if not impossible

USAGE SUMMARY

"if not impossible" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to introduce a phrase or clause that qualifies the preceding phrase or clause. For example, "I want to go to the beach this weekend, if not impossible."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

unlikely if not impossible".

The New York Times

This makes reform hard if not impossible.

The Economist

Proving motive is difficult, if not impossible.

The Economist

That is doubtful if not impossible.

The Washington Post

That seems highly unlikely, if not impossible.

The Guardian

Predictions are hard, if not impossible.

The Guardian

That seems quite unlikely if not impossible.

The Guardian

"It would be difficult if not impossible".

The New York Times

Negotiating a new treaty would be arduous, if not impossible.

The Economist

The rule has proved difficult, if not impossible, to enforce.

The New York Times - Sports

That means reducing benefits is very difficult, if not impossible.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "if not impossible" to temper strong statements and introduce a degree of uncertainty or difficulty, showing nuanced perspective in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "if not impossible" excessively in casual conversation or informal writing; simpler phrasing may be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "if not impossible" primarily functions as a qualifier or hedge. It modifies a preceding statement, indicating a high degree of difficulty while acknowledging a remote possibility. Ludwig confirms this is a correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

37%

Formal & Business

11%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "if not impossible" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to express a high degree of difficulty or improbability. Ludwig confirms that it is correct and usable in written English. Primarily found in News & Media and Scientific contexts, this phrase serves as a qualifier, softening strong statements by suggesting a slight chance of possibility. When using this phrase, be mindful of the context and avoid overuse in overly informal situations. Alternatives include "if not unfeasible" or "if not unattainable". Remember, the key is to convey nuance and avoid definitive claims of impossibility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

if not unfeasible

Replaces 'impossible' with 'unfeasible', suggesting something may not be practical.

if not unattainable

Replaces 'impossible' with 'unattainable', focusing on the aspect of not being able to reach a goal.

if not implausible

Replaces 'impossible' with 'implausible', suggesting the action is unlikely to happen.

if not unachievable

Replaces 'impossible' with 'unachievable', emphasizing the lack of possibility to accomplish something.

if not hardly possible

Replaces 'impossible' with 'hardly possible', maintaining the sense of great difficulty.

if not remotely possible

Replaces 'impossible' with 'remotely possible', suggesting a very low probability.

if not unrealistic

Replaces 'impossible' with 'unrealistic', focusing on the impracticality of the scenario.

if not out of the question

Replaces "impossible" with "out of the question", emphasizing that the scenario is not a possibility.

if not a long shot

Replaces "impossible" with "a long shot", suggesting it will be difficult, and require an amount of luck to happen.

if not wishful thinking

Replaces "impossible" with "wishful thinking", indicating the idea is unlikely to ever happen.

FAQs

How can I use "if not impossible" in a sentence?

Use "if not impossible" to express that something is very difficult, while still acknowledging a slim chance of it occurring. For example, "Completing the project on time will be difficult, if not impossible".

What's a similar phrase to "if not impossible"?

Alternatives include "if not unfeasible", "if not unattainable", or "if not implausible", each subtly changing the nuance of the statement.

When is it appropriate to use "if not impossible" in writing?

It is appropriate to use "if not impossible" in situations where you want to convey that something is highly improbable or challenging, yet not entirely beyond the realm of possibility. This phrase works well in both formal and informal contexts, depending on the overall tone of your writing.

Is there a difference between saying "difficult if not impossible" and "impossible if not difficult"?

Yes, "difficult if not impossible" suggests that something is primarily difficult, but potentially impossible. "Impossible if not difficult" implies that if something isn't even difficult, it's definitely impossible, which doesn't make logical sense. The former is the more commonly used and logical phrasing.