Lesson 29 POSSIBILITY AND IMPOSSIBILITY



Lesson 29 POSSIBILITY AND IMPOSSIBILITY

1. Contingent adjective—a. Dependent upon conditions or events not yet established; conditional. b. Likely but not certain to occur. c. Happening by chance or accident. noun A representative group forming part of an assemblage: the Idaho contingent at the Democratic convention.

Related Word: contingency noun

Example: The sale of the house is contingent on a thorough structural inspection.

2. Eventuality noun—A possible event; possibility.

Related Words: eventual adjective; eventually adverb

Example: Wendy believes in being prepared for every eventuality.

3. Feasible adjective—a. Capable of being accomplished or brought about. b. Capable of being utilized or dealt with successfully; suitable; convenient. c. Likely; plausible.

Related Word: feasibility noun

Example: Napoleon never doubted that conquering Russia was feasible.

4. Implausible adjective—Not valid, likely, or acceptable; difficult to believe.

Related Words: implausibility noun; implausibly adverb

Example: Anna Devlin’s newest book is an entertaining though implausible mystery.

5. Inconceivable adjective—a. Incapable of being imagined, comprehended, or fully grasped. b. So unlikely or surprising as to have been thought impossible.

Related Words: inconceivability noun; inconceivably adverb

Example: At one time space travel seemed inconceivable.

6. Perchance adverb—Perhaps; possibly.

Example: Columbus thought that if he sailed far enough in the Atlantic Ocean, perchance he would reach India.

7. Preposterous adjective—Contrary to nature, reason, or common sense; absurd; senseless.

Related Words: preposterously adverb; preposterousness noun

Example: Months later we found out that Madeline’s preposterous tale was actually true.

8. Presumably adverb—By reasonable assumption; probably; likely.

Related Words: presumable adjective; presume verb

Example: The swallows will presumably return to Capistrano at the usual time this year.

9. Proclivity noun—A natural inclination or tendency; predisposition.

Example: Mozart showed a proclivity for music when he was little more than an infant.

10. Prone adjective—Tending; inclined. b. Lying face downward. adverb In a prone manner: lying prone on the floor.

Related Word: proneness noun

Example: “Of course Sam remembered you; he is just prone to forget names,” said Clayton.

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