suggest the possibility

USAGE SUMMARY

'suggest the possibility' is correct and usable in written English.
It is often used when raising an idea or putting forward a suggestion. For example, "This evidence suggests the possibility that there may be other forms of life in our solar system."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

How can you possibly suggest the possibility of any kind of democratic process in Ukraine in 2014?

Vice

That would suggest the possibility of a torn ligament.

The New York Times - Sports

I would suggest the possibility of anti-Semitism in the decline of Shapiro's reputation.

The New York Times - Books

Other scientists suggest the possibility of processes that might shoot off ice particles without melting temperatures.

The New York Times

No tenants have been chosen, though large multilevel spaces suggest the possibility of mini-department stores.

The New York Times

Trump's known business dealings suggest the possibility of a quid pro quo with Russian interests.

The New Yorker

But he does suggest the possibility of more opera: an emphasis both to his taste and to Mr. Eschenbach's.

The New York Times - Arts

Any trusted source – a book, friend, TV personality – can suggest the possibility of abuse.

The Guardian

These observations suggest the possibility of uplift in this area.

Earth, Planets and Space

These results suggest the possibility and feasibility of production of betalain by P. novae-zelandiae fermentation.

AMB Express

The results further suggest the possibility of increased anticancer activity with increasing the loading percentage.

Nanoscale Research Letters

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Employ "suggest the possibility" to introduce potential outcomes or interpretations, fostering further exploration and discussion.

Common error

Avoid presenting a suggestion as a certainty. Using phrases like "prove the possibility" or "confirm the possibility" when the intention is only to suggest can mislead the reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "suggest the possibility" functions primarily as a hedge or tentative assertion. It introduces an idea or potential outcome without stating it as a certainty. Ludwig examples demonstrate its use in academic and scientific contexts, often to propose hypotheses or interpretations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

55%

News & Media

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "suggest the possibility" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase for introducing potential ideas or outcomes without asserting them as definitive facts. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and widespread applicability across various contexts. Predominantly found in science, news, and formal business settings, the phrase serves to propose, encourage further exploration, and maintain a neutral to formal tone. Alternatives like "imply the potential" or "indicate a chance" offer subtle variations in nuance. When employing this phrase, ensure it's supported by context and avoid overstating the suggestion as a certainty.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

imply the potential

Replaces "suggest" with "imply" and "possibility" with "potential", slightly weakening the directness of the suggestion.

indicate a chance

Substitutes "suggest" with "indicate" and rephrases "possibility" as "a chance", offering a less formal tone.

hint at the prospect

Uses "hint at" instead of "suggest", conveying a more subtle and indirect suggestion, while "prospect" replaces "possibility".

raise the likelihood

Emphasizes the probability aspect by using "raise the likelihood" instead of directly suggesting a possibility.

point to the feasibility

Focuses on whether something is realistically achievable, replacing "possibility" with "feasibility".

allude to a potentiality

Replaces "suggest" with "allude to" and "possibility" with "potentiality", increasing the formality of the phrase.

offer a glimmer of hope

Uses metaphorical language to suggest a small or faint possibility, implying optimism.

present a hypothetical

Shifts the focus to a theoretical scenario, replacing the direct suggestion of possibility with the introduction of a "hypothetical".

float the idea

Replaces "suggest" with "float", indicating a tentative or exploratory introduction of an idea.

posit the option

Introduces a more formal tone using "posit" instead of "suggest", emphasizing the proposal of an option.

FAQs

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

Use "suggest the possibility" to introduce a potential outcome or explanation that is not yet certain. For example, "The data "suggest the possibility" of a new treatment for the disease".

What are some alternatives to "suggest the possibility"?

You can use alternatives like "imply the potential", "indicate a chance", or "hint at the prospect" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "suggests the possibility" or "suggest the possibility"?

The correct form depends on the subject. Use "suggests the possibility" with singular subjects (e.g., "The evidence suggests the possibility"). Use "suggest the possibility" with plural subjects (e.g., "These findings suggest the possibility").

When is it appropriate to use "suggest the possibility" in writing?

It's appropriate when you want to introduce a potential explanation, outcome, or idea without stating it as a definite fact. This is useful in research, speculative discussions, and when presenting preliminary findings.