possibility of something

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "possibility of something" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the potential or likelihood of an event or situation occurring. Example: "There is a possibility of rain tomorrow, so we should bring our umbrellas."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Still, the possibility of something new tantalized theorists, who whipped up nearly 400 possible explanations of the new particle on the arXiv.org online preprint server.

Science Magazine

There must be the possibility of something dramatic happening.

The Guardian

It is designed to maximize the possibility of something good happening rather than to minimize the possibility of something bad happening.

The New York Times - Magazine

It is anxiety over the possibility of something going wrong and denying him his heart's wish.

The New Yorker

You know how we've always talked about the possibility of something going wrong with the bomb.

The New Yorker

An Hollande victory would shake things up, and offer at least the possibility of something better.

The New York Times

Easter, on the other hand, raised the possibility of something entirely different.

Independent

"But they're receiving greater scrutiny in order to eliminate the possibility of something more sinister".

The New York Times

How can discussing the possibility of something being built cost this obscene amount?

The Guardian

"I knew the possibility of something like this could happen," said Capel, a senior forward.

The New York Times - Sports

The worse the times, the greater the need to convey the possibility of something better.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Combine "possibility of something" with quantifying adverbs (e.g. slight, remote, distinct) to more precisely convey the likelihood of the potential event.

Common error

Avoid using "possibility of something" repeatedly without specifying the degree of likelihood. Overuse can make your writing sound vague. Vary your language by using synonyms or providing more specific details about the probability.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "possibility of something" functions as a noun phrase that introduces a potential event, situation, or outcome. It highlights the existence of a chance or likelihood, as seen in Ludwig's examples from diverse sources.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Science

23%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "possibility of something" is a versatile phrase used to introduce potential events or outcomes, suitable for various contexts ranging from news reports to scientific analyses. According to Ludwig, it's grammatically correct and frequently used. While generally neutral in tone, the specific nuance can be adjusted with modifiers and alternative phrases to reflect the desired level of certainty or emphasis. When using this phrase, consider quantifying the likelihood for greater precision. Remember to avoid overuse without providing context or details. By keeping these best practices and common errors in mind, you can effectively use "possibility of something" in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

likelihood of something

Focuses on the probability of an event occurring.

chance of something

Emphasizes the random or unpredictable nature of the potential event.

prospect of something

Highlights the anticipation or expectation of a future event.

potential for something

Stresses the inherent capability or capacity for a specific outcome.

scope for something

Indicates the extent or range within which something can happen.

risk of something

Focuses on the negative or undesirable potential outcome.

opportunity for something

Highlights the favorable or advantageous potential outcome.

hope of something

Expresses a desire or expectation for a positive outcome.

threat of something

Emphasizes a potential danger or harm.

opening for something

Suggests an available but not guaranteed chance for something to occur.

FAQs

How can I use "possibility of something" in a sentence?

You can use "possibility of something" to introduce a potential event or outcome. For example, "There is a "possibility of something" going wrong, so we need to be prepared."

What phrases are similar to "possibility of something"?

Alternatives include "likelihood of something", "chance of something", or "prospect of something", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use "possibility of something" or "chance of something"?

Both phrases are generally interchangeable. "Possibility of something" is slightly more formal, while "chance of something" is more casual. The best choice depends on the context and desired tone.

How can I specify the degree of "possibility of something"?

You can modify the phrase with adverbs such as 'remote', 'slight', 'distinct', or 'high'. For instance, 'There is a remote "possibility of something" going wrong' indicates a low likelihood.