reject the possibility

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "reject the possibility" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing a refusal to accept or consider a certain option or outcome. Example: "After careful consideration, we decided to reject the possibility of expanding our operations this year."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"There might be other comparable faults, (and) we believe it's not possible to categorically reject the possibility of further quakes".

BBC

"There might be other comparable faults, (and) we believe it's not possible to categorically reject the possibility of further quakes". Such events might well be felt at the surface but are extremely unlikely to be significant, he said.

BBC

Most analysts reject the possibility of resignation.

The New York Times

They categorically reject the possibility of a peaceful path.

The New Yorker

"And statistically we couldn't even reject the possibility that it's zero percent," she said.

Stanford University

"We cannot reject the possibility of anything yet," Mr. Saleh said.

The New York Times

They are often uncertain whether God exists, but they don't reject the possibility.

The Guardian - Opinion

But the Obama administration appeared to reject the possibility of an expanded U.S. military role in the near future.

The Washington Post

The longer developing countries reject the possibility of binding cuts, the more they threaten the climate change deal they need.

The Guardian - Opinion

However, in the absence of feathers, it's hard to reject the possibility that they might have been there.

The Guardian

The New Democracy leader, Antonis Samaras, on Sunday appeared to reject the possibility of a coalition with the Socialists.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "reject the possibility" to firmly express that a particular outcome or option is not being considered or accepted, often due to specific evidence or reasoning. It indicates a conclusive decision against something.

Common error

Avoid using "reject the possibility" when there is still a slight chance or uncertainty involved. If the situation is not completely conclusive, consider using softer language like "unlikely" or "improbable" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "reject the possibility" functions as a verb phrase used to express the act of dismissing or refusing to accept a potential outcome, idea, or option. Ludwig AI's analysis confirms this usage through numerous examples across various domains, indicating its active role in conveying negation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

38%

News & Media

35%

Academia

27%

Less common in

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "reject the possibility" is a versatile and commonly used expression for dismissing a potential outcome or idea. Grammatically correct and widely accepted, as confirmed by Ludwig AI, it appears frequently in diverse contexts such as science, news, and academia. While straightforward in its meaning, writers should be mindful of overstating certainty and consider softer language when complete dismissal isn't justified. Alternatives like "dismiss the option" or "rule out the chance" offer nuanced options for similar expressions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

dismiss the option

Focuses on discarding a choice from consideration.

discount the prospect

Emphasizes lowering the perceived likelihood of something happening.

rule out the chance

Indicates that a particular event is no longer considered a viable option.

exclude the likelihood

Suggests that something is not probable or feasible.

renounce the potential

Implies a formal rejection of an opportunity or capability.

invalidate the assumption

Focuses on proving a premise to be untrue or unfounded.

repudiate the idea

Signifies a strong and public rejection of a concept.

negate the probability

Indicates that something is statistically unlikely to occur.

disavow the belief

Suggests a denial of holding a particular conviction.

abandon the expectation

Implies giving up on an anticipated outcome.

FAQs

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

The phrase "reject the possibility" is used to express a firm decision not to consider a particular outcome or option. For example, "The committee decided to "reject the possibility" of further negotiations."

What are some alternatives to "reject the possibility"?

You can use alternatives like "dismiss the option", "rule out the chance", or "exclude the likelihood" depending on the specific context.

When is it appropriate to use "reject the possibility"?

Use "reject the possibility" when you have sufficient evidence or reasoning to confidently dismiss a particular outcome. It's best used when there's a clear basis for not considering something further.

Is "reject the possibility" a formal or informal phrase?

"Reject the possibility" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. It can be used in academic papers, news articles, and everyday conversations without sounding out of place.