is relatively impossible

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is relatively impossible" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express that something is very difficult or unlikely to happen, but not entirely out of the realm of possibility. Example: "While some may argue that achieving world peace is relatively impossible, others believe that small steps can lead to significant change."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Without proper understanding of the process to be used for manufacturing, design of the part is relatively impossible.

Designing Successful Products with Plastics Fundamentals of Plastic Part Design

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

John Paschal, the Ford regional sales manager who oversaw the change in Beverly Hills, said: "Fifteen years ago, it was relatively impossible to market to gays and lesbians because they were -- or chose to be -- invisible.

The New York Times

"I just think both of them over the course of the season, and with what they've done in Test footy, it's relatively impossible to leave one out," Cheika said.

The Guardian - Sport

Fourth, it is crucial to point out that without the approval of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei as well as the senior cadre of IRGC, it would have been relatively impossible to envision the new appointment of Prime Minister Haidar al Abadi.

Huffington Post

Regarding publishing, getting a meaningful book advance as a yoga teacher seems to be relatively impossible unless sex is somehow involved: either you used yoga to overcome some childhood violation or you are now "empowering" people - most likely people of the female persuasion - and most often by misappropriating "tantra" (to have more, better, different orgasms).

Huffington Post

Studies have shown, for instance, that the human visual system is relatively insensitive to the physically impossible cast shadows created by inconsistent lighting in a scene (Ostrovsky, Cavanagh, & Sinha, 2005).

Cognitive Research: Principles and Implications

This, combined with the fact that the epiphytic flora of the Andes is relatively poorly known, made it impossible to identify all taxa to species.

F1000Research

The percentage of children with cognitive disorders, like retardation, that make it impossible for them to learn is relatively small.

The New York Times

Of course it is impossible to be sure that there is relatively more of it nowadays than at other times.

The Guardian

By contrast, the buttercup is relatively unique and would be difficult -- if not impossible -- to replace.

Huffington Post

Jivani stressed that this work is relatively new and still being developed, so it's impossible to expect change quickly.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "is relatively impossible" when you want to express that something is very difficult or unlikely, but not entirely beyond the realm of possibility. It suggests a significant challenge but leaves room for potential, albeit improbable, success.

Common error

Avoid using "is relatively impossible" when the situation is genuinely and absolutely impossible. Overstating the degree of impossibility can weaken your argument and diminish your credibility. If something has zero chance of occurring, use stronger language such as "is impossible" or "cannot be done".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is relatively impossible" functions as a qualifier, modifying the degree of impossibility. Ludwig AI indicates the phrase is grammatically correct and usable. It softens the absolute nature of "impossible", suggesting a high degree of difficulty but not necessarily complete unattainability.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "is relatively impossible" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe something highly unlikely but not entirely unattainable. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. It's versatile, fitting into News & Media, Scientific and Formal & Business contexts. When writing, remember it denotes significant difficulty and is not for absolute impossibilities. If absolute impossibility is what you are trying to convey, you should opt for stronger, unambiguous terms. If your goal is to imply only an extreme but not complete difficulty, "is relatively impossible" can be a good solution.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is quite unachievable

Emphasizes the difficulty in achieving something, suggesting it's nearly impossible.

is practically unattainable

Highlights the impracticality of reaching a certain goal or outcome.

is almost out of the question

Suggests the idea is highly unlikely and almost not worth considering.

is nearly unfeasible

Focuses on the lack of feasibility, indicating a high level of difficulty.

is highly improbable

Indicates a low probability of occurrence or success.

is extremely unlikely

Conveys a strong sense of improbability, though not absolute impossibility.

is verging on undoable

Implies that something is approaching the point of being impossible to complete.

is close to unworkable

Focuses on the practical challenges, suggesting that something is almost impossible to make work.

is bordering on unrealistic

Highlights the lack of realism, implying a low chance of success.

is hardly achievable

Suggests a low likelihood of being able to achieve something.

FAQs

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

You can use "is relatively impossible" to express that something is very difficult or unlikely to happen, but not completely out of the question. For example: "Achieving absolute zero in a lab "is relatively impossible" with current technology."

What are some alternatives to "is relatively impossible"?

Some alternatives to "is relatively impossible" include "is highly improbable", "is extremely unlikely", or "is nearly unfeasible". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it redundant to say "is relatively impossible"? Why not just say "is impossible"?

While "is impossible" indicates something cannot occur, "is relatively impossible" suggests it's exceedingly difficult but not necessarily absolutely unattainable. It's less about redundancy and more about precision, implying a significant challenge rather than an absolute barrier.

What's the difference between "is relatively impossible" and "is quite impossible"?

"Is quite impossible" suggests a higher degree of impossibility than "is relatively impossible". The "relatively" modifier introduces a sense of comparison or perspective, implying it's impossible given certain conditions or compared to other things, whereas "quite" simply emphasizes the impossibility.