How to use "is it possible to"

What Does "is it possible to" Mean?

• The phrase "is it possible to" expresses a question about whether something is feasible, achievable, or likely. It introduces an inquiry about the potential for a certain action or state to exist.
• The meaning is compositional; each word contributes to the overall meaning, making it easily understood.
• Register: neutral

How to Use It

• Grammatical pattern: "is it possible to" + base form of a verb (infinitive without 'to')
• Typical objects, complements, or prepositions that follow: The base form of the verb is followed by whatever elements are necessary to complete the verb's meaning. This could include direct objects, indirect objects, prepositional phrases, etc.
• The components cannot be separated; the phrase functions as a unit.
• What sounds unnatural: Using a gerund (verb + -ing) after "to" is incorrect. Using the infinitive form with "to" twice (e.g., "Is it possible to to go?") is also incorrect. Using the past tense or past participle of a verb is incorrect as well.

Real-World Examples

"But is it possible to just disappear?" — The Guardian - Lifestyle

"But is it possible to be both?" — Vice

"How is it possible to achieve this kind of growth?" — eLife

"Is it possible to be too clean?" — The New York Times - Science

"Is it possible to ever comprehend it?" — The New Yorker

Examples sourced from https://ludwig.guru/s/is+it+possible+to

Similar Phrases and Alternatives

Phrase	Context
is it feasible to	More formal and emphasizes practicality.
is it likely to	Focuses on the probability of something occurring.
can you	More direct and informal, often used to request assistance.
is there a way to	Implies a search for a method or solution.
would it be possible to	More polite and formal, expressing a request or suggestion.
is it within the realm of possibility to	Very formal and emphasizes the outer limits of what's conceivable.
is it conceivable to	Formal; focuses on whether something is imaginable or thinkable.

Common Mistakes

• Using a gerund instead of the base form of the verb: "Is it possible to going?" (Incorrect). The correct form is: "Is it possible to go?"
• Omitting the word "to" : "Is it possible go?" (Incorrect). The correct form is: "Is it possible to go?"
• Using a bare infinitive after "to": "Is it possible to goes?" (Incorrect). The correct form is: "Is it possible to go?"
• Learners often struggle with the correct infinitive form following 'to', sometimes using a gerund or a bare infinitive instead.

Quick-Reference Summary

Expression	Meaning	Grammatical Pattern	Register
is it possible to	Expressing a question about the feasibility or likelihood of something	"is it possible to" + base form of verb	Neutral

FAQs

Can the parts of "is it possible to" be separated?

No, the phrase "is it possible to" functions as a unit and should not be separated. Inserting words within the phrase would disrupt its grammatical structure and meaning.

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How is "is it possible to" different from "can you"?

While both phrases inquire about possibility, "is it possible to" generally questions the feasibility of something in a broader sense, while "can you" is more direct and often used to request assistance or ask about someone's ability. For example, "Is it possible to travel to Mars?" explores the general feasibility, whereas "Can you help me with this?" is a direct request.

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What's the most common grammar mistake with "is it possible to," and how do I fix it?

A frequent mistake is using the gerund (-ing form) after "to" instead of the base form of the verb. For example, saying "Is it possible to going?" is incorrect. The correct structure is "is it possible to" + base form of the verb, so you should say "Is it possible to go?" instead.