traditionally thought possible

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "traditionally thought possible" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing beliefs or assumptions that have been held over time regarding the feasibility of something. Example: "Many theories in science were traditionally thought possible until new evidence emerged to challenge them."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

The Sims Online: This PC-only simulated suburbia is looking like 2003s runaway hit and is ensnaring more female gamers than traditionally thought possible.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Traditionally games and game developers have been at the forefront of technology, often pushing the boundaries of what was thought possible.

TechCrunch

No cure was thought possible.

The Guardian - Books

you would have thought possible.

The New York Times

Something I never thought possible.

The New Yorker

Economists traditionally thought such intervention had limited effect.

The Economist

It is traditionally thought that this is achieved thanks to a particular connectivity between the neurons.

The Journal of Mathematical Neuroscience

Cattle are traditionally thought to show little or no faeces avoidance behaviour.

Applied Animal Behaviour Science

This implies a more extensive Late Weichselian ice sheet in Northeast Greenland than traditionally thought.

Marine Geology

Nazareth is traditionally thought to be where Jesus grew up.

Huffington Post

This isn't how we have traditionally thought about college.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "traditionally thought possible", ensure that you provide context about how current understanding differs from this traditional view. This creates a stronger contrast and clarifies the evolution of knowledge.

Common error

Avoid using "traditionally thought possible" to describe fringe beliefs or ideas that never had widespread acceptance. Ensure the "traditional" view was indeed widely held.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "traditionally thought possible" functions as a qualifier or descriptor, indicating a perspective or belief about feasibility held in the past. As Ludwig AI shows, it often sets up a contrast with present-day understanding.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

30%

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "traditionally thought possible" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase that highlights the evolution of beliefs or capabilities over time. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase sets up a contrast between past and present understanding. It's important to use this phrase when referring to views that were genuinely held widely and to provide context about the current understanding. Alternative phrases such as "previously believed feasible" or "formerly deemed achievable" can be used for variety. This phrase is most commonly found in news and science contexts, reflecting a neutral register.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

previously believed feasible

Focuses on prior belief about feasibility, using synonyms for "thought" and "possible".

formerly deemed achievable

Replaces "thought" and "possible" with "deemed" and "achievable" respectively, emphasizing past perceptions of attainability.

historically considered viable

Uses "historically" to highlight the traditional aspect and replaces "thought possible" with "considered viable".

conventionally regarded as plausible

Emphasizes the traditional aspect using "conventionally" and replaces "thought possible" with "regarded as plausible".

what was once deemed attainable

Focuses on the change in perception, highlighting what was previously considered attainable.

assumed to be within the realm of possibility

Replaces the directness of "thought possible" with a more descriptive phrase focusing on assumptions and possibilities.

presumed to be an option

Shifts the focus to a presumption that something was an option, instead of directly stating it was thought possible.

once considered a likely outcome

Highlights that something was considered a likely outcome in the past.

what people used to see as feasible

Uses a more colloquial style to express what was formerly considered feasible.

formerly understood as realistic

Emphasizes past understanding of realism concerning something.

FAQs

What does "traditionally thought possible" mean?

It refers to ideas, beliefs, or expectations about what was feasible or achievable in the past, often contrasting with current understanding or capabilities.

How can I use "traditionally thought possible" in a sentence?

You might say, "Cures for many diseases were not "thought possible" a century ago, but advances in medicine have changed that."

What are some alternatives to "traditionally thought possible"?

Consider using phrases like "previously believed feasible", "formerly deemed achievable", or "historically considered viable" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it always necessary to contrast "traditionally thought possible" with current understanding?

While not always required, contrasting it with current understanding often strengthens the phrase's impact by highlighting the evolution of knowledge or capabilities.