almost impossible endeavour

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "almost impossible endeavour" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a task or goal that is very difficult to achieve, but not entirely out of reach. Example: "Climbing Mount Everest without supplemental oxygen is an almost impossible endeavour for most climbers."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Although oral presentations at scientific conferences (N=117) were usually successful (strategy 21), the requirements of the scientific world to publish in highly cited international journals were an almost impossible endeavour for PhD students in practice (strategy 22).

Health Research Policy and Systems

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

This enterprise appears almost impossible.

BMJ Open

It becomes almost impossible".

The New York Times - Sports

It is almost impossible.

The New York Times - Arts

That's almost impossible".

The New York Times

Second takes were almost impossible.

The New York Times

Communication would be almost impossible.

The New Yorker

Now it seemed almost impossible.

The New Yorker

— that makes adjustment almost impossible.

The New York Times

Breathing was almost impossible.

The Guardian

This is almost impossible.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "almost impossible endeavour", ensure the context reflects a task that is exceptionally difficult but not necessarily completely hopeless. It suggests a high degree of challenge that requires significant effort and ingenuity to overcome.

Common error

Avoid using "almost impossible endeavour" when describing something that is genuinely impossible. This phrase implies a small chance of success, so reserve it for situations where success is extremely unlikely but theoretically possible.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "almost impossible endeavour" functions as a descriptive phrase, modifying a noun (endeavour). It indicates that the endeavour in question is exceedingly difficult, nearly to the point of impossibility. Ludwig's analysis confirms the phrase's grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "almost impossible endeavour" is a grammatically sound way to describe a task that is exceedingly difficult, bordering on impossible. Ludwig confirms its correctness. While not a highly frequent phrase, it's found in scientific and news contexts. When using it, make sure the situation truly reflects a very high degree of difficulty, and consider alternatives like "near impossible task" or "virtually unattainable goal" to best suit the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

near impossible task

Focuses on the difficulty of the task itself.

virtually unattainable goal

Emphasizes the unlikelihood of achieving the goal.

extremely challenging undertaking

Highlights the demanding nature of the endeavor.

practically unachievable feat

Stresses the improbability of the achievement.

next to impossible challenge

Uses a common idiom to express high difficulty.

daunting prospect

Emphasizes the discouraging nature of the situation.

formidable obstacle

Focuses on the barrier preventing success.

herculean effort

Highlights the need for immense effort.

insurmountable barrier

Stresses the impossibility of overcoming the obstacle.

mission impossible

References a popular idiom indicating extreme difficulty.

FAQs

How can I use "almost impossible endeavour" in a sentence?

You can use "almost impossible endeavour" to describe tasks or goals that are incredibly difficult but not entirely out of reach. For example, "Climbing Mount Everest without supplemental oxygen is an "almost impossible endeavour" for most climbers".

What phrases are similar to "almost impossible endeavour"?

Similar phrases include "near impossible task", "virtually unattainable goal", and "extremely challenging undertaking".

Is "almost impossible endeavour" grammatically correct?

Yes, "almost impossible endeavour" is grammatically correct and understandable. It's a valid way to describe something that is exceedingly difficult.

When should I not use "almost impossible endeavour"?

Avoid using "almost impossible endeavour" if the task is definitively impossible. The phrase implies a slim chance of success, so it's best suited for situations with extreme but not absolute difficulty.