可能性がある

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: Modify 可能性 with a clause and predicate it with がある to explicitly state the possibility of an event.
• Basic usage: 小さな傷でも放置すると広がる可能性がある。 states that even a small wound may spread if left untreated.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• An event's possibility versus ability
  • 大会で泳ぐ可能性がある says that swimming in the competition may happen. 泳げる describes ability or suitable conditions for swimming, so distinguish a possible event from the ability to act.
• Compared with おそれがある
  • Both 成功する可能性がある and 失敗する可能性がある are possible expressions. おそれがある concerns a feared result, so it is not an equivalent replacement for a positively anticipated possibility of success.