- Have you ever wondered why “big possibility” sounds slightly “off” to a native speaker?
- Do you struggle to choose the right verb to use before the word “possibility”?
- Are you confused about whether to use “possibility of” or “possibility for”?
Mastering possibility collocations is a vital step toward achieving natural English fluency. In English, words don’t exist in isolation; they live in “word partnerships.” By learning which adjectives and verbs naturally pair with “possibility,” you reduce your cognitive load, decrease language anxiety, and sound more professional in both academic and business settings. This guide focuses on high-frequency, modern usage as identified by corpus linguistics to help you stop translating from your native language and start thinking in English.
Essential Collocations using POSSIBILITY as a Noun
The word “possibility” functions primarily as a noun in English. To use it correctly, we must look at the adjectives that describe it, the verbs that act upon it, and the prepositions that follow it.
Adjectives Describing Likelihood
In English, we don’t usually say a “big” or “small” possibility. Instead, we use specific adjectives to define how likely something is to happen.
- Remote possibility: A very slight chance that is unlikely to happen.
Example: There is a remote possibility that the flight will be canceled, but I wouldn’t worry. - Distinct possibility: A very clear and real chance.
Example: There is a distinct possibility that we will meet our sales targets early. - Strong possibility: A high likelihood.
Example: There is a strong possibility of rain this afternoon. - Faint possibility: A very small, almost non-existent chance.
Example: There is still a faint possibility of finding the lost keys. - Real possibility: A serious or practical chance.
Example: Relocating to the London office is now a real possibility for me.
Verbs Used with Possibility
These verbs describe the actions we take when dealing with potential outcomes.
- Explore the possibility: To investigate or look into a potential option.
Example: The company is exploring the possibility of expanding into Asia. - Rule out the possibility: To decide that something is impossible.
Example: The doctors have ruled out the possibility of an infection. - Face the possibility: To accept that something (usually negative) might happen.
Example: We have to face the possibility that the project might fail. - Entertain the possibility: To consider an idea or suggestion.
Example: He refused to even entertain the possibility of selling his car. - Exclude the possibility: To make it impossible for something to happen.
Example: The new security measures exclude the possibility of unauthorized entry.
Common Prepositional Patterns
How you connect “possibility” to the rest of the sentence is crucial for grammatical accuracy.
- Possibility of (+ Gerund/Noun): The most common pattern.
Example: Is there any possibility of getting a refund? - Possibility for (+ Noun): Used when discussing opportunities.
Example: The new law creates a possibility for change in the industry. - Possibility that (+ Clause): Used to introduce a full thought.
Example: There is a possibility that the meeting will be postponed.
The Master Summary Table
| Collocation | Part of Speech | Quick Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Remote possibility | Adjective + Noun | A very low chance. |
| Strong possibility | Adjective + Noun | A very high chance. |
| Rule out the possibility | Verb + Noun | To dismiss an option. |
| Explore the possibility | Verb + Noun | To research an option. |
| Possibility of | Noun + Preposition | Connection to an action or thing. |
Common Mistakes: Natural vs Unnatural
To improve your possibility collocations, avoid these common learner errors often caused by direct translation.
| Do Not Say | Say This |
|---|---|
| A big possibility | A strong or real possibility |
| A small possibility | A slight or remote possibility |
| I have the possibility to go | I have the opportunity to go / There is a possibility of me going |
| Throw away the possibility | Rule out the possibility |
Contextual Story
“Subject: Project Update – Exploring the possibility of a deadline extension.
Hi Team, after reviewing our current progress, I believe there is a distinct possibility that we will not finish the coding phase by Friday. While there is a remote possibility of finishing if we work overtime, I don’t want to rule out the possibility of asking the client for two more days. Please let me know if you see a real possibility of completion by the original date.”
Frequently Asked Questions about Possibility Collocations
Is it “possibility to do” or “possibility of doing”?
In most cases, “possibility of doing” (gerund) is the correct and most natural choice. While “possibility to do” is occasionally used, it often sounds like a translation error. Use “opportunity to do” if you are talking about a chance to act.
What is the difference between “probability” and “possibility”?
A “possibility” means something can happen (0.1% to 100%). A “probability” means something is likely to happen (usually over 50%). You can have a “remote possibility,” but “remote probability” is rarely used.
Can I say “highly possibility”?
No. “Highly” is an adverb. You must use an adjective to describe the noun: “A high possibility” or “highly possible” (adverb + adjective).
Which preposition follows possibility?
The most common prepositions are “of” (possibility of rain) and “for” (possibility for improvement). You can also use “within” (within the realm of possibility).
What does “within the realm of possibility” mean?
This is a common idiom meaning that something is theoretically possible, even if it is unlikely. It is the opposite of “beyond the realm of possibility.”
I used to always say 'make a possibility' which I now realize sounds completely wrong! 'Create a possibility' or 'open up a possibility' makes so much more sense. Thank you for correcting my common mistake!
Priya, that's a common mistake, and you've perfectly identified the more natural collocations! 'Create a possibility' or 'open up a possibility' are indeed excellent choices. This awareness is exactly what leads to greater fluency and confidence in English. Keep paying attention to these details!
This is very insightful! My native language (Danish) doesn't have such strict rules about which adjectives pair with which nouns, so this is a big adjustment for me.
Thanks for sharing your perspective, Olaf! It's fascinating to see how different languages approach these 'word partnerships.' English can indeed be quite particular, but recognizing this difference is a huge step. The more you immerse yourself in authentic English, the more these collocations will start to feel intuitive!
I struggle with prepositions. The 'possibility of' vs 'for' part was especially useful. Are there any general rules to guide preposition choice after other nouns?
Bianca, you're not alone – prepositions are notoriously tricky! While there aren't many 'general rules' that apply universally (as they often depend on the specific noun/verb), a good strategy is to learn common noun+preposition and adjective+preposition chunks as fixed phrases. Exposure through reading and listening, and actively noting these patterns, is also key. We'll certainly cover more preposition usage in future articles!
This guide is a goldmine for understanding natural English. The emphasis on corpus linguistics means I can trust these recommendations. I'm excited to apply this to my writing.
We're thrilled you find it valuable, Hiroshi! Our goal is always to provide accurate, evidence-based guidance to help you achieve natural English. Happy writing, and feel free to share your progress with us!
What are some common negative collocations, like 'rule out a possibility' or 'dismiss a possibility'? I often need to express that something is not going to happen.
Fantastic follow-up question, Chloe! You're spot on with 'rule out a possibility' and 'dismiss a possibility' – both are excellent for expressing negation. Other common ones include 'eliminate the possibility,' 'reject the possibility,' or 'ignore the possibility.' These are very useful for formal and informal contexts alike!
I've heard 'a strong possibility.' Is that correct to mean a very likely possibility, similar to 'high possibility'?
Yes, Rajesh, absolutely! 'A strong possibility' is a perfectly natural and very common collocation to express a high likelihood. It's indeed synonymous with 'a high possibility.' Both are excellent choices for conveying that something is very likely to happen.
The point about reducing cognitive load is so true! When I manage to use the right collocation, my sentences just flow much better, and I don't have to pause and think as much.
Isabelle, you've perfectly articulated one of the biggest benefits of mastering collocations! When words flow naturally together, your brain doesn't have to work as hard, leading to smoother, more confident communication. That's a huge step toward effortless fluency!
Are there any informal or slang uses of 'possibility' that break these rules, or is it generally a more formal word?
That's a thoughtful question about register, David. 'Possibility' itself tends to be a fairly neutral to slightly formal word, so it's less common to find truly 'slang' collocations with it. Even in informal speech, you'd typically stick to 'slim possibility,' 'good possibility,' etc. However, in very casual contexts, you might hear truncated phrases like 'Any possibility?' instead of 'Is there any possibility?'
This article helped me understand why my English sometimes sounds 'off' even when my grammar is technically correct. It's the collocations! Mind = blown. Thank you!
Maria, that 'mind blown' moment is why we write these articles! Many learners reach a point where grammatical correctness isn't enough; it's the naturalness of collocations that makes the real difference. We're thrilled to have helped you uncover this crucial aspect of fluency!
I'm always looking for ways to sound more professional in my reports. 'Explore the possibility' and 'consider the possibility' are perfect. This article has given me practical phrases I can use immediately.
That's excellent, Kenji! Applying these collocations directly to your professional writing is exactly what we hope for. Using these natural word partnerships will indeed make your reports sound more polished and professional. Keep building that strong vocabulary!