reduce the possibility

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "reduce the possibility" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something may not happen because the risk or chance of it happening has been decreased. For example: "We have taken steps to reduce the possibility of a data breach."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He emphasized that ISI was doing everything possible to reduce the possibility of an attack on India.

The Guardian

The change would reduce the possibility of using the wrong grease, maintenance experts said.

The New York Times

Those who do choose surgery can take some measures to help reduce the possibility of complications.

The New York Times

And don't tell me that wearing uniform would reduce the possibility.

The Guardian - Opinion

Indoors, screens, nets and air conditioning can be used to reduce the possibility of insect bites.

The Guardian

There are bills before Congress intended to reduce the possibility that innocent men and women die in state execution chambers.

The New York Times

You save on petrol, reduce the possibility of your bike being nicked and the coffee at home is considerably cheaper.

The Guardian

They are held on a towel to reduce the possibility of cat dander or fur causing allergic reactions.

The New York Times

For the Pentagon, the great advantage of this was to reduce the possibility of American casualties to the absolute minimum.

The New York Times

To reduce the possibility of an ambush on the convoy, Captain Dabkowski had not told the mukhtar it was coming.

The New York Times

To reduce the possibility of being discovered, bin Laden's Abbottabad refuge did not have a telephone or Internet connection.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming to "reduce the possibility" of an undesirable outcome, clearly define the specific actions or measures you are implementing. Be explicit about how these actions directly contribute to lowering the chance of the event occurring.

Common error

Avoid stating only that you want to "reduce the possibility" of something without providing concrete details. Instead of saying, "We will reduce the possibility of errors," specify how you will achieve this: "We will implement double-checking procedures to reduce the possibility of errors."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "reduce the possibility" functions as an infinitive phrase expressing purpose or intent. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage. It is generally used to describe actions taken to lower the likelihood of a particular event or outcome.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

39%

News & Media

37%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "reduce the possibility" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase, as verified by Ludwig AI, across various contexts, including science, news, and general writing. It serves to express the intent to minimize the likelihood of a particular event, with the formality level adapting to the surrounding vocabulary. To enhance clarity, specify the actions taken to lower the chance of the event occurring and consider synonyms like "decrease the likelihood" or "mitigate the risk" to fine-tune the tone. Avoiding vagueness and providing concrete details will ensure effective communication when aiming to "reduce the possibility" of an undesirable outcome.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lessen the chance

Changes the wording from 'possibility' to 'chance' for a simpler expression.

decrease the likelihood

Substitutes 'reduce' with 'decrease' and 'possibility' with 'likelihood', offering a slightly more technical feel.

minimize the potential

Employs 'minimize' instead of 'reduce' and 'potential' for 'possibility', implying a focus on minimizing negative outcomes.

mitigate the risk

Replaces 'possibility' with 'risk' and 'reduce' with 'mitigate', suggesting a more formal tone and focusing on risk management.

weaken the probability

Suggests an action that makes an event less probable.

curtail the prospect

Uses 'curtail' and 'prospect' for a more sophisticated and formal tone.

diminish the odds

Replaces 'possibility' with the more colloquial 'odds', making the phrase less formal.

lower the incidence

Focuses on reducing the frequency of occurrence of something.

impede the opportunity

Shifts the focus to blocking or hindering an opportunity, rather than lessening a general possibility.

avert the danger

Implies preventing a dangerous situation from happening at all.

FAQs

How can I use "reduce the possibility" in a sentence?

You can use "reduce the possibility" to describe actions taken to lower the chance of an event. For example, "Regular maintenance can "reduce the possibility" of equipment failure".

What phrases are similar to "reduce the possibility"?

Alternatives include "decrease the likelihood", "mitigate the risk", or "lessen the chance", which all convey a similar meaning of minimizing potential occurrences.

Is it better to say "reduce the possibility" or "eliminate the possibility"?

"Reduce the possibility" implies lowering the chance of something, while "eliminate the possibility" suggests completely removing any chance. The choice depends on whether the action can completely prevent the event or just make it less likely.

What's the difference between "reduce the possibility" and "reduce the risk"?

"Reduce the possibility" refers to lowering the chance of something happening. "Reduce the risk" focuses on minimizing the potential harm or negative consequences associated with an event. The phrases are similar but emphasize different aspects: likelihood versus impact.