achieving the impossible

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "achieving the impossible" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the act of accomplishing something that seems unattainable or extremely difficult. Example: "With determination and teamwork, we are on the verge of achieving the impossible in our project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

General Interest

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

25 human-written examples

It would be like achieving the impossible".

The New York Times

Many people thought that was tantamount to achieving the impossible.

The New York Times

But there are precedents for achieving the impossible.

The New York Times - Arts

Houdini's escape act was brand new and thrilling, allowing his name to become synonymous with achieving the impossible.

The Economist

Freed from the pursuit of achieving the impossible, writers have instead been inspired to calibrate Chekhov's work through their own standing ground.

The Guardian

But the most important thing Mars exploration will give us is a common goal for all mankind and the inspiration of achieving the impossible.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

35 human-written examples

The Suffragettes achieved the impossible.

Independent

"We've achieved the impossible," said Mostyn.

The Guardian - Sport

But if you achieve it, you've achieved the impossible!

The Guardian

It was the joke that almost achieved the impossible.

The Guardian

Perhaps Stein might have achieved the impossible — Toklas couldn't.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "achieving the impossible" to highlight a significant accomplishment against great odds. It adds drama and emphasizes the scale of the challenge overcome.

Common error

Avoid using "achieving the impossible" too frequently, as it can lose its impact. Reserve it for truly exceptional situations where the odds were overwhelmingly against success.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "achieving the impossible" functions as a gerund phrase, where "achieving" acts as a verbal noun. It describes the act of accomplishing something considered beyond the realm of possibility. As Ludwig highlights, the phrase is correct and used in various contexts to denote significant accomplishments.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Sport

20%

General Interest

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

3%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "achieving the impossible" is a grammatically sound and widely used expression to describe accomplishing something deemed highly unlikely or unattainable. According to Ludwig, it's considered correct and usable in written English. Predominantly found in News & Media and sports contexts, it often serves to highlight exceptional performances and inspire. While versatile, overuse should be avoided to maintain its impact. Related phrases include "accomplishing the unachievable" and "realizing the unattainable", offering similar meanings with slight variations in emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

making the impossible possible

Directly inverts the original phrase, highlighting the transformation.

accomplishing the unachievable

Emphasizes the completion of something deemed not possible to achieve.

realizing the unattainable

Focuses on making something real that was previously considered out of reach.

overcoming insurmountable obstacles

Highlights the act of conquering seemingly unbeatable barriers.

conquering the insurmountable

Uses a stronger verb to indicate overcoming a great challenge.

defying all odds

Stresses acting against a low probability of success.

triumphing against all expectations

Similar to defying expectations but stronger meaning.

breaking the mold

Implies surpassing established limitations and expectations.

defying expectations

Focuses on surpassing anticipated outcomes.

scaling the highest peak

Metaphorically express overcoming the highest challenge.

FAQs

How can I use "achieving the impossible" in a sentence?

You can use "achieving the impossible" to describe a situation where someone or something has accomplished something that was deemed highly unlikely or unattainable. For example: "Through dedication and perseverance, the team succeeded in "making the impossible possible"".

What are some alternatives to "achieving the impossible"?

Some alternatives to "achieving the impossible" include "accomplishing the unachievable", "realizing the unattainable", or "overcoming insurmountable obstacles". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "achieving the impossible"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. "Achieving" functions as a gerund, acting as the subject of the sentence or part of a longer phrase. The phrase "achieving the impossible" is widely used and accepted in standard English.

What is the difference between "achieving the impossible" and "attempting the impossible"?

"Achieving the impossible" implies successful completion of something deemed impossible, while "attempting the impossible" simply means trying to do something impossible, regardless of the outcome. "Achieving the impossible" signifies success; attempting the impossible does not guarantee it.