sheer possibility of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sheer possibility of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express the idea that something is possible in a very strong or absolute sense. Example: "The sheer possibility of discovering a new planet has always fascinated astronomers."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

(Just look at Mount Greenwood) We are scared by the falsity of Black on Black crime, but horrified by the sheer possibility of Black on White crime, no matter how minute the chance.

Huffington Post

Caring threatened work, either the quality of it or the sheer possibility of keeping their job.

BMC Health Services Research

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

What's fascinating is that it isn't angsty and downbeat, but full of a sweaty, sweary joy at the sheer possibilities of the world, and what it means to be 16 and know that they are in your grasp.

The Guardian

Go is viewed as one of the ultimate tests for an AI given the sheer possibilities on hand.

TechCrunch

Wheatley's is a poetry of displacement, uncertainty and sheer possibility; jumping from place to place, idea to idea, the real to the imagined.

The Guardian - Books

Instead picture the sheer possibility the JWST offers us - a look into worlds, galaxies, and infinities hundreds of millions of miles away.

Huffington Post

He was also fascinated with the sheer sonic possibilities of his songs.

The New York Times - Arts

It is important to see that this is equivalent to ruling out, by sheer definition, the possibility of heterogeneously formulated strict laws.

SEP

And then, like him, they hit their 20's or 30's and found that while they could still do those things, it was with the possibility of sheer terror always around the corner.

The New York Times

But this sheer idea of having this possibility of an EAD is what drove me.

Huffington Post

From Danik Abishev jumping in a one-armed handstand from pole to pole to pole, to the manic speed and skills of Hilton Denis' tap-dancing, it's a ceaseless stream of the sheer power and possibilities of the human body.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "sheer possibility of" when you want to emphasize the magnitude or intensity of a potential outcome or event. It's suitable for situations where the potential is striking or significant.

Common error

Avoid overuse of "sheer" in your writing. While "sheer possibility of" can be effective, relying too heavily on "sheer" can make your writing sound repetitive and less impactful. Consider alternative intensifiers like "immense" or "tremendous" to add variety.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sheer possibility of" functions as a noun phrase, where "sheer" acts as an intensifier, emphasizing the magnitude or extent of the possibility. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "sheer possibility of" is a grammatically correct phrase used to emphasize the magnitude or significance of a potential outcome. As confirmed by Ludwig, the phrase appears mainly in News & Media, Science, and Encyclopedias, indicating a neutral to formal register. While the phrase is not exceedingly common, its use can add impact when highlighting striking or notable potential. Be mindful of overusing "sheer" to maintain writing clarity and vary word choice when appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

simple possibility of

Emphasizes the basic existence of a chance, without implying strength or magnitude.

enormous possibility of

Highlights the large scale or impact of the potential occurrence.

huge possibility of

Similar to 'enormous possibility of', but may also indicate a high probability.

sheer potential of

Shifts focus from the chance of something happening to the inherent capability or unrealized capacity.

absolute possibility of

Implies a complete or unrestricted chance, where no factors impede its potential realization.

great possibility of

Indicates a significant or noteworthy chance, often associated with desirable outcomes.

immense possibility of

Similar to "enormous possibility of", but can emphasize the scale and potential impact.

considerable possibility of

Suggests a noticeably large chance.

tremendous possibility of

Highlights an exceptionally large chance or prospect.

sheer chance of

Focuses purely on the element of luck or randomness.

FAQs

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

Use "sheer possibility of" when emphasizing the significance of a potential outcome. For example: "The "sheer possibility of" discovering a cure motivates researchers."

What can I say instead of "sheer possibility of"?

You can use alternatives like "immense potential for", "tremendous potential for", or "significant chance of depending on the context".

Is it redundant to say "sheer possibility of"?

While "sheer" emphasizes magnitude, "possibility" indicates potential. Used together, the phrase stresses the notable scale of something that could occur. However, context is key, and overuse can dilute its impact. Consider rephrasing for brevity.

What is the difference between "sheer possibility of" and "remote possibility of"?

"Sheer possibility of" emphasizes the magnitude of what could happen, regardless of likelihood. "Remote possibility of", on the other hand, highlights the unlikeliness of an event, suggesting it's improbable.