what possible

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "what possible" is not correct in standard written English.
It may be an incomplete expression, but it does not convey a clear meaning on its own. Example: "What possible reason could you have for doing that?"

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

What possible link between them?

Independent

What possible consolation could suffice?

The Guardian - Sport

What possible harm has it done?

The Guardian - Books

What possible "truth" could such fictions offer?

The Guardian - Opinion

What possible benefit does it bring you?

The Guardian - Music

So what possible punishments are left?

The Guardian - Opinion

What possible good is there here?

The Guardian - Tech

What possible argument could be offered against this project?

The New York Times

"What possible motive would I have to sit on this?

The New Yorker

Because what possible reason might there be to take action?

The New York Times

What possible part of a benevolent plan can famine serve?

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Reframe the sentence to use adjectives like "conceivable", "potential", or "feasible" before the noun for clearer grammar. For example, instead of "What possible reason?" use "What conceivable reason?"

Common error

Avoid using "what possible" without a noun or verb following it. It often sounds incomplete. For instance, instead of just saying "What possible?", ask "What possible outcome could there be?"

Linguistic Context

The phrase "what possible" functions as an interrogative expression, typically used to question the validity or likelihood of a situation, reason, or outcome. It is often used rhetorically to express disbelief or skepticism. However, Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is not always considered grammatically correct in standard written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Science

12%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "what possible" is frequently used across diverse contexts, especially in news and media, Ludwig indicates that it's grammatically questionable. Its primary function is to question the likelihood or validity of something, often rhetorically. For clearer and more grammatically sound writing, consider alternatives like "what conceivable", "what potential", or "what feasible". Remember to follow the phrase with a noun to create a more complete and understandable sentence. While common, strive for precision in formal contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

what conceivable

Replaces "possible" with a more formal synonym, emphasizing imaginability.

what imaginable

Similar to 'conceivable', this highlights the ability to be imagined or conceived.

what potential

Shifts focus to the inherent capability or likelihood of something.

what feasible

Emphasizes practicality and the ability to be done or carried out easily.

what likely

Highlights probability and the chances of something happening.

what realistic

Focuses on whether something aligns with reality and is achievable.

what viable

Highlights the ability to function independently and sustainably.

what attainable

Emphasizes that something can be successfully reached or achieved.

what achievable

Similar to 'attainable', stressing the possibility of accomplishment.

what grounds

Focuses on the reasons or justification for something.

FAQs

How can I use "what possible" correctly in a sentence?

The phrase "what possible" is often used to express disbelief or to challenge the likelihood of something. It is typically followed by a noun. For example: "What possible reason could he have for lying?"

What alternatives can I use instead of "what possible"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "what conceivable", "what imaginable", or "what potential" to express a similar meaning with better grammatical structure.

Is it grammatically correct to say "what possible harm"?

While commonly used, the phrase "what possible harm" is not always considered grammatically correct. It's better to rephrase it as "What potential harm?" or "What conceivable harm?" for improved clarity and grammatical structure.

What's the difference between "what possible reason" and "what conceivable reason"?

Both phrases question the validity of a reason, but "what conceivable reason" often implies a stronger sense of disbelief or impossibility compared to "what possible reason".