Difference between probability and possibilty
I often get confused with the mentioned words as I am not a native English speaker and I don't know what they actually mean.
From wordkinck,
Possibility: The quality or condition of being probable
Probability: The fact or state of being possible.
Which seems a paradox to me as the word is present on its own definition.
From Cambridge Dictionary
Probability: The level of possibility of something happening or being true.
Possibility: A chance that something may happen or be true.
So my questions are,
- What they mean literally?
- When and where to use them or not?
word-choice
asked 5 hours ago
muhammadmuhammad
1033
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I often get confused with the mentioned words as I am not a native English speaker and I don't know what they actually mean.
From wordkinck,
Possibility: The quality or condition of being probable
Probability: The fact or state of being possible.
Which seems a paradox to me as the word is present on its own definition.
From Cambridge Dictionary
Probability: The level of possibility of something happening or being true.
Possibility: A chance that something may happen or be true.
So my questions are,
- What they mean literally?
- When and where to use them or not?
word-choice
asked 5 hours ago
muhammadmuhammad
1033
New contributor
muhammad is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
add a comment |
I often get confused with the mentioned words as I am not a native English speaker and I don't know what they actually mean.
From wordkinck,
Possibility: The quality or condition of being probable
Probability: The fact or state of being possible.
Which seems a paradox to me as the word is present on its own definition.
From Cambridge Dictionary
Probability: The level of possibility of something happening or being true.
Possibility: A chance that something may happen or be true.
So my questions are,
- What they mean literally?
- When and where to use them or not?
word-choice
asked 5 hours ago
muhammadmuhammad
1033
New contributor
muhammad is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
I often get confused with the mentioned words as I am not a native English speaker and I don't know what they actually mean.
From wordkinck,
Possibility: The quality or condition of being probable
Probability: The fact or state of being possible.
Which seems a paradox to me as the word is present on its own definition.
From Cambridge Dictionary
Probability: The level of possibility of something happening or being true.
Possibility: A chance that something may happen or be true.
So my questions are,
- What they mean literally?
- When and where to use them or not?
word-choice
word-choice
asked 5 hours ago
muhammadmuhammad
1033
New contributor
muhammad is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
asked 5 hours ago
muhammadmuhammad
1033
New contributor
muhammad is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
asked 5 hours ago
muhammadmuhammad
1033
New contributor
muhammad is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
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asked 5 hours ago
muhammadmuhammad
1033
asked 5 hours ago
muhammadmuhammad
1033
1033
New contributor
muhammad is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
New contributor
muhammad is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
muhammad is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
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1 Answer
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I’d use probability as a quantifiable, mathematical term. If I spoke about probability, I might be talking about numerical odds or chances: e.g. one chance in six or even Bayesian probability. I don’t use possibility in that way, it is more qualitative.
One way to understand the more slight differences in common meaning is to consider the related words impossible and improbable. Sherlock Holmes said:
"How often have I said to you that when you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth?"
From that, we can deduce:
Impossible - cannot be done
Improbable - unlikely to be done
Possible - can be done (but may be unlikely)
Probable - likely to be done (and likelihood can be measured mathematically)
answered 1 hour ago
PamPam
4,4831731
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I’d use probability as a quantifiable, mathematical term. If I spoke about probability, I might be talking about numerical odds or chances: e.g. one chance in six or even Bayesian probability. I don’t use possibility in that way, it is more qualitative.
One way to understand the more slight differences in common meaning is to consider the related words impossible and improbable. Sherlock Holmes said:
"How often have I said to you that when you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth?"
From that, we can deduce:
Impossible - cannot be done
Improbable - unlikely to be done
Possible - can be done (but may be unlikely)
Probable - likely to be done (and likelihood can be measured mathematically)
answered 1 hour ago
PamPam
4,4831731
add a comment |
I’d use probability as a quantifiable, mathematical term. If I spoke about probability, I might be talking about numerical odds or chances: e.g. one chance in six or even Bayesian probability. I don’t use possibility in that way, it is more qualitative.
One way to understand the more slight differences in common meaning is to consider the related words impossible and improbable. Sherlock Holmes said:
"How often have I said to you that when you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth?"
From that, we can deduce:
Impossible - cannot be done
Improbable - unlikely to be done
Possible - can be done (but may be unlikely)
Probable - likely to be done (and likelihood can be measured mathematically)
answered 1 hour ago
PamPam
4,4831731
add a comment |
I’d use probability as a quantifiable, mathematical term. If I spoke about probability, I might be talking about numerical odds or chances: e.g. one chance in six or even Bayesian probability. I don’t use possibility in that way, it is more qualitative.
One way to understand the more slight differences in common meaning is to consider the related words impossible and improbable. Sherlock Holmes said:
"How often have I said to you that when you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth?"
From that, we can deduce:
Impossible - cannot be done
Improbable - unlikely to be done
Possible - can be done (but may be unlikely)
Probable - likely to be done (and likelihood can be measured mathematically)
answered 1 hour ago
PamPam
4,4831731
I’d use probability as a quantifiable, mathematical term. If I spoke about probability, I might be talking about numerical odds or chances: e.g. one chance in six or even Bayesian probability. I don’t use possibility in that way, it is more qualitative.
One way to understand the more slight differences in common meaning is to consider the related words impossible and improbable. Sherlock Holmes said:
"How often have I said to you that when you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth?"
From that, we can deduce:
Impossible - cannot be done
Improbable - unlikely to be done
Possible - can be done (but may be unlikely)
Probable - likely to be done (and likelihood can be measured mathematically)
answered 1 hour ago
PamPam
4,4831731
answered 1 hour ago
PamPam
4,4831731
answered 1 hour ago
PamPam
4,4831731
answered 1 hour ago
PamPam
4,4831731
4,4831731
add a comment |
add a comment |
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