the possibility that

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of a sentence 'the possibility that' is correct and can be used in written English.
It is used to indicate that something may happen in the future. Example: We must consider the possibility that the virus may spread beyond our current geographical area.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"The possibility that NurturePod presents is technically possible now.

Vice

The possibility that non-U.N.

The New York Times

Perhaps the possibility that Mme.

The New York Times

It's the possibility that gives such pleasure.

Independent

But they allowed for the possibility that one could exist.

The New York Times - Arts

The first is the possibility that ownership may be fragmented.

Britannica

Then he faced the possibility that his country would fragment.

The New York Times

"I also want to entertain the possibility that N.Y.U.

The New Yorker

The Pentagon prepared for the possibility that Russia would respond.

The Washington Post

The possibility that they might not doesn't bear thinking about.

The Guardian

Simple: the possibility that they may prevent breast cancer.

The New York Times - Health

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "the possibility that" to introduce a situation or outcome that is not certain but could occur. This phrase is particularly effective in formal writing when presenting potential scenarios or exploring hypotheses.

Common error

Avoid using "the possibility that" when you want to express a high degree of certainty. "Possibility" implies uncertainty. If something is highly likely, use phrases like "the probability that" or "the likelihood that" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the possibility that" functions as a noun phrase that introduces a subordinate clause expressing a potential or contingent situation. Ludwig AI identifies its correct usage in numerous examples, demonstrating its role in framing potential outcomes.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

15%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the possibility that" is a versatile phrase used to introduce potential or contingent situations across various contexts. As highlighted by Ludwig, it functions as a noun phrase introducing a subordinate clause, serving the communicative purpose of exploring uncertainty and potential outcomes. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase adheres to standard English grammar. While it appears most frequently in news and media, as well as scientific writing, its register is generally neutral to formal, making it suitable for diverse professional and academic settings. When using this phrase, be sure to differentiate between possibility and probability. For situations that require a greater degree of certainty, explore alternative phrases such as "the likelihood that" or "the probability that".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the chance that

Replaces "possibility" with "chance", emphasizing the element of randomness or luck.

it is possible that

Changes the structure to a more explicit statement of possibility.

the prospect that

Suggests a future-oriented view, focusing on what might happen.

the likelihood that

Highlights the probability or degree of certainty.

there's a chance that

Uses a more colloquial and less formal tone.

the potential for

Shifts focus from an event to an inherent capacity or capability.

the probability that

Introduces a more formal and statistical measure of likelihood.

the risk that

Emphasizes the negative consequences or danger involved.

the odds are that

Implies a statistical estimation of probability.

the hope that

Conveys a desire or expectation for something to happen.

FAQs

How do I use "the possibility that" in a sentence?

Use "the possibility that" to introduce a potential event or outcome. For example, "We must consider "the possibility that" the project may be delayed."

What are some alternatives to "the possibility that"?

You can use phrases like "the chance that", "the likelihood that", or "the prospect that" to express a similar meaning.

Is it correct to say "there is a possibility that" instead of "the possibility that"?

Yes, both phrases are grammatically correct and convey a similar meaning. "There is a possibility that" is slightly more informal.

What's the difference between "the possibility that" and "the probability that"?

"The possibility that" indicates that something could happen, regardless of how likely it is. "The probability that" indicates a quantifiable measure of how likely something is to happen.