almost impossible task

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "almost impossible task" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a task that is very difficult to accomplish, but not entirely out of reach. Example: "Completing the project within a week felt like an almost impossible task given the amount of work required."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

It was an almost impossible task.

The New York Times - Arts

It's an almost impossible task.

The Guardian

It was an almost impossible task, by Sagan's own admission.

The Guardian

THOSE setting migration policy in rich countries face an almost impossible task.

The Economist

But finding the next Peter Lynch is an almost impossible task.

The New York Times

This last was an almost impossible task for a fledgling party.

The Economist

In early-twenty-first-century China, Dai had set himself an almost impossible task.

The New Yorker

Penney has set herself a brave and heartfelt but almost impossible task.

The Guardian - Books

To return, Coltrane-like, to where we started: Ratliff has set himself an almost impossible task.

The Guardian - Books

Restoring the house to exactly what it was in 1870 is an almost impossible task, though.

The New York Times

She also cites the fact that a comedy about cancer seemed "an almost impossible task.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To add emphasis and precision, quantify the level of difficulty or effort involved, using phrases like "requires significant resources" or "faces numerous hurdles" in conjunction with "almost impossible task".

Common error

Avoid using "almost impossible task" when the task is merely difficult but achievable with reasonable effort. Overstating the challenge can diminish credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "almost impossible task" functions as a noun phrase acting as the object of a verb or preposition. It describes a particular assignment or undertaking. It emphasizes the extreme difficulty involved in completing the task, suggesting that it is close to being unachievable. Ludwig AI confirms the expression is correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

88%

Science

6%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "almost impossible task" is a very common and grammatically correct phrase used to describe a task that is exceedingly difficult but not entirely beyond the realm of possibility. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and wide applicability. Predominantly found in News & Media, it serves to emphasize challenges or difficulties. When using the phrase, consider context, potential alternatives like "virtually insurmountable challenge", and avoid exaggeration. Understanding these aspects helps employ the phrase effectively in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

nearly unachievable objective

Replaces "task" with "objective" and uses "nearly unachievable" to emphasize the difficulty.

virtually insurmountable challenge

Substitutes "almost impossible" with "virtually insurmountable", highlighting the difficulty as a challenge that is very hard to overcome.

exceedingly difficult undertaking

Replaces "almost impossible" with "exceedingly difficult" and "task" with "undertaking", emphasizing the complexity of the endeavor.

highly improbable endeavor

Uses "highly improbable" instead of "almost impossible", focusing on the low likelihood of success.

formidable mission

Replaces "almost impossible task" with "formidable mission", suggesting a difficult and daunting assignment.

daunting prospect

Conveys the sense of something intimidating and challenging, similar to an almost impossible task.

herculean effort

Suggests that a task requires immense strength, courage, or effort to complete, similar to facing an almost impossible task.

tough ask

An informal way of saying something is very difficult to achieve.

close to unworkable project

The word "unworkable" is used instead of "impossible", focusing more on practicality.

exceptionally hard goal

Changes "task" with "goal" and utilizes "exceptionally hard" to indicate a significant challenge.

FAQs

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

You can use "almost impossible task" to describe a task that is very difficult to accomplish but not entirely out of reach. For example, "Completing the project within a week felt like an "almost impossible task" given the amount of work required."

What phrases can I use instead of "almost impossible task"?

You can use alternatives like "nearly unachievable objective", "virtually insurmountable challenge", or "exceedingly difficult undertaking" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "nearly impossible task" instead of "almost impossible task"?

Yes, "nearly impossible task" is a valid alternative. Both "almost" and "nearly" function similarly to modify "impossible", indicating a very high degree of difficulty.

What's the difference between "difficult task" and "almost impossible task"?

"Difficult task" implies a task that requires significant effort, while ""almost impossible task"" suggests a task that is so challenging it may not be achievable, highlighting a greater degree of difficulty and uncertainty.