almost impossible to overstate

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "almost impossible to overstate" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when emphasizing the significance or importance of something to the point where it feels like it cannot be exaggerated. Example: "The impact of climate change on our planet is almost impossible to overstate; it affects every aspect of our lives."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

Hamilton's influence is almost impossible to overstate.

The Guardian

It's almost impossible to overstate how instrumental PBS has been in my development and instruction.

The New York Times

"The importance of your state to our party is almost impossible to overstate," Mr. Rubio said.

The New York Times

His own contribution to that history is, of course, almost impossible to overstate.

Independent

It would be almost impossible to overstate the influence of "Maus" among other artists.

The New York Times - Magazine

It's almost impossible to overstate the role that TV has played in determining our taste in sports.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

It is nearly impossible to overstate the impact of those delirious few weeks around Super Bowl Sunday.

The New York Times

Nearly 40 years on, its impossible to overstate the global significance of "the other 9/11".

The Guardian - Opinion

It is impossible to overstate the importance of Garnett.

The New York Times - Sports

It would be impossible to overstate the usefulness of string.

The New Yorker

Bale's importance to Wales is impossible to overstate.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "almost impossible to overstate" when you want to emphasize that something is so significant or important that it's difficult to exaggerate its impact. It adds weight to your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "almost impossible to overstate" in situations where the subject's significance is not genuinely profound. Overusing it can diminish its impact when used appropriately.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "almost impossible to overstate" functions as an intensifier, emphasizing the magnitude or importance of a particular subject. Ludwig provides examples where it is used to highlight the profound effect of events, innovations, or people.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "almost impossible to overstate" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression to highlight the significance of a subject. Ludwig's analysis indicates that the phrase functions as an intensifier, commonly appearing in news and media contexts. While its register is generally neutral, its usage extends across professional and, to a lesser degree, academic domains. When using this phrase, ensure the context genuinely warrants such a strong emphasis to avoid diminishing its impact. Alternatives like "hard to exaggerate" or "cannot be overstated" can be used depending on the desired nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

virtually impossible to overstate

Changes "almost" to "virtually", implying a slightly stronger degree of impossibility.

nearly impossible to overstate

Substitutes "almost" with "nearly", offering a very similar meaning and level of emphasis.

hard to exaggerate

Replaces the entire phrase with a more concise expression conveying the same idea.

difficult to overemphasize

Uses "difficult to overemphasize" to express the idea that something's importance is hard to stress too much.

cannot be overstated

Uses a passive construction to convey that the importance or significance is so high that it can't be expressed too strongly.

of utmost importance

Indicates something has the highest level of importance.

extremely significant

Highlights the significance of something in a strong manner.

critically important

Emphasizes that something is essential and crucial.

tremendously important

Stresses the high level of importance or impact of something.

hugely important

Highlights the vast importance of something

FAQs

How can I use "almost impossible to overstate" in a sentence?

You can use "almost impossible to overstate" to emphasize the significance or importance of something. For example: "It's almost impossible to overstate the impact of social media on modern communication."

What are some alternatives to "almost impossible to overstate"?

Alternatives include "hard to exaggerate", "difficult to overemphasize", or "cannot be overstated".

When is it appropriate to use "almost impossible to overstate"?

Use it when you genuinely believe that the importance or impact of something is so significant that it is difficult to exaggerate. Ensure the context warrants such a strong statement.

What is the difference between "almost impossible to overstate" and "impossible to overstate"?

"Almost impossible to overstate" suggests that there might be a slight possibility of exaggeration, while "impossible to overstate" implies that exaggeration is entirely out of the question. The former is slightly less absolute.