is difficult if not impossible

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'is difficult if not impossible' is correct and usable in written English.
This phrase is often used to express the idea that something is very challenging, if not impossible. For example, "Climbing Mt. Everest is difficult if not impossible."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Proving motive is difficult, if not impossible.

The Economist

Perfection is difficult, if not impossible, to achieve.

The New York Times

The word is difficult, if not impossible, to translate.

The New York Times - Books

Surfing is difficult, if not impossible, without fins.

The New Yorker

But enforcement, especially of apps on smartphones, is difficult if not impossible, he and others said.

The New York Times - Tech

That kind of thing is difficult, if not impossible, to arrange over the telephone.

The Guardian - Money

Morgan scores high for easiness, and reviewers seem to agree that his class is difficult, if not impossible, to fail.

The New York Times

Wood writes that "it is difficult, if not impossible, to apply the physical notion of 'cause' to human action".

The New York Times - Books

Nearly two decades later, the precise human toll of these marketing decisions is difficult, if not impossible, to document.

The New York Times

It is difficult, if not impossible, to find an N.F.L. offensive lineman who would rather pass block than run block.

The New York Times - Sports

As a result, it is difficult — if not impossible — to determine just how much money they are spending.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "is difficult if not impossible", ensure the context genuinely reflects a situation that poses significant challenges, verging on impossibility. Overuse can dilute its impact.

Common error

Avoid using "is difficult if not impossible" when describing tasks that are merely inconvenient or require moderate effort. Reserve it for scenarios presenting truly exceptional challenges.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is difficult if not impossible" functions as a predicate adjective, describing the subject's state or condition. It emphasizes the extreme challenge involved, suggesting a task is either very hard or unattainable, aligning with Ludwig AI's assessment of correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

47%

News & Media

42%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "is difficult if not impossible" effectively communicates a high degree of challenge, often bordering on impossibility. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usability. Predominantly found in scientific and news contexts, this phrase serves to emphasize the significant obstacles associated with a task or situation. When writing, ensure its usage aligns with the actual level of difficulty involved to maintain accuracy and impact. While various alternatives exist, understanding their subtle differences can enhance precision in expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is a near impossibility

Directly states the situation is close to impossible.

is virtually unattainable

Emphasizes the high degree of improbability of achieving something.

is exceedingly challenging

Emphasizes the extreme level of difficulty involved.

is almost beyond reach

Suggests something is nearly impossible to obtain or achieve.

borders on the unachievable

Highlights the proximity to being completely unattainable.

presents insurmountable obstacles

Focuses on the obstacles and their apparently unbeatable nature.

is hardly achievable

Implies a low likelihood of success.

is fraught with difficulties

Focuses on the abundance of difficulties.

is a Herculean task

Uses a metaphorical comparison to a task of immense difficulty.

is a long shot

Describes a situation with very low odds of success.

FAQs

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

This phrase is used to describe tasks or situations that are exceedingly challenging, verging on impossibility. For example, "Predicting the stock market's behavior in the long term "is difficult if not impossible"."

What phrases are similar to "is difficult if not impossible"?

Alternatives include "is virtually unattainable", "is a near impossibility", or "presents insurmountable obstacles". Each conveys a similar sense of extreme difficulty.

Is it correct to say "is difficult if not possible"?

While grammatically sound, "is difficult if not possible" carries a different meaning. It implies that something might be easy, whereas "is difficult if not impossible" suggests a high degree of challenge, verging on impossibility.

What's the difference between "is challenging" and "is difficult if not impossible"?

"Is challenging" indicates a task requires effort and skill. "Is difficult if not impossible" suggests the task faces extreme obstacles and may not be achievable at all. The latter emphasizes a much higher level of difficulty and doubt.