possible
adjective OPAL WOPAL S
/ˈpɒsəbl/
/ˈpɑːsəbl/
Idioms - [not usually before noun] that can be done or achieved
- possible to do something New technology has made it possible to communicate more easily.
- it is possible to do something It is possible to get there by bus.
- It's just not physically possible to finish all this by the end of the week.
- it is possible for somebody to do something Would it be possible for me to leave a message for her?
- This wouldn't have been possible without you.
- I'd like the money back by next week if possible.
- Try to avoid losing your temper if at all possible (= if you can).
- Use public transport whenever possible (= when you can).
- The doctors did all that was humanly possible to save him.
- We spent every possible moment on the beach.
- Expansion was made possible by the investment of government money.
- This film was better than I thought possible.
Express Yourself Forbidding somebody to do somethingForbidding somebody to do somethingWhen speaking to somebody, we usually use indirect language to ask them not to do something:- I'm sorry, smoking isn't allowed./You're not allowed to smoke here.
- Would you mind not talking during the music?
- Could I ask you not to use your phone here, please?
- I'm afraid I have to ask you not to take pictures here.
Express Yourself Asking for permission/a favourAsking for permission/a favourYou are more likely to get what you want if you can ask for it politely. Here are some ways of asking whether you may do something:- Would you mind if I opened the window?
- Could I possibly borrow your phone?
- I hate to ask, but could I please borrow your phone?
- Do you happen to have a pair of gloves I could borrow for the evening?
- Would it be all right if I left five minutes early?
- Is there any chance that we could stay at your house the night before our flight?
- Would it be OK to leave my bag here?
- Yes, of course.
- Go ahead.
- That's fine.
- I'd rather you didn't, if you don't mind.
- I'd prefer it if you asked somebody else.
- If there's someone else you can ask, I'd be grateful.
Extra Examples- In those circumstances, I thought it possible to work with him.
- Do everything possible to get it finished on time.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryverbs- be
- seem
- sound
- …
- entirely
- perfectly
- quite
- …
- as far as possible
- as long as possible
- as much as possible
- …
- that might exist or happen but is not certain to
- the possible side effects of the drug
- a possible future president
- Frost is possible, although unlikely, at this time of year.
- it is possible (that)… It is quite possible that the river will flood again.
- It's just possible that I gave them the wrong directions.
- ‘You might be wrong, of course!’ ‘It’s possible, but I doubt it.’
- With the possible exception of the Beatles, no other band has become so successful so quickly.
- ‘Do you think he’ll resign?’ ‘Anything’s possible where he’s concerned.’
- a possible outcome/effect/consequence
- We have to look at every possible scenario.
Language Bank perhapsperhapsMaking an opinion sound less definite- Most cybercrime involves traditional crimes, such as theft and fraud, being committed in new ways. Phishing is perhaps/possibly/probably the best-known example of this.
- It seems/appears that the more personal data which organizations collect, the more opportunity there is for this data to be lost or stolen.
- It seems clear that introducing national ID cards would do little to prevent identity theft.
- It could be argued that the introduction of national ID cards might actually make identity theft easier.
- It is possible that/It may be that the only way to protect ourselves against DNA identity theft is to avoid the creation of national DNA databases.
Extra ExamplesTopics Doubt, guessing and certaintya1- It is just possible that he's still here.
- It's theoretically possible but highly unlikely ever to happen.
- It's scarcely possible that he knew nothing about it.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryverbs- be
- seem
- sound
- …
- entirely
- perfectly
- quite
- …
- as far as possible
- as long as possible
- as much as possible
- …
- reasonable or acceptable in a particular situation
- There are several possible explanations.
- Please suggest possible ways in which you would improve the existing program.
- a possible solution
- One possible cause/reason is…
Extra Examples- She's perfectly possible as our main speaker.
- What are the possible interpretations of this message?
- What possible reason can you have for stopping me going?
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryverbs- be
- seem
- sound
- …
- entirely
- perfectly
- quite
- …
- as far as possible
- as long as possible
- as much as possible
- …
- used after adjectives to emphasize that something is the best, worst, etc. of its type
- It was the best possible surprise anyone could have given me.
- Don't leave your packing until the last possible moment.
- Jacobs faces the maximum possible sentence of five years imprisonment.
Word Originlate Middle English: from Old French, or from Latin possibilis, from posse ‘be able’.
Idioms
as quickly, much, soon, etc. as possible
- as quickly, much, soon, etc. as you can
- We will get your order to you as soon as possible.
- Try to give as much detail as possible in your answer.
- She did as much as possible to help him.
the best/worst of all possible worlds
- a situation in which you have all the possible advantages/disadvantages together
- In the best of all possible worlds, you should be able to develop your career and enjoy a rewarding family life.
the best of both worlds/all possible worlds
- the benefits of two or more completely different situations that you can enjoy at the same time
- If you enjoy the coast and the country, you'll get the best of both worlds on this walk.
- Maybe in the best of all possible worlds things would be different.
the worst of all (possible) worlds
- a situation in which you have all the possible disadvantages at the same time