as good as impossible

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as good as impossible" is not correct in standard English usage.
It seems to be an attempt to convey that something is nearly impossible, but the phrasing is awkward and unclear. Example: "The task was as good as impossible given the time constraints we faced."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

In the cases of Busby, Lobanovskyi and Ferguson, though, it's as good as impossible.

The Guardian - Sport

Rob Sheffield of Rolling Stone pondered in his review whether Wilco had ever made a song as good as "Impossible Germany," praising how the song builds into a "twin guitar epic" in the mold of Television and Peter Green-era Fleetwood Mac.

Wikipedia

These budgets are also fixed or 'hard' so that overruns are as good as impossible.

Human Resources for Health

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

In the same interview, Moffat as good as admits that the "Impossible Girl" arc of her debut year served her poorly.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

[Grade resigned as chairman of the BBC in November 2006 just before the trust was due to take over from the governors.] Patten, who on 6 May announced his departure from the chairmanship after major heart surgery, was "as good as you can be in that impossible job.

The Guardian

As good as his word, the youngster had left, heading towards a fate it is impossible to foresee.

The Guardian

It's as good as the Knowledge.

The New Yorker

Will they be as good as mine?

The New York Times

Not as good as they were last year.

Independent

They were as good as gold Saturday.

The New York Times - Sports

He was as good as his word.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

While "as good as impossible" might be understood, it's better to use clearer and more standard alternatives like "virtually impossible" or "practically impossible" for enhanced clarity.

Common error

Avoid using non-standard phrases like "as good as impossible" in formal writing. Stick to established idioms and expressions to maintain credibility and clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as good as impossible" functions as an adjectival phrase aiming to describe a state or situation as being very close to impossible. However, Ludwig AI notes that it is not considered standard English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Wiki

33%

Science

34%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "as good as impossible" is a phrase used to express that something is nearly impossible. However, it is not considered standard English, as indicated by Ludwig AI. With only a few examples found across News & Media, Wiki, and Science contexts, it is a rare expression. For clearer and more effective communication, it's advisable to use alternatives such as "virtually impossible" or "practically impossible", especially in formal writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

virtually impossible

Replaces "as good as" with "virtually", emphasizing the near impossibility.

practically impossible

Substitutes "as good as" with "practically", indicating a high degree of difficulty.

almost impossible

Replaces "as good as" with "almost", directly stating the near impossibility.

borderline impossible

Uses "borderline" to suggest that something is close to impossible.

tantamount to impossible

Employs "tantamount to" to equate the situation with impossibility.

effectively impossible

Indicates that something is impossible in effect, though not necessarily in theory.

for all intents and purposes impossible

A more formal way of saying something is essentially impossible.

next to impossible

Expresses that something is close to being impossible.

scarcely possible

Highlights the extreme difficulty and improbability.

out of the question

Indicates that something is not allowed or not feasible.

FAQs

What does "as good as impossible" mean?

The phrase "as good as impossible" attempts to convey that something is nearly impossible. However, it's not standard English; alternatives like "virtually impossible" or "practically impossible" are clearer.

Which is correct, "as good as impossible" or "almost impossible"?

"Almost impossible" is more grammatically sound and widely accepted. While "as good as impossible" might be understood, it is not a standard expression. Use "almost impossible" for better clarity.

What are some alternatives to "as good as impossible"?

Instead of "as good as impossible", consider using "virtually impossible", "practically impossible", or "next to impossible". These alternatives are more common and easier to understand.

When should I avoid using "as good as impossible"?

Avoid using "as good as impossible" in formal writing or situations where clarity is crucial. Opt for more conventional phrases like "virtually impossible" to ensure your message is easily understood.