borderline impossible

USAGE SUMMARY

"borderline impossible" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe a task or situation that is extremely difficult to achieve, but not entirely out of the realm of possibility. Example: "Completing the project in one week is borderline impossible given the current resources." Alternative expressions include "nearly impossible" and "almost unachievable."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

The odds of that are now borderline impossible.

The New York Times - Sports

It veers between being unlikely and borderline impossible, but the prospect of a Lib-Lab coalition refuses to die.

The Guardian - Opinion

He went on to list a number of cards which would be borderline impossible to do in a physical setting.

The Guardian - Tech

But today's schedule is borderline impossible - nowhere near enough time between shows, and way too much distance.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

And when being a governor is borderline impossible, a prudent person might try Connecticut over its neighbors.

The New York Times

"The inspiration from that tradition is: instead of being cautious, instead of taking on some idea for a new opera that's been cooked up by a marketing roundtable, let's make it bigger, gutsier, more audacious, more borderline impossible".

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

The itty-bitty waist can easily be interpreted as the latest example of Disney celebrating extreme, borderline-impossible, thinness--and more troubling still, James herself said she had to go on a liquid diet in order to squeeze into her corset.

Huffington Post

However, since most looted items typically go underground for a period of five to ten years, according to US Homeland Security, establishing whether a piece has been stolen at this stage is on the borderline of impossible, making any policy seem reactive, rather than preventative.  .

Vice

In the narratives, it is only the women with defects detected in the foetus who have access to this unique insight as to how the state of normalcy is dissolved and replaced by the unreal, impossible borderline state.

BioSocieties

Unfortunately, direct comparison against commercial methods is currently impossible, due to unavailable borderline comparison database.

BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making

These questions are impossible to answer because they involve absolute borderline cases.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "borderline impossible" when you want to emphasize that something is exceptionally difficult, but not entirely out of the question. It adds a nuance that acknowledges a slim chance of success.

Common error

Avoid using "borderline impossible" too frequently in formal or academic writing. While acceptable, overuse can weaken your argument. Opt for more precise language if the situation allows, such as "highly improbable" or "extremely challenging".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "borderline impossible" functions as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to describe its feasibility. It indicates that something is extremely difficult, bordering on being unachievable. Ludwig examples confirm its usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

24%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "borderline impossible" is a grammatically sound and frequently used adjective phrase that describes something as exceedingly difficult but not entirely unachievable. Ludwig analysis shows it has a neutral register and is commonly found in News & Media, though can also be used in scientific context. For situations where more formality is required, you may want to use "highly improbable" or "extremely challenging". Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is correct and usable in written English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

nearly impossible

Replaces "borderline" with "nearly", indicating a slightly less extreme degree of impossibility.

almost impossible

Uses "almost" instead of "borderline", conveying a very similar level of difficulty.

virtually impossible

Employs "virtually" to suggest that something is so close to impossible that it can be considered as such.

practically impossible

Indicates that something is impossible in practice, even if theoretically feasible.

close to impossible

Expresses the idea of being very near to the state of impossibility.

akin to impossible

Highlights the similarity to an impossible situation or task.

unlikely to succeed

Focuses on the low probability of success rather than outright impossibility.

highly improbable

Emphasizes the very low chance of something occurring.

scarcely feasible

Suggests that something is barely achievable or realistic.

approaching impossibility

Implies that a situation is getting closer to being impossible.

FAQs

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

You can use "borderline impossible" to describe a task, goal, or situation that is extremely difficult to achieve, but not completely out of the realm of possibility. For example: "Completing the project by the deadline is "borderline impossible" with the current resources".

What are some alternatives to "borderline impossible"?

Alternatives to "borderline impossible" include "nearly impossible", "almost impossible", or "highly improbable" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "borderline impossible" too informal for academic writing?

While "borderline impossible" is generally acceptable, it might be perceived as slightly informal in some academic contexts. Consider using more formal alternatives like "extremely challenging" or "highly improbable" for a more professional tone.

What's the difference between "borderline impossible" and "completely impossible"?

"Borderline impossible" suggests that there is a very small chance of success, while "completely impossible" indicates that there is no chance of success whatsoever. The term "borderline impossible" acknowledges a slim possibility, however unlikely.