possible that when

USAGE SUMMARY

"possible that when" is a valid phrase that can be used in written English.
It is typically used to introduce a possibility or potential scenario in the future. Here is an example: "It is possible that when we arrive at the airport, our flight will already be delayed due to the storm."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Is it possible that when he searched his soul he found an entertainer?

The New Yorker

And it is possible that when you see the film, there may be two or three of him.

The New York Times

Yet, is it possible that when done right, twinning is more influential, and much more beneficial, than many people realise?

The Guardian

It is entirely possible that when McNulty begins to mutilate the corpse, driving Bunk away, he is really quite drunk.

The Guardian

Is it possible that when we're dead we have different priorities, that we no longer wish to be silent as it were?

The Guardian - Books

It is even possible that when ESS is operating there could be a joint ESS/ISIS proposal process to direct users to both neutron sources.

The Guardian

In the topsy-turvy Republican race, it is perfectly possible that when all the smoke clears Santorum will still be standing.

The Guardian

But it's also possible that when C.E.O.s go on shopping sprees they believe they're doing the best thing for their shareholders.

The New Yorker

GK A It is possible that when a lender looked at your file the information about your brother counted against you.

The Guardian - Money

So it was possible that when he had asked me, "Which Russian novel?," he had not had so solid a platform as I'd thought.

The New Yorker

We are blessed with two fine candidates, but it's entirely possible that when primary season ends on June 3, we will still lack a clear nominee.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "possible that when", consider the degree of certainty you wish to convey. If the outcome is highly probable, consider using stronger phrases like "likely that when" or "probable that when".

Common error

Avoid overuse of "possible that when" in formal or academic writing. While grammatically correct, frequent repetition can make your writing sound less confident and more speculative. Instead, vary your sentence structures and use more direct expressions when the context allows.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "possible that when" functions as a conditional conjunction, introducing a clause that expresses a potential outcome or situation contingent upon a future event or condition. Ludwig provides many examples of this usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "possible that when" is a versatile phrase used to express conditional possibilities, frequently appearing in both news and scientific contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage. While perfectly acceptable, varying your sentence structure and using more direct alternatives in formal writing can enhance the strength and clarity of your message. Remember to use this phrase when expressing uncertainty about future events depending on certain conditions. Be aware that while it may be replaced by alternatives like "likely that when" or "conceivable that when" there are nuances between all of them that might change the meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it's conceivable that when

Replaces "possible" with "conceivable", implying a degree of imaginability or thinkability.

it's plausible that when

Substitutes "possible" with "plausible", suggesting a higher degree of believability or likelihood.

it's likely that when

Uses "likely" instead of "possible", indicating a greater probability.

it's probable that when

Replaces "possible" with "probable", conveying a strong expectation of occurrence.

there's a chance that when

Uses "there's a chance" to introduce the possibility, softening the statement.

it could be that when

Replaces "is possible" with "could be", conveying a sense of uncertainty.

it may be that when

Substitutes "possible" with "may be", indicating a weaker possibility.

it's not unlikely that when

Uses a double negative to express a moderate degree of possibility.

it stands to reason that when

Suggests that the outcome is logical or expected based on certain premises.

one can anticipate that when

Replaces the expression of possibility with a more direct statement of anticipation.

FAQs

How can I use "possible that when" in a sentence?

The phrase "possible that when" is used to introduce a potential scenario contingent on a future event. For instance, "It's possible that when the new regulations are implemented, small businesses will struggle."

What are some alternatives to "possible that when"?

Alternatives include "likely that when", "probable that when", or "conceivable that when", depending on the degree of certainty you want to convey.

Is it more formal to say "it is possible that when" or "it's possible that when"?

"It is possible that when" is slightly more formal than "it's possible that when", but both are generally acceptable in most writing contexts. The contracted form is more common in spoken English and informal writing.

What's the difference between "possible that when" and "if it's possible that"?

"Possible that when" introduces a conditional possibility tied to a specific time or event, while "if it's possible that" presents a more general hypothetical situation. For example, "It's possible that when the study concludes, we'll have new data" versus "If it's possible that the medication has side effects, we need to inform the patient."