a near impossible task

USAGE SUMMARY

"a near impossible task" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe a task that is extremely difficult to accomplish. Example: "Completing the project on time felt like a near impossible task." Alternative expressions include "an almost impossible task" and "a nearly impossible task."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

32 human-written examples

It's a near impossible task to shortlist the highlights.

The Guardian - Travel

The antagonism Cruz inspired among many mainstream Republicans made this a near impossible task.

The Guardian

Sustaining dividends with oil at $36 is going to be a near impossible task.

The Guardian - Money

Finding the perfect birthday present for a tween is a near impossible task.

The New York Times

With so few Labour MPs having him backed him as leader, he could face a near impossible task.

The Guardian

Balancing these serious risks against the potential benefits including life prolongation in the final phase of someone's life must be a near impossible task for an oncologist.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

28 human-written examples

Actually executing this is a near-impossible task.

The New York Times

A near-impossible task faces an Ofsted inspector visiting an Ace school.

The Guardian - Opinion

There is no evidence that they have begun to grapple with a near-impossible task".

The Guardian

You're given a near-impossible task and bust a gut trying to do it.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"The first thing I said to the security council was: 'This is a near-impossible task.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a near impossible task" when you want to highlight that success is technically possible but statistically unlikely. It adds more dramatic weight than simply saying a task is very hard.

Common error

Do not use 'very' or 'completely' before this phrase. Since 'impossible' is an absolute and 'near' already acts as the quantifier, adding further modifiers like 'a very near impossible task' creates linguistic clutter and weakens the impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a near impossible task" functions as a complex noun phrase where "near" acts as a sub-modifier for the adjective "impossible". According to Ludwig AI, it is primarily used to categorize an objective that borders on the unachievable. It serves as a predicative or attributive descriptor of difficulty.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Social Media

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The analysis of "a near impossible task" through Ludwig reveals a robust, widely-accepted idiom used across the most prestigious English-language publications. While grammarians might occasionally debate the use of 'near' versus 'nearly', the overwhelming evidence from Ludwig AI shows that this specific construction is a staple of professional writing. It effectively communicates the gravity of a challenge while remaining grammatically sound in the eyes of contemporary editors. Whether you are describing a political strategy, a scientific hurdle, or a personal struggle, this phrase provides a powerful way to frame the limits of feasibility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a nearly impossible task

Uses the standard adverbial form to modify the adjective, often preferred by strict grammarians

a daunting challenge

Shift focus from the feasibility of the work to the intimidation factor for the person performing it

an insurmountable obstacle

Emphasizes that the difficulty cannot be overcome at all, rather than just being extremely hard

an uphill battle

Idiomatic expression focusing on the continuous struggle and resistance faced during the process

a tall order

More casual idiom used to describe a request or task that is difficult to fulfill

a Sisyphean task

Literary allusion referring to a task that is not only difficult but also endless and futile

a herculean effort

Focuses on the massive amount of strength or work required rather than the task itself

a grueling undertaking

Highlights the exhausting and punishing nature of the work required

an unfeasible project

More formal and technical term often used in business or engineering contexts

a mission impossible

A hyperbolic pop-culture reference used to describe a task likely to fail

FAQs

Which is correct, "a near impossible task" or "a nearly impossible task"?

Both are widely used and accepted. While "a nearly impossible task" follows strict adverb-adjective rules, the phrase "a near impossible task" has become a standard idiomatic unit in modern journalism and literature.

Should "near impossible" be hyphenated?

In formal writing, a hyphen is often used when the compound adjective precedes the noun, as in "a near-impossible task". However, many reputable sources like The Guardian frequently omit the hyphen without losing clarity.

What is a more formal way to say "a near impossible task"?

For academic or professional documents, you might consider using "a formidable challenge" or "an exceedingly difficult undertaking".

Can I use this phrase to describe a person?

No, this phrase is typically reserved for actions, goals, or situations. To describe a person who is difficult to deal with, use "a challenging individual" or "a difficult person".