uncertain possibility

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "uncertain possibility" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to something that might happen, but is unlikely or unknown. For example, "The outcome of the election is still an uncertain possibility."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Mr. Putin's comments against intervention left open the uncertain possibility that Russia might persuade Mr. Assad to step down.

The New York Times

But many Alabamans aren't waiting for things to get worse or for the uncertain possibility of judicial relief or legislative retreat.

The New York Times

And so it came about that Gore and Palmer, an unlikely duo, stood at a podium to announce the certain repeal of Australia's carbon pricing scheme and the very uncertain possibility that an emissions trading scheme would be reintroduced sometime in the future.

The Guardian

Or that a future President Hillary Clinton renominates him ― which is an uncertain possibility at this point.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

In the broken cityscape of Kabul, Afghanistan, amid the dust and rubble of war, Westerners and Afghans adjust to the uncertain possibilities of peace.

Stanford University

It can then be deduced that the individual has a utility function, which measures the value to him of each course of action when each of the uncertain possibilities is the true one, and a "subjective probability distribution," which expresses quantitatively his beliefs about the uncertain situations.

Encyclopedia Britannica

He writes about a gay world of uncertain possibilities and tenuous connections, 'where happiness can depend on the glance of a stranger, caught and held.' He is, as Stephen Pickles notes in a more general context, 'fascinated by what's over the wall, a secret garden thing'.

The Guardian - Books

When you look at what the rises and falls of fossil fuel operations have meant for individuals, communities and whole cities in the past century, it's easy to understand the tendency to dismiss or minimize "uncertain" possibilities that might require deliberately unraveling those dynamics.

Duke University

The source of antimicrobial drug resistant organisms in war-associated injuries remains uncertain; possibilities include nosocomial transmission (5 ), particularly through prior contact with severely compromised health systems (6 ).

Emerging Infectious Diseases

The origin of Flossy is uncertain; one possibility is it developed from a system in the eastern Pacific, and the other is from a disturbance moving through the Caribbean.

Wikipedia

Although the interpretation of this association remains uncertain, the possibility of a detrimental effect of air pollution on the prognosis of SARS patients deserves further investigation.

Environmental Health: A Global Access Science Source

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "uncertain possibility", provide context to clarify the degree of uncertainty. For example, specify the factors contributing to the uncertainty or compare it to other possibilities.

Common error

Avoid using "uncertain possibility" when a more definitive phrase is appropriate. Ensure the situation truly involves a possibility that is also uncertain, rather than a known outcome or a highly improbable event.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "uncertain possibility" functions as a noun phrase, where the adjective "uncertain" modifies the noun "possibility". It describes a potential event or outcome that is not assured and carries an element of doubt.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Academia

31%

Science

31%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "uncertain possibility" is a grammatically correct and usable term, as affirmed by Ludwig. It serves to describe an event or outcome that might occur but lacks assurance. Although not very common, its usage spans various fields, including news, academics, and science. When using this phrase, provide sufficient context and avoid overstating the probability. For related expressions, consider "remote chance", "slim prospect", or "tenuous hope" to convey different nuances of uncertainty.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

remote chance

Emphasizes the unlikelihood of the possibility.

slim prospect

Highlights the minimal expectation of the event occurring.

tenuous hope

Suggests a weak and fragile expectation.

dubious prospect

Implies skepticism about the likelihood.

questionable chance

Indicates uncertainty and doubt regarding the possibility.

improbable scenario

Highlights the unlikelihood of the situation unfolding.

unlikely outcome

Focuses on the low probability of a specific result.

contingent prospect

Indicates that the prospect depends on unpredictable factors.

speculative venture

Suggests that the possibility relies heavily on conjecture.

risky bet

Emphasizes the high level of risk associated with the possibility.

FAQs

How can I use "uncertain possibility" in a sentence?

You can use "uncertain possibility" to describe an event that might happen but is not guaranteed, such as, "Despite the challenges, there remains an "uncertain possibility" that the project will succeed".

What are some alternatives to "uncertain possibility"?

Alternatives include "remote chance", "slim prospect", or "tenuous hope", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is "uncertain possibility" redundant?

While "possibility" inherently implies some uncertainty, "uncertain possibility" emphasizes the lack of clarity or predictability surrounding the event. The phrase is valid and used to add emphasis.

Which is correct, "uncertain possibility" or "uncertainty possibility"?

"Uncertain possibility" is the correct and more commonly used phrase. "Uncertainty possibility" is less idiomatic and may sound awkward. Sticking with ""uncertain possibility"" ensures clarity and natural-sounding English.