Description

Does this seem possible to you that ?

Is It Really Possible? How a Tiny Preposition Shapes Our Thoughts, History, and Relationships

Imagine you’re in a meeting and a colleague asks, “Is this possible for you?” or “Does this seem possible to you?” At first glance, the difference looks trivial—a single preposition. Yet that tiny word can swing a conversation from empowerment to doubt, from factual inquiry to personal perception. In today’s post we’ll dig into why for versus to matters, explore a historic example where wording changed public opinion, and give you practical tools to communicate more clearly and compassionately.

1. “Possible for you” vs. “Possible to you”: The Grammar That Guides Mindset

• Possible for you → capability, eligibility, or feasibility.
• Possible to you → perception, belief, or personal plausibility.

The distinction is subtle but powerful: for invites an assessment of **ability**, while to invites an assessment of **perception**. Using the right one can either empower a person (“You can do it”) or inadvertently question their judgment (“Do you even think this could happen?”).

2. When a Question Shapes History: The 1994 Holocaust Survey

In 1994 the New York Times reported on a public poll that asked respondents, “Does it seem possible to you that the Nazi extermination of the Jews never happened?”
Critics quickly pointed out that the phrasing did two things:

1. It framed denial as a “possibility.” By asking “possible to you,” the poll suggested that doubting a well‑documented genocide was a legitimate personal belief, not a factual error.
2. It shifted responsibility onto the respondent. The question implied that if you didn’t think it was possible, you were somehow “wrong” or “uninformed.”

The poll was later re‑worded to: “Does it seem possible that this occurred?” – a subtle shift that removed the “to you” and placed the focus back on the historical evidence rather than individual perception.

**Takeaway:** A single preposition can turn a factual inquiry into a question of personal belief, and that shift can have real‑world consequences for public discourse, policy, and collective memory.

3. “It Seems Possible” – When the Phrase Works (and When It Doesn’t)

*Ludwig* and other style guides note that “it seems possible that…” is perfectly acceptable when you pair it with evidence:

> *It seems possible that renewable‑energy costs will fall below fossil‑fuel prices by 2030, given the 15 % annual decline in solar panel prices over the last decade.*

However, over‑reliance on “it seems” can erode authority. If you keep saying “it seems possible” without backing it up, readers may start to view your statements as wishful thinking. The trick is to:

1. **Anchor the phrase in data** – cite trends, studies, or expert opinions.
2. **Specify the conditions** – “if X continues, then Y becomes possible.”
3. **Balance optimism with realism** – acknowledge known barriers.

In casual contexts (YouTube reaction videos, office brainstorming sessions) “Does this seem possible?” works as a quick sanity check. In formal writing or policy work, replace it with stronger modal verbs (“could,” “is likely to”) and concrete evidence.

4. The Psychological Ripple Effect of “Possible to you”

A study highlighted on PsychCentral shows that when people feel their worldview is being interrogated (“Does this seem possible to you?”) they can experience a subtle form of alienation. In health care, for instance, a doctor who asks, “Does recovery seem possible to you?” may unintentionally plant doubt, especially if the patient is already anxious.

Contrast that with: “Do you feel recovery is possible for you?” – a phrasing that validates the patient’s agency and invites a collaborative plan rather than a judgment.

**Key insight:** The preposition you choose can either open a dialogue (for) or put someone on the defensive (to).

5. Five Actionable Tips for Clear, Empathetic Communication

1. Define your goal. If you want to assess ability, use **for**. If you want to gauge belief, use **to**.
2. Pair “seems possible” with evidence. Add a “because…” clause to prevent vague speculation.
3. Re‑frame negative questions positively. Instead of “Is this impossible for you?” ask “What would make this possible for you?”
4. Watch for emotional impact. In sensitive topics, avoid phrasing that could be read as “Are you really believing this?” – replace with “How do you understand this?”
5. Test your wording. Read the sentence aloud to a colleague and ask, “Does this feel like a challenge to my ability or my opinion?” Adjust accordingly.

Conclusion: Small Words, Big Consequences

Language is the scaffolding of thought. A simple switch from **for** to **to** can change a question from “Can you do it?” to “Do you think it can happen?” That shift influences self‑esteem, public opinion, and even the way history is recorded. By paying attention to these micro‑choices, we build bridges instead of walls—whether we’re drafting a research paper, conducting a therapy session, or just asking a friend, “Does this seem possible?”

**Your Turn:** The next time you hear or write “possible,” pause. Ask yourself: *Am I asking about capability or perception?* Then choose the preposition that aligns with the answer you truly want.

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*Inspired by linguistic research, historic polling mishaps, and modern psychology, this post aims to make the seemingly tiny matter of “for” versus “to” a tool for clearer, kinder communication.*

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**Further Reading**
– [The Holocaust Poll & Its Lessons – NYT Archive]
– [Preposition Power in Business English – TextRanch]
– [Empathy in Clinical Communication – PsychCentral]

Happy writing, and may your questions always land where you intend!