almost defies intervention

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "almost defies intervention" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or condition that is so extreme or unusual that it seems resistant to being changed or influenced. Example: "The chaos in the city during the festival almost defies intervention, as the crowds surged and the energy was palpable."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

That almost defies intervention.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

It almost defies belief.

The New York Times

It almost defies credibility.

The New York Times - Sports

The plot almost defies summary.

The Guardian - Books

The plot almost defies description.

The Guardian

The sheer scale of the disaster almost defies comprehension.

The New York Times

Still, our local cascade of gubernatorial catastrophe almost defies belief.

The New York Times

This almost defies comment, but not quite.

The Guardian

To her, Virginia Beach almost defies description.

The New York Times - Magazine

And his 28-yard touchdown catch over Arizona's Jamell Fleming almost defies description.

The New York Times - Sports

The United Palace, at 4140 Broadway at West 175th Street, was a Depression-era riot of architecture that almost defies description.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "almost defies intervention", ensure the context clearly establishes the reasons why intervention is so difficult. Provide specific details to strengthen your argument.

Common error

Avoid using "almost defies intervention" when the situation merely presents challenges, rather than near-impossibilities. Reserve it for scenarios where the obstacles are exceptionally formidable.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "almost defies intervention" functions as a descriptive qualifier, modifying a noun or situation to emphasize the extreme difficulty or near impossibility of influencing or changing it. It highlights the intractability of the subject.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "almost defies intervention" is a grammatically sound expression used to describe situations that are exceptionally difficult to change or influence. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable in written English, although it appears relatively infrequently. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, it suggests a severe level of intractability. For writers seeking alternative expressions, phrases such as "nearly precludes intervention" or "renders intervention extremely difficult" may offer similar connotations while diversifying their language. When employing "almost defies intervention", be sure that the context genuinely warrants such a strong depiction of resistance to change.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

nearly precludes intervention

Replaces 'almost defies' with 'nearly precludes', suggesting a strong limitation on intervention.

virtually prevents intervention

Substitutes 'almost defies' with 'virtually prevents', indicating a very high likelihood of preventing intervention.

practically negates intervention

Replaces 'almost defies' with 'practically negates', emphasizing the ineffectiveness of intervention.

renders intervention extremely difficult

Rephrases the original to focus on the difficulty of intervening.

makes intervention nearly impossible

Expresses the idea of intervention being on the verge of impossibility.

severely limits the possibility of intervention

Highlights the severe limitations placed on any potential intervention.

significantly impedes intervention

Focuses on the significant hindrance to intervention.

substantially hinders intervention

Similar to the previous, but with a slightly different emphasis on hindering.

intervention is hardly feasible

Indicates that intervention is unlikely to be successful or practical.

intervention faces insurmountable obstacles

Suggests that there are obstacles that cannot be overcome, making intervention unlikely.

FAQs

How can I use "almost defies intervention" in a sentence?

Use "almost defies intervention" to describe situations or problems that are extremely difficult to influence or resolve. For instance, "The level of corruption in the government "almost defies intervention", making reform nearly impossible."

What does "almost defies intervention" mean?

It means that a situation is so challenging or complex that it is exceedingly difficult, if not practically impossible, to change or improve it through deliberate actions or involvement.

What are some alternatives to saying "almost defies intervention"?

You can use alternatives like "nearly precludes intervention", "virtually prevents intervention", or "renders intervention extremely difficult" depending on the context.

Is "almost defies intervention" a formal or informal expression?

"Almost defies intervention" leans towards a neutral to formal register. While understandable in informal contexts, it's more suited to professional, academic, or journalistic writing due to its analytical and somewhat elevated tone.