is almost impossible

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is almost impossible" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express that something is very difficult to achieve or accomplish, but not entirely out of the realm of possibility. Example: "Completing the project in just one week is almost impossible given the current workload."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It is almost impossible.

The New York Times - Arts

This is almost impossible.

The Guardian - Sport

Three is almost impossible.

The New York Times - Arts

That is almost impossible.

The New York Times - Sports

This question is almost impossible to answer.

The New York Times - Books

Now it is almost impossible to believe.

The New Yorker

"He is almost impossible to replace".

The New York Times

"Which is almost impossible," he said.

The New Yorker

It is almost impossible to imagine.

The Economist

That is almost impossible to believe.

The New York Times

To see one is almost impossible.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "is almost impossible" to express a high degree of difficulty or improbability, but acknowledge that a slight chance of success may still exist.

Common error

Avoid using "is almost impossible" when something is truly impossible. Instead, use "is impossible" to convey complete impossibility without any chance of success.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is almost impossible" functions as an adjectival phrase. It modifies a noun or pronoun, describing something as extremely difficult or unlikely. As Ludwig confirms, this expression communicates a high degree of improbability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Science

22%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "is almost impossible" serves to describe something as highly improbable or extremely difficult but not entirely out of the realm of possibility. It is grammatically sound and frequently used across various domains, from news and media to scientific and academic writings. Ludwig confirms that this phrase is correct and usable in written English. While alternatives like "is nearly impossible" or "is virtually impossible" exist, it's important to note the slight nuances in meaning they convey. When writing, remember that while the phrase indicates a low chance of success, it stops short of declaring something entirely impossible.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is nearly impossible

Changes 'almost' to 'nearly', offering a slightly different nuance of approximation.

is practically impossible

Replaces 'almost' with 'practically', emphasizing the real-world difficulty.

is virtually impossible

Substitutes 'almost' with 'virtually', highlighting the near impossibility.

is close to impossible

Rephrases the idea using 'close to', indicating a high degree of improbability.

is bordering on impossible

Expresses that something is approaching the state of being impossible.

is hardly possible

Uses 'hardly' instead of 'almost impossible', suggesting a low likelihood.

is not realistically possible

Adds 'realistically' to emphasize the lack of practical feasibility.

is of very low probability

Shifts the focus to the low chance of occurrence.

is against all odds

Emphasizes the adverse conditions making success unlikely.

is a long shot

Uses an idiomatic expression to convey a low chance of success.

FAQs

How can I use "is almost impossible" in a sentence?

The phrase "is almost impossible" indicates a very low probability of something occurring. For example, "Winning the lottery is almost impossible, but people still try".

What can I say instead of "is almost impossible"?

You can use alternatives like "is nearly impossible", "is virtually impossible", or "is highly unlikely" depending on the context.

What's the difference between "is almost impossible" and "is impossible"?

"Is almost impossible" suggests a very low probability but still acknowledges a slight chance. "Is impossible" means there is absolutely no chance of something happening.

When is it appropriate to use "is almost impossible" over "is very difficult"?

"Is almost impossible" emphasizes a higher level of improbability than "is very difficult". Use "is almost impossible" when the chances of success are extremely slim, while "is very difficult" suggests a challenging but achievable task.