Native English Speaker- probability vs Possibility
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That's the funny part, I was hoping we will be discuss the reason for the delay but I was way wrong.
cheers,
Super
------------------------------------------ Too much of good is bad,mix some evil in it
But it's going to be the best bike shed ever. :laugh:
Did you ever see history portrayed as an old man with a wise brow and pulseless heart, weighing all things in the balance of reason? Is not rather the genius of history like an eternal, imploring maiden, full of fire, with a burning heart and flaming soul, humanly warm and humanly beautiful? --Zachris Topelius Training a telescope on one’s own belly button will only reveal lint. You like that? You go right on staring at it. I prefer looking at galaxies. -- Sarah Hoyt
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During one of my presentation the statement I wrote was " blah......., therefore the possibility of missing the deadline is very high". The whole discussion later was if I Should have used possibility or probability. My argument was that since its more on a gut feeling and guestimate , I used Possibility. IMHO probability should be used if its backed on the solid and valid statistical numbers. Your thoughts?
cheers,
Super
------------------------------------------ Too much of good is bad,mix some evil in it
For general English either word is fine. In an academic paper "probability" would be the better choice if you had stats to back it up, as you mentioned.
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It's still a binary construct though, and not a scale. Possibility of snow....there will be snow (1), there won't be snow (0). I will have to speak (1), I will not have to speak (0). Neither of those examples indicate a range. The probability of snow is high. The probability of snow is low. The probability of snow is 50-50. The probability of snow is almost certain. The probability of snow is highly unlikely.
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Well by that logic, then the OP is correct in using possibility: Either they will miss the deadline (1), or they won't miss it (0).
No, because the "possibility" was described as "high" which moves it from a binary construct to a scale.
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No, because the "possibility" was described as "high" which moves it from a binary construct to a scale.
I don't see why that matters.. you are just basically saying "there is a high chance it will be (1) rather than (0)". The fact you are including the likeliness of it happening does not change the fact it either will happen or won't happen (binary). Also, what about these examples[^]?