essentially impossible

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "essentially impossible" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or task that is fundamentally unachievable, despite any attempts to make it possible. Example: "Given the current resources and time constraints, completing the project by next week is essentially impossible."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"The Greek situation is essentially impossible.

The Guardian

This makes a gentlemanly issue-centered discussion essentially impossible.

The New York Times

And yet, subversive works in Russia today are essentially impossible.

The New York Times - Books

Is it "essentially impossible" for GWI's claims to be accurate?

The Guardian - Tech

"The idea of thinking without feeling, making judgments without affect, is essentially impossible," he says.

University of California, Berkeley

"Doing a comprehensive analysis of it is essentially impossible at the moment".

The New York Times

You would have to get all of them to agree, and that's essentially impossible.

The Guardian - Tech

The paper is essentially impossible to read, like "Finnegans Wake," he added.

The New York Times - Arts

Rules set in Rome made it essentially impossible to dismiss these men.

The Guardian

"It's essentially impossible to present an olfactory stimulus that doesn't have an emotional valence to it".

The New York Times - Health

"These markets demand very strong monitoring and regulation, so strong that it's essentially impossible".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "essentially impossible" when you want to convey that something is not just difficult, but fundamentally cannot be done under the given circumstances. It adds a strong emphasis to the unlikelihood of success.

Common error

Avoid using "essentially impossible" when "very difficult" or "highly unlikely" would suffice. Overusing it can weaken its impact and make your writing sound hyperbolic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "essentially impossible" functions as an adjective phrase that modifies a noun or pronoun, describing something as fundamentally not achievable. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is usable in written English and describes something unachievable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

49%

Science

32%

Academia

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "essentially impossible" is a grammatically sound adjective phrase used to describe something as fundamentally unachievable. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in written English. It is frequently found in news, scientific, and academic contexts, indicating a neutral to formal register. When a writer wants to emphasize that something is not just difficult, but cannot be done under any circumstances, "essentially impossible" is a powerful and suitable choice. However, it should be used judiciously to avoid hyperbole. Alternatives like "virtually impossible" or "practically impossible" can be used to convey similar meanings with slightly different nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

virtually impossible

Indicates an action or event is so unlikely as to be considered impossible.

practically impossible

Emphasizes the lack of feasible means to achieve something.

almost impossible

Suggests a very high degree of difficulty, stopping just short of impossibility.

infeasible

Highlights the impracticality of a task or plan.

unachievable

Focuses on the inability to reach a desired outcome.

unattainable

Emphasizes the impossibility of reaching a specific goal or state.

out of the question

Highlights the impossibility due to constraints or limitations.

beyond reach

Suggests an event cannot be done with current resources or abilities.

not a chance

Indicates an extremely low probability or complete impossibility.

unworkable

Describes an action, plan, or solution that is not capable of being carried out or put into effect successfully.

FAQs

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

You can use "essentially impossible" to describe a task or situation that cannot be achieved. For example, "Given the current resources, completing the project on time is "essentially impossible"."

What is a good alternative to "essentially impossible"?

Alternatives include "virtually impossible", "practically impossible", or "almost impossible", depending on the nuance you wish to convey.

Is it correct to say "near impossible" instead of "essentially impossible"?

While "near impossible" is understandable, it is less formal and less emphatic than "essentially impossible". "Essentially impossible" conveys a stronger sense of impossibility. A more formal option would be "virtually impossible".

What's the difference between "essentially impossible" and "difficult"?

"Difficult" means requiring effort or skill to accomplish, while "essentially impossible" means fundamentally incapable of being done. If something is difficult, it can still be done with effort; if it's "essentially impossible", it cannot be done regardless of effort.