possible
/ˈpɒsəbl/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈpɑːsəbl/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈpä-sə-bəl/ (ame, mw)
possible — adjective
- possiblepositive
- more possiblecomparative
- most possiblesuperlative
1. within real limits of time, money, or ability, so it can actually happen or be d
within real limits of time, money, or ability, so it can actually happen or be done
A second train line is possible if the city finds more money.
pattern: be possible if + clause
With two ladders, painting the hall in one day is possible.
it is possible to + verb idea
With three helpers, moving the sofa upstairs was possible at last.
A quiet dinner outside is possible when the wind drops.
- feasible
is more formal and is common when judging plans, costs, or technical ideas
- workable
suggests something should function in practice, even if it is not perfect
- achievable
is especially common for goals, results, and targets people can reach
- doable
is informal and common for everyday tasks
- impossible
means it cannot be done or happen
- unworkable
suggests a plan fails in practice
文法句型
it is possible to + verb
possible for somebody to + verb
make something possible
用法筆記
Often used for plans, actions, or situations that can really happen or be carried out. Distinguish from adjective/3, which is about uncertainty rather than feasibility.
常見錯誤
2. used after as to mean to the greatest amount, speed, or degree that can be manag
used after as to mean to the greatest amount, speed, or degree that can be managed
Please email the photos as soon as possible after the meeting.
pattern: as soon as possible
Nurses moved the child as gently as possible onto the bed.
pattern: as + adverb + as possible
The guide kept the path as clear as possible for visitors.
To save fuel, Dad drove as slowly as possible in traffic.
Lina wrote the sign as large as possible for older guests.
- as far as possible
is common when talking about limits, distance, or how fully a rule can be followed
- as much as possible
focuses on amount rather than speed or degree
- as best you can
is more direct and personal, especially in instructions
文法句型
as soon as possible
as quickly as possible
as clearly as possible
as far as possible
用法筆記
Restricted to the pattern as + adjective or adverb + as possible. Unlike adjective/1, it does not judge whether something is feasible; it asks for the greatest degree you can manage.
常見錯誤
3. able to happen or be true, but not certain; also able to seem reasonable in the
able to happen or be true, but not certain; also able to seem reasonable in the situation
Heavy rain is possible after lunch, so Maya packed a yellow raincoat.
It is possible that Mina took the wrong bus.
pattern: it is possible that + clause
Police are checking every possible cause of the warehouse fire.
Nora's excuse is possible, but the manager checked the bus times.
Mina's answer is possible, but she needs to show the math.
- likely
is stronger and suggests a better chance of happening
- probable
is more formal and also stronger than possible
- plausible
focuses on whether an explanation sounds reasonable
- conceivable
is more formal and often stresses that something can be imagined
- impossible
means it cannot happen or be true
- certain
means there is no real doubt
文法句型
it is possible that + clause
possible explanation
possible cause
possible answer
用法筆記
Often appears before nouns such as cause, reason, answer, or explanation, and in It is possible that.... Distinguish from adjective/1 when you mean 'can be done' rather than 'may be true or happen'.