almost impossible to strike

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "almost impossible to strike" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or target that is very difficult to hit or achieve. Example: "In this game, the moving target is almost impossible to strike, making it a true test of skill."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

He was almost impossible to strike out.

The Guardian

It leaves the enlightened balance between the two that was arrived at in Germany almost impossible to strike.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

They are almost impossible to take in.

The Guardian - Arts

"The result was almost impossible to take.

BBC

It was almost impossible to move.

Huffington Post

The people who began using knives in sporadic but almost daily attacks this month have been described by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as "lone wolves," their anger ignited by Facebook postings and shared on social media, making it almost impossible to predict who will strike next.

Huffington Post

Also, you kinda need 'em since it's almost impossible to dodge his air strikes.

WikiHow

It is almost impossible to predict where our enemies will strike next.

The New York Times - Magazine

Trident vessels currently provide a nuclear deterrent because the submarines, under the waves in secret locations, would be almost impossible to destroy in a pre-emptive strike.

BBC

Even countries like France and Britain, who've led the mission, seem worried in case Col Gaddafi's forces dig themselves in shielded by civilians from air strikes and become almost impossible to dislodge.

BBC

Mrs Obama comes across as short-tempered, overbearing, needlessly extravagant and almost impossible to satisfy … Kantor digs for detail and strikes gold".

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a target that is difficult to hit, consider the context and choose a synonym that best reflects the degree of difficulty. For example, use "virtually impossible" for something nearly unattainable, and "extremely difficult" for something very challenging but achievable.

Common error

Avoid using "absolutely impossible" when "almost impossible to strike" is more accurate. "Absolutely impossible" suggests that success is entirely out of the question, while "almost impossible" acknowledges a slim chance of success.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "almost impossible to strike" primarily functions as an adjectival phrase modifying a noun, often an implied or stated target. According to Ludwig AI, it describes something that is very difficult to hit or achieve.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Wiki

33%

Science

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "almost impossible to strike" is a grammatically sound and understandable expression used to convey a very high degree of difficulty in hitting a target or achieving a goal. Ludwig AI indicates that it is most frequently found in news and media contexts, though its overall occurrence is rare. When using this phrase, it is important to consider whether a synonym may better reflect the nuance of difficulty you wish to express, and to avoid overstating the impossibility of the situation. While grammatically correct, be mindful of the potential for hyperbole.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

virtually impossible to hit

Replaces "almost" with "virtually", emphasizing the near impossibility of the action.

nearly impossible to strike

Substitutes "almost" with "nearly", indicating a slight variation in the degree of difficulty.

close to impossible to strike

Rephrases using "close to impossible" maintaining the meaning of near impossibility.

extremely difficult to hit

Replaces "almost impossible" with "extremely difficult", focusing on the high level of difficulty.

exceedingly hard to strike

Emphasizes the intensity of the difficulty through the use of "exceedingly" and "hard".

exceptionally challenging to strike

Highlights the demanding nature of the action, using "challenging" to convey the difficulty.

a Herculean task to strike

Uses a metaphor to describe the immense difficulty, comparing it to the labors of Hercules.

unlikely to be hit

Shifts the focus to the low probability of success.

scarcely possible to strike

Emphasizes the rarity and improbability of successfully striking the target.

vanishingly unlikely to strike

Highlights the extremely low probability of successfully striking, using "vanishingly" for emphasis.

FAQs

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

You can use "almost impossible to strike" to describe something that is very difficult but not entirely impossible to hit or achieve. For example: "The target was so small and fast that it was "almost impossible to strike"."

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

Alternatives include "virtually impossible to hit", "nearly impossible to strike", or "extremely difficult to hit". The choice depends on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "almost impossible to strike"?

Yes, "almost impossible to strike" is grammatically correct. It follows standard English sentence structure and uses modifiers appropriately.

What is the difference between "almost impossible to strike" and "completely impossible to strike"?

"Almost impossible to strike" implies that there is a very slight chance of success, while "completely impossible to strike" means there is absolutely no chance of success. The former allows for a theoretical possibility, while the latter asserts absolute impossibility.