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Possible vs Plausible

Definitions​

  • ‘Possible’ (adj) means ‘able to happen’.
  • ‘Plausible’ (adj) means ‘likely to be true’.

What’s the difference between ‘possible’ and ‘plausible’?​

Because they sound quite similar, these are two adjectives that are easily confused. Their meanings appear similar too, though it is important to understand the subtle difference.

  • When you refer to something as being possible, you make a judgment about how likely it is to happen (i.e. not certain, less than probable, but not entirely unlikely).
  • When you refer to a situation as being plausible, you make a judgment about how likely it is to be true (i.e. quite likely).

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How they’re used​

Example sentences with ‘possible’

  • The treatment involves possible complications.
  • Possible causes are lack of engagement and miscommunication.

Example sentences with ‘plausible’

  • This scenario was considered by authors as the more plausible.
  • This is a plausible explanation for the observed outcome.