basically impossible

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "basically impossible" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation or task that is fundamentally unachievable or extremely difficult to accomplish. Example: "Given the current circumstances, completing the project by next week is basically impossible."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Basically impossible".

The Guardian

"It's basically impossible".

The New York Times - Sports

It's a basically impossible situation.

The New York Times

"But in Mauritius, it's basically impossible to avoid the sun".

The New York Times - Magazine

It is basically impossible to anticipate some things.

The New York Times

EK: The logistics of the operation seem basically impossible.

The Washington Post

Absent economies of scale, the dreamed-of cost savings are basically impossible to achieve.

The New York Times

It is basically impossible to realize so large mirrors from closed Wolter I shells which benefit from high mechanical stiffness.

Advances in Space Research

It's basically impossible to trawl back through months and months of tweets.

The Guardian

THARP -- I have a three-year timetable that is basically impossible to accomplish.

The New York Times - Arts

"It is going to be basically impossible to ascribe actual atmospheric effects to one or the other.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "basically impossible", ensure that the context clearly indicates the reasons for the impossibility. Providing specific details strengthens the statement and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "basically impossible" when the situation is merely difficult or challenging. Reserve it for scenarios where success is genuinely unattainable to maintain credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "basically impossible" functions as an adverbial intensifier modifying the adjective "impossible". It strengthens the adjective, indicating a very high degree of infeasibility. As Ludwig AI shows, the phrase is used to express that something is, for all practical purposes, not achievable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Science

12%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "basically impossible" is a common and grammatically correct way to express that something is highly unlikely or unattainable. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely used in news and media, as well as in scientific and formal contexts. While "basically" adds a touch of informality, the overall tone remains neutral. When using this phrase, be sure the context supports such a strong statement and consider alternatives like "virtually impossible" or "practically impossible" for similar but slightly less emphatic meanings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

virtually impossible

Indicates near impossibility, similar to "basically impossible" but may suggest a slightly higher degree of possibility.

practically impossible

Highlights the lack of practical means to achieve something, closely related to "basically impossible".

almost unachievable

Focuses on the difficulty in achieving a goal, implying a very low probability of success.

essentially unattainable

Emphasizes the fundamental barriers preventing attainment, similar to "basically impossible".

realistically infeasible

Points out the impracticality of something in a real-world context, resembling "basically impossible".

effectively insurmountable

Suggests that the obstacles are too great to overcome, conveying a strong sense of impossibility.

as good as impossible

An informal way of saying something is very unlikely to happen, close to "basically impossible".

out of the question

Indicates that something is not allowed or not possible, implying a firm rejection.

beyond the realm of possibility

Signifies that something is not within the range of things that could happen, expressing a strong impossibility.

inconceivable

Indicates that something is difficult to imagine or accept as possible, suggesting a high degree of improbability.

FAQs

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

Use "basically impossible" to describe situations or tasks that are fundamentally unachievable, such as "Given the current budget constraints, completing the project on time is "basically impossible"".

What can I say instead of "basically impossible"?

You can use alternatives like "virtually impossible", "practically impossible", or "almost unachievable" depending on the context.

Is it more accurate to say "basically impossible" or "completely impossible"?

"Basically impossible" implies a very high degree of difficulty, while "completely impossible" suggests no possibility at all. The better choice depends on the specific situation and the level of certainty you want to convey. You could consider "virtually impossible" or "almost impossible".

What's the difference between "basically impossible" and "highly improbable"?

"Basically impossible" indicates a very low chance of success, bordering on unattainable, while "highly improbable" suggests a low probability but still leaves room for the possibility of occurrence. In certain contexts, "extremely unlikely" could also be a suitable alternative.