is nearly impossible

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is nearly impossible" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express that something is very difficult to achieve or accomplish, but not entirely out of the realm of possibility. Example: "Finding a parking spot in this busy area during peak hours is nearly impossible."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

It is nearly impossible.

The New York Times - Health

Travel is nearly impossible.

The Guardian - Opinion

11 is nearly impossible.

The New York Times

Trying to overcome both is nearly impossible.

The New York Times - Sports

Yet contact with them is nearly impossible.

The New York Times - Arts

Organizing strikes, he said, is nearly impossible.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

It's nearly impossible.

The New York Times

Escape was nearly impossible.

The New York Times

That would be nearly impossible.

Independent

Now it's nearly impossible".

The New York Times

Eating and speaking were nearly impossible.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "is nearly impossible" when you want to convey that something is extremely difficult, but not entirely out of the question. This phrasing leaves a small window of possibility open.

Common error

Avoid using "is nearly impossible" when something is genuinely, absolutely impossible. Choose a more definitive phrase like "is completely impossible" in such cases to maintain accuracy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is nearly impossible" functions as a predicate adjective, describing the subject as having an extremely high degree of difficulty. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Science

20%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "is nearly impossible" is a versatile expression used to describe situations or tasks that are exceedingly difficult, though not entirely devoid of hope. Ludwig AI indicates that it is grammatically sound and commonly used. Predominantly found in News & Media, Science, and Academic contexts, this phrase effectively conveys the magnitude of a challenge. While alternatives like "is virtually impossible" or "is almost impossible" exist, "is nearly impossible" offers a nuanced way to acknowledge a sliver of possibility. When writing, ensure you are accurately portraying the level of difficulty and avoiding overstatements. By considering these aspects, you can effectively employ "is nearly impossible" to enrich your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is virtually impossible

Emphasizes the impossibility more strongly, suggesting it's close to being absolutely impossible.

is almost impossible

Slightly less emphatic than "is nearly impossible", indicating a high degree of difficulty.

is practically impossible

Focuses on the practical aspects of impossibility, suggesting it cannot be done in practice.

is close to impossible

Highlights the proximity to impossibility, stressing how difficult it is.

is bordering on impossible

Suggests it's at the edge of being impossible, close to crossing the line.

is verging on impossible

Similar to 'bordering on', indicating a state very near to impossibility.

is a tall order

An idiom that means something is very difficult to achieve.

is a Herculean task

Implies that completing the task requires immense strength and effort, like the labors of Hercules.

is like finding a needle in a haystack

Emphasizes the difficulty of finding something specific among many irrelevant things.

is a long shot

Indicates a low probability of success, making it unlikely to happen.

FAQs

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

The phrase "is nearly impossible" is used to describe something that is very difficult to achieve or accomplish. For example: "Finding affordable housing in this city "is nearly impossible"."

What are some alternatives to "is nearly impossible"?

You can use alternatives like "is virtually impossible", "is almost impossible", or "is practically impossible" depending on the context.

Is there a difference between "is nearly impossible" and "is completely impossible"?

"Is nearly impossible" suggests a very low chance of success, but still implies a possibility. "Is completely impossible" means there is absolutely no chance of it happening.

When is it appropriate to use "is nearly impossible" instead of "is difficult"?

Use "is nearly impossible" when something is so challenging that it's unlikely to succeed, but you don't want to rule out the possibility entirely. "Is difficult" simply means it requires effort.