INDEX:
1. when something can be done
2. when something could happen
3. to make something possible
RELATED WORDS
opposite
↑ IMPOSSIBLE
see also
↑ MAYBE
↑ PROBABLY
↑ CAN/CAN'T
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1. when something can be done
▷ possible /ˈpɒsɪb ə l, ˈpɒsəb ə lǁˈpɑː-/ [adjective]
something that is possible, can be done :
▪ Travel to other planets may soon be possible.
▪ Detectives can now check every criminal’s records, which wouldn’t be possible without computers.
▪ The only possible way a woman could rise in class was to marry into a family of higher social standing than her own.
it is possible to do something
▪ Is it possible to find a room in a good hotel for less than $100?
if possible
▪ I want to get back by 5 o'clock if possible.
as soon/quickly/big etc as possible
▪ Please let me know your answer as soon as possible.
▪ We must get her to the hospital as quickly as possible.
humanly possible
use this to emphasize that you will do something as fast, as well etc as possible
▪ We will deal with all complaints as soon as is humanly possible.
do/try everything possible
▪ The doctors did everything possible to save her life.
possibly [adverb]
▪ It was the best vacation you could possibly imagine.
▷ can be done /kæn biː ˈdʌn/ [verb phrase]
if something can be done, it is possible to do it :
▪ The job can be done by Friday if we all make an effort.
▪ I’m sure that more could be done to help the homeless.
▪ Val got her MA while she was working full-time, so it can be done.
▷ possibility /ˌpɒsɪˈbɪləti, ˌpɒsəˈbɪlətiǁˌpɑː-/ [countable noun]
one of the things that you could try to do :
▪ One possibility is to offer him more money.
▪ Computers have opened up many exciting possibilities.
the possibility of doing something
▪ We are considering the possibility of providing a new class for advanced students.
▷ feasible /ˈfiːzɪb ə l, ˈfiːzəb ə l/ [adjective]
a plan, idea, or method that is feasible is possible and is likely to work :
▪ Barrington suggest transporting the supplies by air. This of course is perfectly feasible.
▪ We agreed on a feasible plan and within a week we implemented it.
it is feasible to do something
▪ It is not feasible to have security cameras in every part of the building.
it is feasible that
▪ Da Silva considered it feasible that uranium could be produced on an industrial scale.
feasibility /ˌfiːzɪˈbɪləti, ˌfiːzəˈbɪləti/ [uncountable noun]
whether something is feasible: :
▪ Experts are studying the feasibility of a solar energy project.
▷ workable /ˈwɜːʳkəb ə l/ [adjective]
a workable way of doing something is a possible way of doing it - use this when you have had a lot of problems finding a suitable way :
▪ There is a dispute over land but we believe we have found a workable solution to this problem.
▪ A new plan provides for loans to students, but to make the system workable more government funding will be needed.
▷ doable /ˈduːəb ə l/ [adjective not before noun] informal
a job that is doable is one that can be done :
▪ You did well to even start the project -- at first we didn’t think it was doable at all.
▷ attainable /əˈteɪnəb ə l/ [adjective]
an aim or standard that is attainable is one that can be achieved and it is reasonable to try to achieve it :
▪ Perfect democracy is not attainable, nor is perfect freedom or perfect justice.
▪ Every child should be educated to the highest attainable level.
▷ viable /ˈvaɪəb ə l/ [adjective]
a viable way of doing something is one that is possible and should work well :
▪ Do you think this is a viable proposition?
▪ Nuclear energy is the only viable alternative to coal or gas.
▪ They are in favour of the program, but they want strong assurances that it is viable.
viability /ˌvaɪəˈbɪlɪti, ˌvaɪəˈbɪləti/ [uncountable noun]
whether or not something is viable :
▪ We are currently investigating the viability of this proposal.
2. when something could happen
▷ possible /ˈpɒsɪb ə l, ˈpɒsəb ə lǁˈpɑː-/ [adjective]
if something is possible, there is a chance that it may happen or it may be true :
▪ Accidents are always possible in heavy industries like mining.
▪ You can’t be a Muslim and a Catholic at the same time - it’s just not possible.
▪ technological changes and their possible effects on our lives
it is possible for somebody to do something
▪ It is possible for more than one person to win the competition.
it is possible that
▪ It is possible that the children are still alive.
possibly [adverb]
▪ He could possibly be released from prison within three years.
▷ possibility /ˌpɒsɪˈbɪləti, ˌpɒsəˈbɪlətiǁˌpɑː-/ [countable/uncountable noun]
something that can happen or may happen :
possibility of
▪ We could not ignore the possibility of an enemy attack.
there is a possibility that
▪ Unless there is some change in the economy, there is a possibility that the plant may close.
a real/distinct/strong possibility
something that is quite likely to happen
▪ A Republican victory in next month’s elections now seems to be a real possibility.
▪ There’s a distinct possibility that there will be another earthquake.
a faint/slight possibility
▪ There is still a faint possibility that Sarah will be found safe and well.
▷ can /kən, strong kæn/ [modal verb]
if something can happen, it is possible for it to happen at some time :
▪ Mistakes can occur, even in the most carefully controlled situations.
▪ A lot can happen in two years.
▪ It can be warm in England, even in March.
▷ potential /pəˈtenʃ ə l/ [adjective only before noun]
a potential problem, advantage, effect etc is not a problem, advantage etc now, but it may become one in the future :
▪ For the first time she realized the potential danger of her situation.
▪ It is important for manufacturers to identify potential problems at the design stage.
potential customer/buyer/student etc
someone who may become a customer, buyer etc in the future
▪ a way of making the college more attractive to potential students
▷ there is a chance/possibility /ðeər ɪz ə ˈtʃɑːns, ˌpɒsə̇ˈbɪlə̇tiǁ-ˈtʃæns, ˌpɑː-/ [verb phrase]
use this to say that it is possible that something will happen :
there is a chance/possibility of
▪ On the northern hills there is always the possibility of a snow shower, even in June.
there is a chance/possibility that
▪ Is there any chance that he will recover from his injury in time for the race?
▷ you never know /juː ˌnevəʳ ˈnəʊ/
say this to show that you think there is some possibility that something might happen, even though it seems unlikely :
▪ I’d love to be a doctor, but you have to be very clever for that. Still, you never know.
3. to make something possible
▷ make something possible /ˌmeɪk something ˈpɒsə̇b ə lǁ-ˈpɑː-/ [verb phrase]
▪ We are grateful to everyone who made this event possible.
make it possible for somebody to do something
▪ Satellite broadcasting made it possible for people all over the world to watch the 1960 Olympic Games.
▷ allow/enable /əˈlaʊ, ɪˈneɪb ə l/ [transitive verb] especially written
to make it possible for someone to do something that they want to do :
allow/enable somebody to do something
▪ The Internet allows people to send messages all over the world.
▪ The sports school has enabled 10,000 youngsters to receive free tuition in a wide range of sports.
▷ permit /pəʳˈmɪt/ [intransitive/transitive verb] formal
to make it possible for something to happen or for someone to do something :
▪ I would like to go into this argument in some detail, but time does not permit it.
permit somebody to do something
▪ Unit pricing is a system that permits the customer to compare the costs of products.
weather/ time etc permitting
if the weather, time etc makes it possible
▪ In summer, meals are eaten in the garden, weather permitting.
▷ pave the way for /ˌpeɪv ðə ˈweɪ fɔːʳ/ [verb phrase]
to make it possible for something to happen by producing the right conditions for it :
▪ Galileo’s achievements in physical science paved the way for Newton’s discoveries.
▪ In 1930's Germany, the depression helped Hitler rise to power, paving the way for the Second World War.
▷ clear the way for /ˌklɪəʳ ðə ˈweɪ fɔːʳ/ [verb phrase]
to make it possible for something to happen by removing difficulties that existed before :
▪ The removal of trade restrictions cleared the way for a rapid development of East-West relations.
▪ a vote that cleared the way for the ordination of women priests