almost impassable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "almost impassable" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a road, path, or area that is very difficult to traverse but not completely blocked. Example: "After the heavy rain, the dirt road became almost impassable, making it challenging for vehicles to pass through."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

29 human-written examples

"Almost impassable".

The New York Times

He has cleared downtown streets of illegal vendors who were making the sidewalks almost impassable.

The New York Times

In 2001, after more than two decades of war, Highway 1 was almost impassable.

The New York Times

They are mountain dwellers who live in small villages and isolated homesteads that are separated by almost impassable terrain.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Haig disregarded the well-founded forecast that, from the beginning of August, rain would be turning the Flanders countryside into an almost impassable swamp.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The dairy is five miles down an almost impassable track, and you would think milk would turn to butter long before it arrives.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

29 human-written examples

One of the worst is the virtually impassable "East-West Highway" that slithers almost past the door of the centre at Aluu.

The Economist

The street was nearly impassable with students.

The Guardian

Jacques Monod (1971, p. 159), who was far more interested in evolution and behavior than his fellow molecular biologists, remarked that consciousness is a "frontier, still almost as impassable for us as it was for Descartes… We today are no less in the habit of differentiating brain from mind than they were in the eighteenth century.

Evolution: Education and Outreach

Sunday's heatwave reduced people's energy in a different way, but the almost magical drying of previously impassable paths opened up the whole site to exploration.

Independent

He reminisced about downpours and impassable reaches of mud.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing conditions that make travel difficult but not entirely impossible, use "almost impassable" to convey the severity while leaving room for the possibility of passage.

Common error

Avoid using "almost impassable" when the route is completely blocked. Instead, use "impassable" to accurately reflect the situation. Be precise about the degree of obstruction.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "almost impassable" functions as a compound adjective that modifies a noun, describing the state or condition of something, like a road or path. It indicates that the noun is very difficult or nearly impossible to pass through, but not entirely blocked. This aligns with Ludwig's analysis, which validates its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Science

24%

Wiki

18%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

12%

Formal & Business

8%

Reference

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "almost impassable" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase that functions as a compound adjective. It describes something as being very difficult, but not entirely impossible, to pass through. According to Ludwig, its usage is validated across various contexts, primarily in News & Media, Science, and Wiki sources. The phrase is generally neutral in register, making it suitable for both formal and informal communication. Remember to use it accurately to convey the degree of difficulty without overstating the impossibility of passage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

nearly unnavigable

Suggests that passage is possible but very difficult, with a focus on navigation.

virtually unreachable

Emphasizes the difficulty in reaching a destination, implying it's close to impossible.

barely traversable

Highlights the minimal possibility of crossing or passing through something.

scarcely accessible

Focuses on the limited access to a place or object.

hardly navigable

Similar to "nearly unnavigable", stressing the difficulty in navigating.

tough to get through

Informal way of saying something is difficult to pass.

difficult to traverse

Highlights the difficulty in crossing or traveling through an area.

challenging to navigate

Emphasizes the difficulty of finding a route and proceeding.

presenting a significant barrier

Focuses on the impediment to movement or progress.

approaching unpassable

Indicates the condition is nearing a state where passage is impossible.

FAQs

How can I use "almost impassable" in a sentence?

You can use "almost impassable" to describe routes or areas that are extremely difficult to travel through but not completely blocked. For example, "The road was "almost impassable" after the heavy snowfall".

What is a good alternative to "almost impassable"?

Alternatives include "nearly unnavigable", "virtually unreachable", or "barely traversable", depending on the specific context.

Is it redundant to say "almost completely impassable"?

Yes, "almost completely impassable" is somewhat redundant. "Almost impassable" already implies a very high degree of difficulty. Sticking with "almost impassable" is generally more concise and effective.

Which is more accurate: "almost impassable" or "completely impassable"?

The choice depends on the specific situation. Use "almost impassable" if there is still a slight chance of passage, however difficult. Use "completely impassable" if the route is entirely blocked and no passage is possible.