all but impossible

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "all but impossible" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe something that is nearly impossible, indicating that while it may not be completely impossible, it is extremely difficult to achieve. Example: "The task was all but impossible given the time constraints and limited resources."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Ponti's building is an all but impossible structure to add to, so Libeskind didn't really try.

The New Yorker

Handicapping the runoff was all but impossible.

The New York Times

Traveling incognito is all but impossible.

The New York Times

The railway links are all but impossible.

The Economist

True economic recovery is all but impossible.

The New York Times

It is all but impossible.

The New York Times - Books

Historically, though, that's been all but impossible.

The New Yorker

Unfortunately, ASCII keyboards are all but impossible to find.

Apple I Replica Creation Back to the Garage

Declaring victory seemed all but impossible.

The Washington Post

Sustaining many lies is all but impossible.

The Guardian - Opinion

It proved to be all but impossible.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "all but impossible", consider whether an alternative phrasing like "virtually impossible" or "practically impossible" might be more suitable depending on the specific context and desired emphasis.

Common error

Avoid using "all but impossible" when something is genuinely and definitively impossible. Reserve it for situations where there remains a theoretical, however improbable, chance of success. For genuinely impossible situations, use stronger terms like "impossible" or "unachievable".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "all but impossible" functions as an adjective phrase that modifies a noun or pronoun. It describes the degree to which something is not possible. As Ludwig AI clarifies, it indicates something is nearly impossible, although a small chance still exists.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "all but impossible" is a grammatically correct and widely used expression to describe situations or tasks that are extremely difficult to achieve, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. While not stating absolute impossibility, it conveys a sense of near impossibility. The phrase is most frequently encountered in news and media sources. For alternative phrasings, consider using "virtually impossible" or "practically impossible". When employing this phrase, ensure the situation truly is nearly impossible rather than definitively so. This analysis should provide helpful context for understanding how to wield the expression "all but impossible" with more precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

virtually impossible

Indicates something is so close to impossible that the difference is negligible. The word 'virtually' emphasizes the near impossibility.

practically impossible

Highlights the practical difficulties that make something almost impossible. 'Practically' focuses on real-world limitations.

almost impossible

A more direct way of stating that something is extremely difficult, coming very close to being impossible.

nearly unattainable

Focuses on the idea that reaching a goal or achieving something is extremely difficult, almost beyond reach. Changes from a statement of impossibility to one of difficulty in attainment.

highly improbable

Shifts the focus to the low probability of something occurring, suggesting it is unlikely to happen. This is less absolute than 'impossible'.

scarcely feasible

Emphasizes the lack of feasibility, suggesting that something is barely achievable or workable. 'Feasible' implies a practical approach.

out of the question

A more direct and emphatic way of saying something is not allowed or not possible. The phrase has slightly stronger tone.

beyond reach

Highlights that something is unattainable, either literally or figuratively, implying it is too difficult to achieve.

slim chance

Reduces the possibility to a very small chance, indicating that success is unlikely. This is less definite than saying something is impossible.

unlikely to succeed

Focuses on the likely outcome, suggesting a low probability of success without explicitly stating impossibility.

FAQs

How can I use "all but impossible" in a sentence?

You can use "all but impossible" to describe tasks or situations that are extremely difficult to achieve. For example, "Finding affordable housing in this city is "all but impossible"".

What's the difference between "all but impossible" and "impossible"?

"All but impossible" suggests something is very nearly impossible but not quite, implying a slim chance of success. "Impossible" means there is absolutely no chance of success.

What are some alternatives to "all but impossible"?

Alternatives to "all but impossible" include "virtually impossible", "practically impossible", or "almost impossible".

Is it correct to say "anything is all but impossible"?

While grammatically correct, saying "anything is "all but impossible"" is generally too broad. It's more effective to use the phrase to describe specific tasks or situations.