1. something that might happen or be true
可能發生的事；可能性
There is a strong possibility of rain tomorrow.
明天下雨的可能性很大。
We need to consider all possibilities before making a decision.
我們在做出決定前需要考慮所有的可能性。
Possibility Meaning（定義、用法、例句與發音）
possibility
noun
快速理解
What does "Possibility" mean?What are 2-3 core uses of "Possibility"?
「possibility」指某事可能發生的狀態或機會，也指潛在的選項或結果。
- 1
可能性（狀態）
EN: the state of being possible
翻譯: 某事可能發生的狀態或性質。
- 2
機會（具體）
EN: a chance that something may happen or be true
翻譯: 某事可能發生或為真的具體機會。
- 3
潛在選項
EN: something that might be chosen or done
翻譯: 可供選擇或執行的潛在選項。
- 4
發展潛力
EN: potential for development or future success
翻譯: 某人或事物未來發展或成功的潛力。
小提醒：注意「possibility」是可數名詞，指具體的「可能性」時常用複數（possibilities），例如「explore all possibilities」（探討所有可能性）。
發音（How to Pronounce "Possibility" in English）
How to pronounce "Possibility" in English?"Possibility" US vs UK pronunciation
點擊下方的 US / UK 按鈕可播放發音。
Real-life Examples of "Possibility" from YouTube Videos
Why is social media actually dumb.
meiqiii
“I'm outside and, because I live in Canada, I'm so scared that a bear is going to eat me, but because of my dedication to get this message across, I am okay to shoulder this possibility of getting eaten by a bear.”
(1 out of 64)
Definitions（定義）
What are the definitions of "Possibility"?How does "Possibility" change by context?
2. the state of being possible
可能性；可能的情況
The possibility of life on other planets fascinates scientists.
其他行星上存在生命的可能性令科學家著迷。
I don't rule out the possibility of moving abroad one day.
我不排除有一天移居國外的可能性。
3. a thing that may be chosen or done; an opportunity
可選擇或可做的事；機會
The job offers several possibilities for career advancement.
這份工作提供了幾個職業發展的機會。
Let's explore the possibilities of working together.
讓我們探討一下合作的可能性。
4. potential for something to develop or succeed
潛力；發展前景
The young athlete shows great possibility.
這位年輕運動員展現出巨大的潛力。
This new technology opens up exciting possibilities for the future.
這項新技術為未來開闢了令人興奮的前景。
Grammar & Patterns（句型）
What are common sentence patterns for "Possibility"?How to make natural sentences with "Possibility"?
| Pattern | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| possibility + of + V-ing/noun | ...的可能性 | There is a strong possibility of rain tomorrow. (明天很有可能會下雨。) |
| possibility + that + clause | ...的可能性 | We cannot rule out the possibility that the data is incomplete. (我們不能排除資料不完整的可能性。) |
| the possibility of + noun phrase | ...的可能性 | The discovery opened up the possibility of a cure. (這項發現開啟了治癒的可能性。) |
| a possibility for + noun phrase | 對...的一種可能性 | This new technology offers a possibility for sustainable energy. (這項新技術為永續能源提供了一種可能性。) |
| consider/explore the possibility of | 考慮/探索...的可能性 | The team is exploring the possibility of expanding into new markets. (團隊正在探索擴展到新市場的可能性。) |
| within the realm of possibility | 在可能的範圍內 | A manned mission to Mars is now within the realm of possibility. (載人火星任務現在已是可能實現的事。) |
| possibility + to + V (less common) | 做...的可能性 | This agreement gives us the possibility to collaborate more closely. (這份協議給了我們更緊密合作的可能性。) |
用法說明
How is "Possibility" different from similar structures?What usage mistakes are common with "Possibility"?
possibility of doing vs possibility to do
- 名詞 possibility 最常見且自然的搭配是 possibility of + (動名詞/名詞)，表示「…的可能性」。
- 使用 possibility to + 動詞原形 的結構較為少見，聽起來較不自然，通常應避免。
- 在正式或學術寫作中，應優先使用 possibility of doing 或 possibility that + 子句 的結構。 EN: We are discussing the possibility of expanding our business overseas. 翻譯: 我們正在討論將業務擴展到海外的可能性。
EN:There is a strong possibility that we will expand our business overseas.
翻譯:我們將業務擴展到海外的可能性很高。
總結建議
建議始終使用 possibility of doing 或 possibility that 的結構，避免使用 possibility to do。
易混淆對比
What is the difference between "Possibility" and similar words?How to choose "Possibility" vs alternatives?
possibility vs probability
「possibility」指某事可能發生，但不一定發生；「probability」則強調某事發生的可能性很高，接近「機率」或「可能性很大」的概念。
possibility vs opportunity
「possibility」指事情發生的「可能性」；「opportunity」則指一個有利的「機會」或「時機」，通常帶有正面、可把握的意味。
possibility vs potential
「possibility」指某事可能發生的「可能性」；「potential」則強調某人或某物內在的「潛力」或「潛在能力」，未來可能發展或實現。
口語用法
How is "Possibility" used in spoken English?What is the spoken vs formal difference for "Possibility"?
引述
在轉述他人想法或提出建議時，常用來緩和語氣，聽起來不那麼直接。 EN: There's a possibility we could push the deadline to next week. 翻譯: 我們有可能把截止日期延到下周。
EN:He mentioned the possibility of working remotely.
翻譯:他提到了遠距工作的可能性。
語氣強調
與 "any"、"every"、"real" 等詞連用，強調範圍或真實性，常用於口語討論中。 EN: Is there any possibility you could help me with this? 翻譯: 你有任何可能幫我處理這個嗎？
EN:There's a real possibility that the event gets cancelled.
翻譯:活動真的有可能會被取消。
停頓填充
在思考或組織語言時，用作填充詞，為說話者爭取時間，常見於 "the possibility of..." 結構。 EN: Well, we have to consider... the possibility of finding a new supplier. 翻譯: 嗯，我們必須考慮...找新供應商的可能性。
EN:I was thinking about, you know, the possibility that we might need more time.
翻譯:我在想，你知道的，我們可能需要更多時間的那種可能性。
正式寫作注意：在學術或正式商業文件中，應避免將 "possibility" 用作填充詞或過於口語化的強調（如 "a real possibility"），建議改用更精確的術語，如 "likelihood"、"potential" 或 "feasibility"，並確保句子結構完整。
常見短語
What common collocations use "Possibility"?What fixed phrases with "Possibility" should I remember?
a strong possibility
adj + possibility
很大的可能性
rule out the possibility
verb + the possibility
排除可能性
within the realm of possibility
prep phrase + possibility
在可能的範圍內
explore every possibility
verb + every possibility
探討每一種可能性
a distinct possibility
adj + possibility
明顯的可能性
face the possibility
verb + the possibility
面對可能性
raise the possibility
verb + the possibility
提出可能性
常見錯誤
What are common mistakes with "Possibility"?Which "Possibility" sentences look correct but are wrong?
×There is a possibility to happen.
✓There is a possibility that it will happen.
在英文中，'possibility' 通常不直接與不定詞 'to happen' 連用。正確的結構是 'possibility of + 動名詞' 或 'possibility that + 子句'。
×There is a possibility for him to win.
✓There is a possibility that he will win.
雖然 'possibility for + 名詞' 在某些語境下可接受（如 'a possibility for growth'），但當談論特定事件或行動時，使用 'possibility that + 子句' 或 'possibility of + 動名詞' 更為自然和常見。
×It has a high possibility to rain tomorrow.
✓There is a high possibility of rain tomorrow.
表達某事發生的可能性高低時，常用 'There is a high/strong/slight possibility of + 名詞/動名詞' 的結構，而不是用 'It has...' 開頭。
×We have to think about all the possibilities that can happen.
✓We have to consider all possibilities.
'possibility' 本身已包含「可能發生的事」的含義，因此加上 'that can happen' 是多餘的，顯得不自然。直接使用 'all possibilities' 或 'every possibility' 即可。
×This is a possibility to solve the problem.
✓This is a possible solution to the problem.
當想表達「一個可能的解決方案」時，應使用 'a possible solution'，而不是 'a possibility to solve'。'Possibility' 通常不用來直接修飾一個具體的動作方案。
×I don't think its possibility.
✓I don't think it's possible. / I don't think there's any possibility.
這是一個常見的直譯錯誤。中文的「認為...的可能性」在英文中通常用 'think (that) something is possible' 或 'think there is a possibility' 來表達，而不是將 'possibility' 直接作為 'think' 的受詞。
詞形變化
What are the word forms of "Possibility"?What are tense/participle forms of "Possibility"?