unfortunate possibility

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "unfortunate possibility" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a scenario or outcome that is undesirable or regrettable but still a potential reality. Example: "The unfortunate possibility of a recession looms over the economy, causing concern among investors."

✓ Grammatically correct

Human Reproduction

Wiki

Futures

Earth, Planets and Space

Vice

Huffington Post

TechCrunch

The New York Times

BBC

Acta Orthopaedica

Emerging Infectious Diseases

BMC Psychiatry

The Guardian

The New Yorker

Independent

Forbes

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

No problems were encountered in accepting these twins, probably as a result of the intensive screening programme which also addressed the unfortunate possibility of handicapped children, together with the legal aspects involved.

Human Reproduction

Even taking the aforementioned precautions, skin damage and cancer are always an unfortunate possibility.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

From an artistic point of view, it is unfortunate that there is little possibility to be responsibly involved in the discourse concerning biotechnology and culture.

Futures

It was unfortunate that the possibility of this M 9 event could not be predicted beforehand.

Earth, Planets and Space

There's also the unfortunate but real possibility that your friend is a carcinogen sponge.

Vice

To the June 2011 NBA process, now add the unfortunate, likely NBA lockout possibility to the labor horizon and the NBA Draft selection process gets even cloudier and more difficult to navigate.

Huffington Post

It's unfortunate that the limitless possibilities are being capped by an ISP, but it has no direct business impact on us".

TechCrunch

Not surprisingly, they tend to avoid weekends and holidays, when doctors have other plans, hospitals are short of staff and the possibility of an unfortunate birthday — Christmas Day, anyone?

The New York Times

The unfortunate reality is that this possibility has not only been ignored by the major media and establishment pollsters, but also by alleged political renegades and by independent candidates ostensibly searching for a path to victory.

Huffington Post

The ramifications and the possibilities of that unfortunate kid's life are just too awful to bear thinking about.

Vice

They make it so he has no possibility of refuting how unfortunate his actions could have been and were.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "unfortunate possibility", clearly articulate the specific situation or outcome you are referring to, providing sufficient context for the reader to understand the potential negative consequences.

Common error

Avoid presenting an "unfortunate possibility" as a certainty. Use qualifying language (e.g., "potential", "risk of") to maintain objectivity and avoid causing undue alarm.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "unfortunate possibility" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "unfortunate" modifies the noun "possibility". As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it describes a scenario or outcome that is undesirable or regrettable yet remains a potential reality. It often introduces a degree of concern or caution.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Reference

5%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "unfortunate possibility" is a grammatically sound and usable expression that describes an undesirable or regrettable potential outcome. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s suitable for various contexts, carrying a neutral register while subtly expressing concern. While not exceptionally frequent, it appears commonly in news, scientific, and formal business contexts. When using this phrase, ensure you provide adequate context and avoid presenting the possibility as a certainty. Alternatives like "regrettable likelihood" or "undesirable prospect" can offer similar nuances depending on your intent.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

regrettable likelihood

Substitutes "unfortunate" with "regrettable" and "possibility" with "likelihood", emphasizing the unwelcome nature of the potential event with a slightly more formal tone.

undesirable prospect

Replaces both words to highlight the unwanted nature of the potential future situation with a slightly stronger sense of aversion.

negative potential

Uses a more direct and less emotional term to indicate the harmful or adverse nature of the possibility.

grim outlook

Shifts the focus to the overall situation having a bleak or depressing possible future.

bleak anticipation

Emphasizes the feeling of dread or hopelessness associated with a future possibility.

bad omen

Introduces an element of foreboding, suggesting that an event hints at an undesirable future.

distressing eventuality

Highlights the emotional impact and inevitable nature of the potential outcome.

unhappy circumstance

Downplays the likelihood of the situation occurring and focuses on its overall unpleasantness.

worrisome contingency

Focuses on the anxiety caused by preparing for a possible but unwelcome event.

unfavorable circumstance

Highlights the disadvantageous nature of the event, making it sound less emotionally negative but more realistically problematic.

FAQs

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

You can use "unfortunate possibility" to describe a potential situation that is undesirable. For example: "There is an unfortunate possibility that the project will be delayed."

What are some alternatives to "unfortunate possibility"?

You can use alternatives like "regrettable likelihood", "undesirable prospect", or "negative potential" depending on the context.

Is "unfortunate possibility" formal or informal?

"Unfortunate possibility" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.

What does "unfortunate possibility" imply?

It implies that there is a chance of something bad or undesirable happening, and that this outcome is regrettable.