hardly possible

USAGE SUMMARY

"hardly possible" is a grammatically correct phrase and is commonly used in written English.
You can use it to express that something is almost impossible. For example, "It is hardly possible that the project can be completed by the end of the week."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That was hardly possible.

The New York Times

But in organ works such temporary retuning was hardly possible.

Encyclopedia Britannica

That was hardly possible fifteen or twenty years ago.

The New Yorker

Since these concepts usually are hard-wired into the respective program code, reuse is hardly possible.

Information and Software Technology

Comparison with 'care as usual' is hardly possible, since 'care as usual' can vary a lot.

Zeitschrift für Evidenz, Fortbildung und Qualität im Gesundheitswesen

Decision-making is context dependent and requires expertise, rendering an automated evaluation process hardly possible.

Journal of Biotechnology

However, until now it was hardly possible to reliably estimate plant-available N in soil microsites.

Soil Biology and Biochemistry

He does this feat in an original, but hardly possible, way.

The New York Times

It's hardly possible a tiny brain organoid will feel or think anything, he says.

MIT Technology Review

And though it's hardly possible, I would like to be that next person, too.

The New Yorker

In the case of the Suez Canal an alternative route was hardly possible.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To give a more nuanced meaning, combine "hardly possible" with a conditional clause specifying under which circumstances something might become possible. For example: 'It's hardly possible, unless...'

Common error

Avoid using "hardly possible" when a situation is merely difficult or challenging. Reserve it for scenarios that genuinely border on impossibility to maintain its impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hardly possible" functions as an adverbial modifier, expressing a low degree of probability or feasibility. As seen in Ludwig, it qualifies statements, indicating that something is improbable but not entirely impossible.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

49%

News & Media

35%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "hardly possible" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed phrase that conveys a strong sense of improbability. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is suitable for various contexts, including scientific, news, and academic writing. While it indicates a low likelihood, it doesn't entirely negate the possibility, differentiating it from "impossible". When employing this phrase, it's important to ensure the context justifies the strong degree of improbability being conveyed. Understanding the nuances of "hardly possible" allows for more precise and effective communication. Remember not to use the expression when something is simply difficult but not actually close to impossible.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

virtually impossible

Emphasizes the near impossibility of an event or action.

highly improbable

Focuses on the low probability of something occurring.

barely feasible

Expresses a minimal chance of being achieved or implemented.

not realistically possible

Highlights the lack of realism in achieving a particular goal.

almost unachievable

Highlights the extreme difficulty in reaching a desired outcome.

unlikely to happen

States that the event is not expected to occur.

unlikely to succeed

Focuses on the low chances of achieving success.

scarcely attainable

Indicates that something is difficult to obtain or achieve.

improbable to realize

Implies doubt about the possibility of something being made real.

remotely conceivable

Suggests a slight chance, but still improbable.

FAQs

How can I use "hardly possible" in a sentence?

"Hardly possible" is used to express that something is very unlikely or almost impossible. For example, "It's "hardly possible" to finish the project by tomorrow given the current circumstances."

What's the difference between "hardly possible" and "impossible"?

"Hardly possible" suggests a very low probability, while "impossible" means something cannot occur under any circumstances. "Hardly possible" implies a slight chance, whereas "impossible" implies no chance at all.

Which is more appropriate, "hardly possible" or "unlikely"?

Both "hardly possible" and "unlikely" suggest a low probability, but "hardly possible" conveys a stronger sense of improbability. Use "hardly possible" when you want to emphasize the near impossibility of something and "unlikely" when you want to imply that the outcome is improbable but still feasible.

What can I say instead of "hardly possible"?

You can use alternatives such as "virtually impossible", "highly improbable", or "barely feasible" depending on the context.