possibility
Word family
Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English 5++LDOCE 5++pos·si·bil·i·ty /ˌpɒsəˈbɪləti $ ˌpɑː-/ ●●● S2 W2 noun (plural possibilities) 1 [countable, uncountable]POSSIBLE if there is a possibility that something is true or that something will happen, it might be true or it might happen 可能，可能性 There’s always a possibility that he might go back to Seattle. 他也许会回到西雅图去，这种可能性一直存在。 the possibility of an enemy attack 敌人进攻的可能性 There was no possibility of changing the voting procedure. 改变投票程序是不可能的。 A peace settlement now looks like a real possibility. 达成和平协议现在看来有很大的可能性。 Tomorrow, there’s a remote possibility of snow on high ground. 明天高原地区下雪的可能性甚微。 They might get married – it’s not beyond the bounds of possibility. 他们也许会结婚——这并非不可能。 The study raises the possibility that dieting is bad for your health. 那项研究指出节食有可能损害健康。2 [countable usually plural]CHANCE/OPPORTUNITY an opportunity to do something, or something that can be done or tried 机会；可能的办法possibilities for/of (doing) something exciting possibilities for reducing costs 令人振奋的降低成本的可能方法 Archer began to explore the possibilities of opening a club in the city. 阿彻开始想办法在城里开设一家俱乐部。 The US has not yet exhausted all diplomatic possibilities (=tried everything possible). 美国还没有使尽外交手段。 the range of possibilities offered to students 提供给学生的各种选择3 have possibilities POSSIBLEif something has possibilities, it could be made into something much better 有潜力，有发展的可能性 SYN have potential The house has great possibilities. 这房子有很大的潜在价值。n COLLOCATIONS – Meaning 1: if there is a possibility that something is true or that something will happen, it might be true or it might happenadjectivesa strong/good possibility (=something that is very likely)There is a strong possibility that the drug causes similar damage in humans.a real possibility (=something that is quite likely)At this moment, a recession is a real possibility.a distinct possibility (=something that is quite likely)I knew there was a distinct possibility that I might fail my degree.a remote/faint possibility (=something that is not very likely)There's no point worrying about such a remote possibility.verbsa possibility existsThe possibility exists that he misunderstood the data.something remains a possibilityWar remains a possibility.consider a possibilityPolice in Glasgow are considering the possibility that the death may be drug-related.raise a possibility (=say or show that something may happen or may be true)The government has raised the possibility of an early election next year.rule out/exclude a possibility (=say that something will definitely not happen or is definitely not true)We can't rule out the possibility that there will be more redundancies.phrasesthere is a possibility thatThere is a possibility that files could be lost if the system crashes.n COLLOCATIONS – Meaning 2: an opportunity to do something, or something that can be done or triedverbsconsider a possibility (=think about whether you should take an opportunity)We even began to consider the possibility of moving there permanently.explore a possibility (=think carefully and find out about an opportunity)You may want to explore the possibility of setting up your own business.offer a possibility (=make an opportunity available)Technology offers exciting possibilities to designers.open up a possibility (=make a new opportunity available)His recent performance opens up the possibility for him to compete in the Olympic Games.exhaust the possibilities (=try everything possible)I was determined not to give up until I had exhausted all the possibilities.adjectivesnew possibilitiesNew possibilities lay before him.exciting possibilitiesThe city offers many exciting possibilities for young people.tremendous possibilities (=very good or important opportunities)This discovery opens up tremendous possibilities for cancer screening.Examples from the Corpus
possibility• Unless there is some change in the economy, there is a possibility that the plant may close.• We need to investigate all possibilities for helping these children.• There's a distinct possibility that there will be another earthquake.• Computers have opened up many exciting possibilities.• There is still a faint possibility that Sarah will be found safe and well.• I just listened, there was absolutely no possibility of influencing her.• There was no possibility now that she could capsize: built with positive buoyancy, she was incapable of sinking.• Voice input and output offer possibilities which are only beginning to be explored.• One possibility is to offer him more money.• A Republican victory in next month's elections now seems to be a real possibility.• We know this individual pulled the trigger, but there are several possibilities as to who was actually responsible.• Howard by his belief in original sin, guilt and the possibility of awakening man's consciousness of sin.• We are considering the possibility of providing a new class for advanced students.• We could not ignore the possibility of an enemy attack.• Instrument flight means the possibility of flying in all weather conditions.• Care must be taken to ensure that the possibility of a sale is not disclosed to the client's staff.• It is interesting to reflect upon the possibility that a meteorite-sized chunk of cometary material might survive its fall to Earth.• The possibilities for improvement are endless.raises the possibility• But the muse's intervention also raises the possibility of abandoning poetry altogether.• And beyond these individuals, it raises the possibility of a Republican Party, tolerant and moderate, for the modern age.• Confrontation only creates the possibility for drama when it raises the possibility of change.• This raises the possibility of an employee with a shareholding being allowed to enforce the section 309 duty derivatively.• This raises the possibility of future therapeutic manipulation.• This raises the possibility that any effect of risk may operate only within individual junctions and not across all junctions.• This raises the possibility that global warming may be a contributing factor.possibilities offered• Expanding haulage firms, however, seem largely to have neglected the possibilities offered by a franchising arrangement.• The possibilities offered in the introduction of knowledge based systems are enormous.pos·si·bil·i·ty noun →n COLLOCATIONS1 →n COLLOCATIONS2LDOCE OnlineChineseSyllable
there is possibility that Corpus a if
possibility
pos‧si‧bil‧i‧ty S2 W2 /ˌpɒsəˈbɪləti, ˌpɒsɪˈbɪləti $ ˌpɑː-/
noun (plural possibilities)
There’s always a possibility that he might go back to Seattle.
the possibility of an enemy attack
There was no possibility of changing the voting procedure.
A peace settlement now looks like a real possibility.
Tomorrow, there’s a remote possibility of snow on high ground.
They might get married – it’s not beyond the bounds of possibility.
The study raises the possibility that dieting is bad for your health.
2. [countable usually plural] an opportunity to do something, or something that can be done or tried
possibilities for/of (doing) something
exciting possibilities for reducing costs
Archer began to explore the possibilities of opening a club in the city.
The US has not yet exhausted all diplomatic possibilities (=tried everything possible).
the range of possibilities offered to students
3. have possibilities if something has possibilities, it could be made into something much better
SYN have potential:
The house has great possibilities.
■ adjectives
▪a strong/good possibility (=something that is very likely) There is a strong possibility that the drug causes similar damage in humans.
▪a real possibility (=something that is quite likely) At this moment, a recession is a real possibility.
▪a distinct possibility (=something that is quite likely) I knew there was a distinct possibility that I might fail my degree.
▪a remote/faint possibility (=something that is not very likely) There's no point worrying about such a remote possibility.
■ verbs
▪a possibility exists The possibility exists that he misunderstood the data.
▪something remains a possibility War remains a possibility.
▪consider a possibility Police In Glasgow are considering the possibility that the death may be drugs-related.
▪raise a possibility (=say or show that something may happen or may be true) The government has raised the possibility of an early election next year.
▪rule out/exclude a possibility (=say that something will definitely not happen or is definitely not true) We can't rule out the possibility that there will be more redundancies.
■ phrases
▪there is a possibility that There is a possibility that files could be lost if the system crashes.
■ verbs
▪consider a possibility (=think about whether you should take an opportunity) We even began to consider the possibility of moving there permanently.
▪explore a possibility (=think carefully and find out about an opportunity) You may want to explore the possibility of setting up your own business.
▪offer a possibility (=make an opportunity available) Technology offers exciting possibilities to designers.
▪open up a possibility (=make a new opportunity available) His recent performance opens up the possibility for him to compete in the Olympic Games.
▪exhaust the possibilities (=try everything possible) I was determined not to give up until I had exhausted all the possibilities.
■ adjectives
▪new possibilities New possibilities lay before him.
▪exciting possibilities The city offers many exciting possibilities for young people.
▪tremendous possibilities (=very good or important opportunities) This discovery opens up tremendous possibilities for cancer screening.
pos‧si‧bil‧i‧ty S2 W2 /ˌpɒsəˈbɪləti, ˌpɒsɪˈbɪləti $ ˌpɑː-/
noun (plural possibilities) Word Family: noun: possibility ≠ impossibility, the impossible, possible; adverb: possibly ≠ impossibly; adjective: possible ≠ impossible
1. [uncountable and countable] if there is a possibility that something is true or that something will happen, it might be true or it might happen: 2. [countable usually plural] an opportunity to do something, or something that can be done or tried
possibilities for/of (doing) something
3. have possibilities if something has possibilities, it could be made into something much better
SYN have potential:
| COLLOCATIONS |
| (for Meaning 1) |
▪
▪
▪
▪
■ verbs
▪
▪
▪
▪
▪
■ phrases
▪
| COLLOCATIONS |
| (for Meaning 2) |
▪
▪
▪
▪
▪
■ adjectives
▪
▪
▪
option something that you can choose to have or do; the freedom to choose what you do 指可选择的事物、选择、选择权、选择的自由 ：◆ As I see it, we have two options… 据我看，我们有两种选择… ◆ Students have the option of studying abroad in their second year. 学生在二年级时可以选择出国学习。 NOTE Option is also the word used in computing for one of the choices you can make when using a computer program.* option 亦指计算机程序里的选项、选择 ：◆ Choose the 'Cut' option from the Edit menu. 从编辑选单上选择 “剪切” 项。 choice the freedom to choose what you do; something that you can choose to have or do 指选择权、选择的自由、选择、可选择的事物 ：◆ If I had the choice, I would stop working tomorrow. 如果让我选择，我明天就停止工作。 ◆ There is a wide range of choices open to you. 你有很多选择。 alternative something that you can choose to have or do out of two or more possibilities 指可供选择的事物、其中一种选择 ：◆ You can be paid in cash weekly or by cheque monthly: those are the two alternatives. 你的工资可以按周以现金支取，或按月以支票支取。二者可选其一。
option, choice or alternative? 用 option、choice 还是 alternative？
possibility one of the different things that you can do in a particular situation 指某种情况下可选择的事物 ：◆ We need to explore a wide range of possibilities. 我们需要探究各种可能的情况。 ◆ The possibilities are endless. 可想的办法是无穷的。 NOTE Possibility can be used in a similar way tooption ,choice andalternative , but the emphasis here is less on the need to make a choice, and more on what is available.* possibility 的用法与 option、choice 和 alternative 相似，不过其重点主要在于可选择的事物而非需要作出选择。
Patterns
with/without the option/choice/possibilityof stha(n) good/acceptable/reasonable/possible option/choice/alternativethe only option/choice/alternative/possibilityopen to sbto have a/an/the option/choiceof doing sth to have no option/choice/alternativebut to do stha number/range of options/choices/alternatives/possibilities