possible happening

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "possible happening" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to an event or occurrence that may take place in the future. Example: "We need to consider every possible happening that could affect the outcome of the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

When Anthony and I were going through our respective tortured divorces, we had a daily mantra, which went like this: "Just imagine the worst thing possible happening, and it will happen".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

He added, "So many times in Northern Ireland the possible happened when things seemed most impossible".

The New York Times

Unless of course, theatre directors would like their ideal economy to be the one in which as little as possible happens.

The Economist

LEST the United States players get too giddy before heading to the World Cup on Thursday, they had the best thing possible happen to them yesterday: they ran into the ninth-rated soccer team in the world.

The New York Times - Sports

Though not everything possible happens (and, therefore not everything that happens is necessary), everything that happens has a sufficient reason in an antecedent state of the world.

SEP

Would they have grasped the opportunity to put the environment first or would they have spun the issue so that as little as possible happened for as long as possible?

Forbes

There are two things that could possible happen when the conflict is finished.

Huffington Post

Then the worst thing possible happened: the veins around his heart started collapsing.

Huffington Post

Halfway up the sidewalk, the "worst thing possible" happened: he tripped and fell.

Huffington Post

There are times when it seems possible to stretch an instant like an overstuffed garbage bag, and more action than seems possible happens at once.

Huffington Post

I encourage all Americans, and all businesses, to join the movement, help bring "community" back to life, and make everyone's possible happen.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "possible happening", ensure the context clearly indicates the uncertainty or potential nature of the event. For instance, "We must prepare for every possible happening during the crisis."

Common error

Avoid using "possible happening" when the event is highly likely or already occurring. Instead of saying "The possible happening is affecting the market", use "The event is affecting the market" to convey greater certainty.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "possible happening" functions as a noun phrase, where "possible" modifies the noun "happening". It describes an event or occurrence that has the potential to take place. Ludwig indicates that this phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

30%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "possible happening" is a grammatically correct and usable expression that refers to an event or occurrence that might take place. According to Ludwig, it serves to express uncertainty or contingency. While not extremely frequent, it appears in various reputable sources, including news articles, scientific publications, and formal business documents. The phrase is suitable for neutral contexts. Consider alternatives like "potential occurrence" or "likely event" depending on the desired nuance. When using "possible happening", ensure you're not overstating certainty about an event that is already highly probable or occurring.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

potential occurrence

Replaces "happening" with "occurrence", indicating an event that may take place.

likely event

Substitutes "possible" with "likely", suggesting a higher probability of the event occurring.

conceivable event

Emphasizes the imaginability or feasibility of the event.

plausible development

Uses "plausible" and "development" to suggest a realistic unfolding of events.

potential situation

Replaces "happening" with "situation", broadening the scope to include circumstances.

feasible occurrence

Highlights the practicality and achievability of the event.

imaginable scenario

Focuses on the ability to envision the event taking place.

eventuality

A more concise term for a possible future event or result.

something that could happen

Expands the phrase to explicitly state the potential for an event to occur.

a prospect

Implies a potential future event or opportunity.

FAQs

How can I use "possible happening" in a sentence?

You can use "possible happening" to refer to something that might occur. For example, "We need to consider every "possible happening" that could affect the outcome of the project."

What are some alternatives to "possible happening"?

Some alternatives include "potential occurrence", "likely event", or "conceivable event", depending on the nuance you wish to convey.

Is "possible happening" grammatically correct?

Yes, "possible happening" is grammatically correct, though it might sound slightly less formal than alternatives like "potential event".

What is the difference between "possible happening" and "potential outcome"?

"Possible happening" generally refers to an event that might occur, while "potential outcome" refers to a result that might arise from a particular situation or action. The terms are similar but focus on different aspects: event versus result.