possibility of embarrassing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "possibility of embarrassing" is not correct in standard written English.
It should be rephrased for clarity, such as "possibility of embarrassment." Example: "There is a possibility of embarrassment if the presentation goes poorly."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

In going for a settlement rather than a trial, Mr Spitzer has spared the insurer the uncertainty of facing a jury and the possibility of embarrassing testimony.

The Economist

Within these, there is a tiny subsection I like to call the have-they-absolutely-lost-their-mind shows which combine the standard loss of dignity with skimpy clothing and the possibility of embarrassing injury.

Independent

The difference is that they talk hopefully about the possibility of embarrassing the Republicans with the loss of a seat and even the chances of gaining control of the Senate.

The New York Times

It could have gone either way for Ed Balls this year, but once the Labour leadership election has ascended to its expected conclusion, and the former chancellor judges that the possibility of embarrassing his wife has receded, I strongly urge Balls to go for sequins rather than ermine.

The Guardian - Opinion

A length limit forces you to get straight to the point and eliminates the possibility of embarrassing yourself by using adjectives like "pulsing," which makes your pussy or dick sound like the still-beating heart of a butchered mammal.

Vice

Be aware that by deciding to make that video that you are risking the possibility of embarrassing or humiliating yourself or anybody else that appears in the video.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

Plus weather, parking, spending money, constant and pulsing possibilities of embarrassing yourself.

Vice

Privacy advocates have also raised concerns, noting that storing such videos is open to potential abuse, with the possibility of potentially embarrassing encounters winding up on the Internet.

Huffington Post

Patients experiencing side effects of over-eager doctors, of embarrassing diagnostic procedures or limited therapeutic possibilities might criticize the CGA later resulting in decreasing patient consent.

BMC Geriatrics

Kind of embarrassing.

The New Yorker

It was kind of embarrassing.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for clarity and grammatical correctness, prefer using the phrase "possibility of embarrassment" over "possibility of embarrassing". It's more precise and widely accepted.

Common error

Avoid using "embarrassing" as a substitute for the noun "embarrassment" in phrases like this. While understandable in informal speech, it's not grammatically accurate. Always use "possibility of "embarrassment"".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "possibility of embarrassing" functions as a prepositional phrase, where "possibility" acts as a noun and "of embarrassing" modifies it. It refers to the potential for something to cause embarrassment. However, Ludwig AI identifies that the construction is not considered correct in standard written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

33%

Science

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "possibility of embarrassing" appears in various sources, Ludwig AI indicates it is not considered grammatically correct in standard written English. It's more accurate and widely accepted to use "possibility of embarrassment" instead. The phrase is used to express a potential outcome or consequence related to causing embarrassment. While its usage is neutral in register, it's better to opt for grammatically sound alternatives, especially in formal writing, as better alternatives such as "chance of embarrassment" or "risk of embarrassment".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

chance of causing embarrassment

Replaces "possibility" with "chance" and uses "causing" instead of "embarrassing" to achieve similar meaning.

risk of embarrassment

Substitutes "possibility" with "risk", focusing on the potential negative outcome of embarrassment.

likelihood of embarrassment

Replaces "possibility" with "likelihood", indicating the probability of an embarrassing situation.

potential for embarrassment

Uses "potential" instead of "possibility", highlighting the inherent capacity for embarrassment.

prospect of causing embarrassment

Substitutes "possibility" with "prospect", focusing on the anticipation of an embarrassing situation.

threat of embarrassment

Replaces "possibility" with "threat", emphasizing the potential harm or negativity associated with embarrassment.

danger of embarrassing situation

Emphasizes a dangerous situation that might lead to someone feeling embarrassed.

occasion for embarrassment

Highlights a particular event as a trigger or source of potential embarrassment.

source of potential embarrassment

Identifies the origin or cause that might lead to an embarrassing situation.

aspect that may embarrass

Focuses on a specific characteristic or facet of something that could potentially cause embarrassment.

FAQs

Is "possibility of embarrassing" grammatically correct?

According to Ludwig AI, the phrase "possibility of embarrassing" is not considered standard English. A more grammatically sound alternative is "possibility of embarrassment".

What's a better way to phrase "possibility of embarrassing" in formal writing?

In formal contexts, it's better to use "possibility of embarrassment". This phrasing is more accurate and avoids any potential grammatical ambiguity.

When can I use "possibility of embarrassing"?

While not strictly correct, "possibility of embarrassing" might be understood in very informal contexts. However, it's generally better to opt for more precise and grammatically accepted alternatives like "chance of embarrassment" or "risk of embarrassment".

What's the difference between "possibility of embarrassing" and "possibility of embarrassment"?

"Possibility of embarrassing" uses the present participle form of the verb "embarrass", which isn't the correct noun form. "Possibility of embarrassment" correctly uses the noun "embarrassment", making it grammatically preferable.