take the possibility

USAGE SUMMARY

'take the possibility' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you mean to take advantage of or consider a possibility. For example: "We should take the possibility of expanding our business into a new market seriously."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

37 human-written examples

Solutions should take the possibility of escalation into account, he said.

Princeton University

On Thursday, North Korea seemed to take the possibility of a meeting off the table.

The New York Times

When did you start to take the possibility of conversion disorder or mass hysteria seriously?

The New York Times

"Let's take the possibility that they're not doing it right -- don't we have the wherewithal to support people who are trying to do the right thing?" he asked.

The New York Times

She urged the government and the EU to take the possibility of a no-deal Brexit off the table or face "catastrophe".

The Guardian

Byrnes said Iggy had good reason to take the possibility of death that night so seriously as to escape by pretending to be dying.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

23 human-written examples

The incoming launch of virtual reality at a consumer level will take the possibilities of selling experience to another level.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

A more difficult question concerns their expected yields, taking the possibility of default into account.

Stanford University

Study shows how seriously investors took the possibility of a democratic revolution during Egypt's Arab Spring.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

But epidemiologist Roy Anderson at Imperial College London says researchers are taking the possibility seriously.

Nature

The Aipac crowd, though, wanted to make sure that members were taking the possibility seriously.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "take the possibility" to emphasize a proactive approach to dealing with potential outcomes, rather than passively acknowledging them. For example, "We must take the possibility of a market downturn seriously and develop a contingency plan."

Common error

A common mistake is failing to fully analyze all potential ramifications when "take the possibility" is used in decision-making. Ensure that you've thoroughly vetted potential scenarios to avoid overlooking unexpected consequences.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "take the possibility" functions as a verb phrase that introduces the consideration, acknowledgement, or anticipation of a potential event, outcome, or opportunity. It often precedes a clause explaining what possibility is being addressed, which is consistent with the examples provided by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Science

27%

Academia

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "take the possibility" is a grammatically correct and common expression used across various contexts to emphasize considering a potential outcome or opportunity. Ludwig AI confirms that its use is valid and widespread. The phrase is versatile, suitable for both neutral and professional communications, and is frequently found in News & Media and Science contexts. It is important to use this phrase to encourage thorough consideration of potential scenarios when making decisions or planning strategies. Remember to analyze all potential ramifications to avoid overlooking unexpected consequences. Similar alternatives include "consider the potential" and "explore the option", offering nuanced ways to convey the same core idea.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

consider the potential

Focuses on the act of thinking about the potential of something.

acknowledge the potential

Stresses recognizing the existence of a possible outcome or opportunity.

explore the option

Emphasizes investigating a specific choice or alternative.

account for the risk

Emphasizes preparing for or mitigating a potential danger.

assess the likelihood

Highlights the evaluation of the probability of an event.

seize the opportunity

Focuses on promptly taking advantage of a favorable circumstance.

contemplate the prospect

Suggests a more thoughtful and deliberate consideration of a future event.

factor in the chance

Highlights the inclusion of a chance event during evaluation of a decision.

entertain the idea

Implies considering an idea or suggestion, even if not fully committed.

realize the prospect

Focuses on recognizing and accepting the reality of a future event.

FAQs

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

You can use "take the possibility" to express that something should be considered or accounted for. For example, "We need to take the possibility of delays into account when planning the project."

What does it mean to "take the possibility" of something?

To "take the possibility" of something means to consider it seriously, prepare for it, or include it in your calculations or plans. It implies acknowledging and addressing a potential outcome, whether positive or negative.

Which is a better alternative: "consider the potential" or "take the possibility"?

"Consider the potential" and "take the possibility" are very similar, but the former focuses more on evaluating something's potential, whereas the latter emphasizes acknowledging and acting upon a possible outcome. The better choice depends on the specific context.

When should I use "explore the option" instead of "take the possibility"?

Use "explore the option" when you are actively investigating different choices and their outcomes. Use "take the possibility" when you want to emphasize the inclusion of something in the assessment of a decision.