under possibility

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "under possibility" is not commonly used in written English and may sound awkward.
It could be used in contexts discussing potential situations or conditions, but it is better to use more standard expressions. Example: "The project is under possibility of being delayed due to unforeseen circumstances."

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Nevertheless, the intensity of graphene X-ray lines is under possibility for quality Rietveld refinement.

Chemistry Central Journal

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

One possibly under-discussed possibility is that broadcasters such as LBC will set up debates irrespective of national agreements.

The Guardian

An under-appreciated possibility is that there may be an important interaction between these two protective factors (sex steroids and sleep) that may play a role in daily fluctuations in cognitive processing, in particular memory, across a woman's lifespan.

Neurobiology of Learning and Memory

One under-explored possibility is that of patient self-rating of symptoms.

BMC Psychiatry

They limn a richly provocative cartography of consciousness itself and its heretofore under-realized possibilities.

The New York Times - Arts

Under one possibility described by a senior officer in Baghdad, former army transportation and engineering units might be reconstituted first.

The New York Times

Under one possibility, the monetary fund would allocate up to $10 billion, with additional funds from the European Union.

The New York Times

Under this possibility, Mr. Santorum would run slightly ahead of Mr. Romney in delegates for the remainder of the race, winning 643 to Mr. Romney's 610.

The New York Times

Under that possibility, the city would be placed in a kind of financial receivership and the governor would choose a manager to steer the process.

The New York Times

Under one possibility, Ms. Gifford would be paired with Hoda Kotb, already a co-anchor of the program's fourth hour; two other stalwarts of the last hour, Ann Curry and Natalie Morales, would continue to be showcased mainly in the first three hours.

The New York Times - Arts

This paper analyzes many weak moment asymptotics under the possibility of similar moments.

Journal of Econometrics

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "under possibility", ensure the context is appropriate and the phrasing does not sound awkward to native English speakers.

Common error

Avoid using "under possibility" when a more direct or common phrase like "potentially" or "possibly" would be more concise and natural.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "under possibility" primarily functions as a prepositional phrase, modifying a noun or verb by indicating a condition or potential. While grammatically sound, Ludwig indicates that this phrase isn't the most common or natural way to express an idea.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

30%

News & Media

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Wiki

5%

Reference

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "under possibility" is grammatically acceptable but not a common or preferred way to express a potential scenario. Ludwig's analysis suggests that more idiomatic alternatives such as "within the realm of possibility" or "subject to the possibility" are generally better choices. Its usage spans various contexts, including science, news and formal business settings, but it's relatively rare overall. Therefore, while not incorrect, writers should exercise caution and consider more conventional phrasing for clarity and naturalness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

within the realm of possibility

This alternative is more idiomatic and common.

subject to the possibility

This alternative indicates a condition that influences the likelihood.

contingent upon the possibility

This alternative emphasizes dependence on the possibility.

conditional on the possibility

This alternative highlights a specific dependency.

depending on the possibility

This alternative is a more informal way to express contingency.

in light of the possibility

This alternative suggests consideration of the possibility.

given the possibility

This alternative sets the possibility as a known factor.

in the event of the possibility

This alternative focuses on the occurrence of the possibility.

considering the chance

This alternative shifts the focus to the likelihood of something happening.

taking into account the potential

This alternative emphasizes the anticipation of a potential outcome.

FAQs

What does "under possibility" mean?

The phrase "under possibility" suggests that something is being considered as a potential or conditional factor. However, it's not a standard English idiom.

What are some alternatives to "under possibility"?

You can use alternatives like "within the realm of possibility", "subject to the possibility", or simply "potentially".

Is "under possibility" grammatically incorrect?

While not strictly incorrect, "under possibility" is less common and can sound awkward. It's often better to use more conventional phrases.

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

While not recommended, you could say, "The project is under the possibility of being delayed." However, "The project might be delayed" or "A delay is possible" are better alternatives.