effectively impossible

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "effectively impossible" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
It is used to describe something that is essentially impossible or extremely difficult to achieve. Example: "Due to the strict guidelines and limited resources, obtaining a visa for the country was effectively impossible."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

It is effectively impossible to tease out the specific effect of fructose in the diet because it is typically consumed on a nearly equimolar basis with glucose (e.g., as sucrose, or as a mixture in high-fructose corn syrup).

Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition

This task is effectively impossible (but their deep breathing puts them to sleep faster).

The New York Times - Magazine

But given the political environment, mergers between the players were effectively impossible, leaving little potential for further domestic expansion.

The New York Times

And in most cases, bankruptcy judges are prevented from revising mortgages, which means true relief may be effectively impossible.

The New York Times

This sounds, to my ear, like a rhetorical misstep.Big entitlements, once they are well in place, are effectively impossible to repeal.

The Economist

There are $19 million in claims pending against the police, which made it effectively impossible for the city to get insurance for any of its employees.

The New York Times

Today, most conservatives support a constitutional requirement that will only restrain spending but make tax increases effectively impossible, while continuing to permit tax cuts regardless of the deficit.

The New York Times

The Prime Minister has warned that negotiations will not be straightforward – many countries have conflicting positions and interests that could make hashing out a deal effectively impossible.

Independent

When traveling by air, it has become effectively impossible to avoid having a television set in one's line of sight either in the terminal or on the plane.

The New York Times

It is in fact one of the riskiest financial propositions in the contemporary media world and one that is effectively impossible to undertake alone.

The Guardian

They also argue that it is effectively impossible to remove anything once it has been published, as it can instantly be replicated via a screengrab.

The Guardian - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "effectively impossible", provide context to clarify the specific barriers preventing success. This adds credibility and clarity to your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "effectively impossible" when the situation is merely very difficult or challenging. Reserve the phrase for scenarios where success is genuinely unattainable due to practical limitations, not just a lack of resources or effort.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "effectively impossible" functions as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to describe a situation or task. It indicates that the subject is not literally impossible, but is rendered so due to practical constraints or circumstances. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

25%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "effectively impossible" is a widely used and grammatically correct adjective phrase that describes scenarios where achieving a desired outcome is practically unattainable due to significant constraints or obstacles. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and usability in written English. It is prevalent in News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business contexts. While not literally impossible, the phrase conveys a strong sense of unlikelihood, making it a powerful tool for expressing practical limitations. When using this phrase, ensure that the context clearly explains the hindering barriers, and remember that this description must be about a practical, and not theoretical impossibility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in effect, impossible

Similar in meaning, but places emphasis on the practical result being impossibility.

virtually unachievable

This phrase conveys a near impossibility, focusing on the lack of realistic possibility of achievement.

practically unattainable

Emphasizes the difficulty in reaching or obtaining something in a real-world context.

realistically infeasible

Highlights the impracticality of a plan or action when considering real-world constraints.

tantamount to impossible

Expresses that the situation is so close to impossible that it can be considered as such.

as good as impossible

Indicates a very high probability of failure, making success extremely unlikely.

out of the question

Denotes something that is not allowed or not possible, often due to certain conditions or rules.

beyond the realm of possibility

Suggests that something is not within the scope of what could conceivably happen.

unlikely to happen

Focuses on the low probability of an event occurring.

close to unrealizable

Implies that an idea or plan is on the verge of being impossible to bring into reality.

FAQs

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

Use "effectively impossible" to describe situations that are practically unattainable due to significant obstacles or constraints. For example: "Due to the outdated equipment, completing the project on time was "effectively impossible"".

What are some alternatives to "effectively impossible"?

You can use alternatives like "virtually unachievable", "practically unattainable", or "realistically infeasible depending on the context.

Is there a difference between "effectively impossible" and "actually impossible"?

"Effectively impossible" implies that something is impossible in practice due to specific circumstances, while "actually impossible" means it is impossible in theory or by definition. For example, time travel is arguably "actually impossible", while finishing a project with no resources is "effectively impossible".

When is it appropriate to use "effectively impossible" instead of "very difficult"?

Use "effectively impossible" when the obstacles are so significant that success is not a reasonable expectation. "Very difficult" is more appropriate when success is still possible, albeit with considerable effort or resources.