Monday, January 21, 2008 Seares: ‘Is it possible that . .’ By Pachico A. Seares News Sense
A NEWS source once said the most annoying question a reporter can ask him, next to being asked how much he stole lately from the Government, is that prefaced with “Is it possible that...?”
The news source finds it totally stupefying that many news reporters cannot use “possible” with precision.
“Possible” is something that exists or can exist, is done or can be done. And yet, the news source said, it’s often confused with “probable,” which is something likely to occur or be.
One may ask Mayor Tomas Osmeńa if it’s possible the gods would send a bolt of lightning to the Capitol or CICC, and maybe he’d say “not impossible.” Though the chances of being struck by lightning are as slim as winning a lotto grand prize, divine wrath can’t be ruled out.
Vast realm
The realm of the possible is vast, which may explain the loose use of the word but not the wrong slant of the story.
A Cabinet official was asked if it was “possible” the Palace would face another coup. His reply: “Of course, it’s possible,” which led to the next day’s headline —”Cabinet secretary sees coup.” A word-meaning mix-up coupled with a foot-in-the mouth slip.
Sometimes, “possible” is used loosely when the news reporter expects the news source’s answer to be fixed on what’s possible, not what’s probable.
When Tomas is asked if it’s “possible” he and Gwen would kiss and make up, it wouldn’t surprise anyone if he’d say “impossible!”
Distinction is blurred, as in the use of “can” and “may.” Can I spill this column over to the next page? I can but the opinion editor says I may not and the paper’s designer says I cannot.
