not be disregarded.

FAQs

How can I use "possibility is that" in a sentence?

The phrase "possibility is that" is used to introduce a potential explanation or outcome. For example, "One "possibility is that" the experiment was flawed."

What are some alternatives to "possibility is that"?

You can use alternatives such as "it is possible that", "it could be that", or "there is a chance that" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "the possibility is that" or "a possibility is that"?

Both are grammatically correct, but "the "possibility is that"" is generally used when referring to a specific, already mentioned possibility. "A "possibility is that"" introduces one of several potential scenarios.

How does "possibility is that" differ from "likelihood is that"?

"Possibility is that" simply suggests something could happen, while "likelihood is that" implies it is probable or expected to happen.