whereas possible

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'whereas possible' is correct and can be used in written English.
It is often used to express the idea that something should be done in the most favorable conditions if that is feasible. For example: My team and I will try to work remotely, whereas possible.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

Clearly, not all propositions can be possible states of affairs, because there are propositions that are not possibly true, whereas possible states of affairs must obtain in at least some possible world.

SEP

Many faults were observed in the sedimentary unit on the seismic reflection profile, whereas possible lower segments of the faults were imaged as high-attenuation stripes in the oceanic crust on the seismic attenuation profile.

Earth, Planets and Space

In the current study, we used only the most likely metabolites, whereas possible alternative assignments were not indicated for cases where mapping of metabolite names to individual masses was ambiguous.

Plosone

Similar to humans, a presumed amino-terminally truncated 20 aa isoform of Hep-2 was detected in urine of all mouse strains, whereas possible 22 aa and 23 aa isoforms of Hep-2 were detected in urine from C57Bl/6 and DBA/2 mice.

Plosone

Data regarding relationships between diabetes and LVH are controversial and inconclusive, whereas possible gender differences were not specifically investigated.

Cardiovascular Diabetology

There were significantly more records of AOSA in males, whereas possible and definite suicide attempts were more common in females.

BMC Public Health

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

Whereas, it is possible to design complex electrotaxis setup [16], [23], we shall insist that a simple, commercial electrophoresis system is sufficient to physically sort the faster worms from a population.

Plosone

A perception of a sluggish government reaction to the oil spill was also jumped upon by Labour.On top of that, the prime minister's coalition partners are in trouble, whereas a possible Labour partner, the Green Party, is enjoying increased support.

The Economist

Whereas,the possible defect that bypass cost caused by hub or intermedia seem unvoided.

Systems Engineering Procedia

Integration of the pulse combustor in the topping cycle can increase the thermal efficiency to 50.8% whereas maximum possible ABC's efficiency is 43.6%.

Applied Thermal Engineering

Whereas all possible surface orientations are stable in the case of pure Cu, only the {1 1 1}, {1 0 0}, {1 1 0}, and {3 2 0} orientations are stable in Bi-saturated Cu crystals.

Acta Materialia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "whereas possible", ensure that the contrast you're drawing is clear and that the condition of possibility is relevant to the comparison. This phrase is best suited for formal and scientific writing where precision is valued.

Common error

Avoid using "whereas possible" in casual or informal settings. The phrase's formal tone can sound out of place and may be better replaced with simpler alternatives like "but if we can" or "while it's doable".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "whereas possible" functions as a conditional conjunction, introducing a contrasting scenario that depends on the feasibility of a particular action or condition. Ludwig's examples showcase its usage in scientific and formal contexts to present alternatives based on what is achievable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

70%

News & Media

20%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "whereas possible" is grammatically correct and serves as a conditional conjunction, primarily used to introduce a contrasting scenario based on feasibility. As indicated by Ludwig, it is most commonly found in scientific and formal writing, offering a precise way to express alternatives dependent on specific conditions. While relatively uncommon, it adds a layer of formality and accuracy to the text. When using "whereas possible", ensure the contrast and conditionality are clear, and consider simpler alternatives for informal contexts. The most frequent sources include scientific journals and news outlets.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

while feasible

Replaces "whereas" with "while", maintaining a similar contrastive meaning with an emphasis on feasibility.

although possible

Substitutes "whereas" with "although", indicating a concession or contrast related to possibility.

even if feasible

Emphasizes the condition of feasibility by using "even if", adding a slight sense of unexpectedness.

in contrast, if possible

Uses "in contrast" to highlight the difference, specifying the condition of possibility separately.

conversely, when practical

Replaces "whereas" with "conversely" and "possible" with "practical", shifting the focus to practical considerations.

on the other hand, if achievable

Introduces a contrast with "on the other hand", highlighting the condition of being achievable.

but if there's a chance

Offers a more informal alternative using "but" and emphasizing the existence of a chance.

instead, if doable

Uses "instead" to suggest an alternative action if something is doable.

however, supposing it's viable

Combines "however" for contrast with "supposing it's viable" to express a conditional possibility.

alternatively, provided it can be done

Presents an alternative using "alternatively" and specifying the condition that something can be done.

FAQs

How can I use "whereas possible" in a sentence?

Use "whereas possible" to introduce a contrast where the second part of the statement depends on a condition being feasible. For example, "We will conduct the experiment in the lab, "whereas possible", we will simulate the conditions."

What does "whereas possible" mean?

"Whereas possible" indicates a contrasting situation that is contingent on something being achievable or feasible. It sets up a conditional alternative to a previous statement.

Is "whereas possible" formal or informal?

"Whereas possible" is a relatively formal phrase. Simpler alternatives like "but if we can" might be more appropriate for casual conversation.

What are some alternatives to "whereas possible"?

You can use alternatives such as "while feasible", "although possible", or "conversely, when practical" depending on the nuance you want to convey.