as impossible as

USAGE SUMMARY

"as impossible as" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to compare two different things which share the same degree of difficulty or impossibility. For example, you could say, "Baking a cake from scratch is as impossible as courting a dragon."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It seemed as impossible as time travel itself.

The New York Times - Sports

He added, "It is as impossible as anything can possibly be in Washington, D.C".

The New York Times

Access to this group was not as impossible as it might seem.

The Economist

Holding back the sea here seems as impossible as holding back the fog.

The New York Times - Science

To be in Indian politics and remain incorruptible seemed as impossible as squaring the circle.

The New Yorker

Although a long shot, the feat may not be as impossible as it once seemed.

The Washington Post

Those less inclined to be charitable describe it as "impossible," as "a political graveyard".

The New York Times

If he's well, it might not be as impossible as everyone thinks".

The Guardian - Sport

But pinpointing the cause of cancer is as impossible as unraveling a web of corruption.

The New York Times

Getting the projects I've described off the ground is not as impossible as it may seem.

The New York Times - Arts

It is a solution as impossible as any other.My poem is at least as crummy as Günter Grass's.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "as impossible as" to draw a vivid comparison between two seemingly unattainable scenarios, enhancing the impact of your statement. For example, "Trying to convince him is as impossible as teaching a cat to do algebra."

Common error

Avoid using "as impossible as" in highly formal or academic writing where a more precise or technical term might be more appropriate. In such contexts, consider alternatives like "highly improbable" or "theoretically unfeasible."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as impossible as" functions as a comparative adjective phrase. It's used to emphasize the extreme improbability or unachievability of something by likening it to another scenario that is equally unattainable. Ludwig AI provides numerous examples illustrating this comparative usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Wiki

18%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

"As impossible as" is a commonly used phrase for emphasizing the extreme improbability or unachievability of something by comparing it to another equally unattainable scenario. As highlighted by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and versatile, appearing frequently in News & Media, Wiki, and Science contexts. While generally neutral in register, it should be used judiciously in highly formal settings, where more precise language may be preferable. Remember to leverage its comparative power to create vivid and impactful statements.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

beyond the realm of possibility

Emphasizes that something is not possible in any conceivable way.

inconceivable

Conveys that something is difficult to imagine or believe.

virtually unattainable

Replaces "impossible" with "unattainable", emphasizing the lack of feasibility.

completely unachievable

Highlights the impossibility of achieving a specific goal or outcome.

highly improbable

Substitutes "impossible" with "improbable", focusing on the low likelihood of something happening.

simply not feasible

Focuses on the impracticality and impossibility of executing something.

out of the question

Indicates something is not worth consideration because it cannot happen or is not allowed.

not a prayer

Informally expresses that there is no chance of something happening.

a pipe dream

Suggests that something is an unrealistic or fanciful hope.

a lost cause

Implies that any effort to achieve something is futile.

FAQs

How can I use "as impossible as" in a sentence?

You can use "as impossible as" to compare two things that seem equally unachievable or unattainable. For example, "Finding a parking spot downtown is "as impossible as" finding a needle in a haystack".

What are some alternatives to "as impossible as"?

Alternatives to "as impossible as" include phrases like "virtually unattainable", "highly improbable", or "beyond the realm of possibility", which all convey a similar sense of improbability or difficulty.

Is "as impossible as" suitable for formal writing?

While "as impossible as" is grammatically correct, it might be perceived as informal in certain formal contexts. Consider using more precise or technical language like "theoretically unfeasible" or "highly improbable" in academic or professional writing.

What makes "as impossible as" different from "nearly impossible"?

"As impossible as" suggests something is entirely unachievable, whereas "nearly impossible" implies that while highly difficult, there's still a slim chance of success. "Nearly impossible" conveys a slightly lower degree of improbability.