Cool MateIt is possible vs Realistic
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
It is possible
Beyond 10,000 (less common)
Realistic
Top 2,000 (common)B2adjective
Most common: Realistic
| It is possible | Realistic | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //ɪt ɪz ˈpɒsəbl//🇺🇸 //ɪt ɪz ˈpɑsəbl// | 🇬🇧 /["/ˌriːəˈlɪstɪk//ˌrɪəˈlɪstɪk/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˌriːəˈlɪstɪk/"]/ |
| Meaning | It can happen | Something that is true to life and believable. |
| Example | It is possible to learn a new language at any age. | The movie presented a realistic portrayal of life in the city. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Beyond 10,000 (less common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | - | B2 |
| Part of speech | adjective | |
| Collocations | it is possible to, it is possible that, possible solution, possible outcome, possible improvement | be, seem, keep something, extremely, very, fairly, about, in, it is not realistic to expect, think, etc. something, be, seem, keep something, extremely, very, fairly, about, in, it is not realistic to expect, think, etc. something, appear, be, look, extremely, fairly, very |
| Antonyms | - | unrealistic, impractical, fanciful |
| Common mistakes | Using 'possible' without 'it is' to sound complete, e.g., 'Possible that we win.', Confusing with 'likely' which indicates probability, not just potential., Overusing in casual conversations where simpler phrases like 'we can' might fit better. | Confuse with 'real' when describing something that exists rather than its believability., Use incorrectly in exaggerated contexts, e.g., saying a fantasy movie is 'realistic'., Misapply it to personal feelings instead of situations or representations. |
| Usage notes | This phrase is used to express potential or ability. It is appropriate in both spoken and written contexts, but can be more formal in academic settings. | Use 'realistic' to describe expectations, art, or situations that seem genuine. It's appropriate for both casual and professional contexts, but avoid it in overly formal writing. |
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Frequently asked questions: It is possible vs Realistic
What's the difference between It is possible and Realistic?
It is possible: It can happen Realistic: Something that is true to life and believable.
Which is more common: It is possible and Realistic?
Realistic is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
It is possible: It is possible to learn a new language at any age. Realistic: The movie presented a realistic portrayal of life in the city.
Can I use It is possible and Realistic interchangeably?
Not always. It is possible and Realistic are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.