far from impossible

USAGE SUMMARY

"far from impossible" is a perfectly correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to express something that is difficult, yet still possible. For example: "Winning the lottery may seem impossible, but it's far from impossible."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

That is not easy, but it is far from impossible.

The Economist

Making the two goals compatible is far from impossible".

The New York Times

His ideas by contrast are far from impossible.

The Economist

Such a trial would be unprecedented, but far from impossible.

The Economist

As daunting as such reform might be, it is far from impossible.

The New York Times - Magazine

History would suggest that a victory in November for Ms. Angle is far from impossible.

The New York Times

That's far from impossible, especially in a machine that records billions of collisions a second.

The Guardian

This is challenging, but far from impossible given the deep ideological divide that runs through the Brexit constituency itself.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

And it is critical that too few "war games" are being played by the Treasury, Bank of England and Financial Conduct Authority - or realistic simulations of how they would react in the far-from-impossible event that a vast bank, or insurer, money manager or hedge fund found itself unable to meet its obligations, and panic ensued.

BBC

Far from being "impossible", it is entirely possible – just stop doing it, and save millions of pounds.

The Guardian

The trick for them, and shaded differently for my own fictive university, is in developing this area correctly — historically, not Columbia's strong suit, but far from an impossible endeavor.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "far from impossible" to convey a sense of optimism when addressing potentially difficult but achievable goals. It softens the perceived challenge.

Common error

Avoid using "far from impossible" in situations where the outcome is already highly probable or obvious. Overusing the phrase can dilute its impact and make your writing sound unnecessarily verbose.

Linguistic Context

"Far from impossible" functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun or pronoun. It suggests that while something may seem difficult, it is still achievable. According to Ludwig, this phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "far from impossible" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed expression used to convey that while a task or goal may be challenging, it remains attainable. As confirmed by Ludwig, this phrase is suitable for various registers, primarily appearing in news and media, scientific, and formal business contexts. When seeking alternative expressions, consider options like "quite possible" or "easily achievable", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey. Remember that its strength lies in addressing potentially difficult scenarios, offering a sense of achievable optimism.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

quite possible

This alternative removes the negation, directly stating possibility.

easily achievable

This phrase emphasizes the ease with which something can be accomplished.

within the realm of possibility

This alternative is more formal and emphasizes the theoretical possibility.

not out of the question

This phrase suggests that something is worth considering, though not certain.

conceivable

This alternative indicates that something can be imagined or believed.

potentially attainable

This option highlights the potential for reaching a specific goal.

realizable

Focuses on the practical aspect of making something real.

not beyond reach

This alternative emphasizes accessibility and possibility.

plausible

This term indicates that something is believable or likely.

thinkable

Implies that something is within the range of consideration.

FAQs

How can I use "far from impossible" in a sentence?

You can use "far from impossible" to describe something that is difficult but still achievable. For example, "Although winning the competition seems challenging, it's "far from impossible" if you prepare diligently."

What can I say instead of "far from impossible"?

You can use alternatives like "quite possible", "easily achievable", or "within the realm of possibility" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "far from impossible" or "near to impossible"?

"Far from impossible" is correct and means something is difficult but achievable. "Near to impossible" is less common and suggests something is very difficult to achieve. The phrases have opposite meanings.

What's the difference between "far from impossible" and "unlikely"?

"Far from impossible" means that something is difficult, but still possible. "Unlikely" suggests that something has a low probability of happening. "Far from impossible" implies more hope or potential than "unlikely".