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it's nearly impossible
Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

Alternative expressions(4)

it's almost impossible

it's highly improbable

it's a long shot

it's hardly impossible

Table of contents

Usage summary

Human-verified examples

Expert writing tips

Linguistic context

Ludwig's wrap-up

Alternative expressions

FAQs

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It's nearly impossible to pin down Rihanna's most iconic tune.

News & Media

Vice

It's nearly impossible.

News & Media

The New York Times

Now it's nearly impossible".

News & Media

The New York Times

In fact, it's nearly impossible.

News & Media

The New York Times

"Now, it's nearly impossible".

News & Media

The New York Times - Arts

Because it's nearly impossible".

News & Media

The Guardian - Travel

I think it's nearly impossible".

News & Media

The Guardian

It's nearly impossible to not mess up.

News & Media

The New York Times

With only fingertips, it's nearly impossible.

News & Media

The Guardian

Accordingly, it's nearly impossible to turn away".

News & Media

The Guardian - Music

Once programs exist, it's nearly impossible to kill them.

News & Media

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When emphasizing the extreme difficulty of a task, use "it's nearly impossible" to convey a strong sense of improbability without stating absolute impossibility. This allows for a nuanced perspective.

Common error

Avoid using "it's nearly impossible" when the situation only presents moderate difficulty. Overusing the phrase can diminish its impact and credibility. Consider using milder alternatives like "it's very difficult" or "it's challenging" when appropriate.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

84%

Authority and reliability

4.5/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it's nearly impossible" functions as a declarative statement expressing a strong degree of improbability or extreme difficulty. It suggests that while not strictly impossible, the chances of success or achievement are exceptionally low. As Ludwig examples indicate, this phrase is used to describe situations where outcomes are very difficult to achieve.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Wiki

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

Reference

Encyclopedias

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it's nearly impossible" is a grammatically sound and very common phrase used to express a high degree of improbability or extreme difficulty. Ludwig's analysis of numerous examples shows its prevalence in News & Media, Wiki, and Formal & Business contexts, signaling a neutral register suitable for general communication. While alternatives like "it's almost impossible" or "it's highly improbable" exist, the specific choice depends on the nuance you wish to convey. Ludwig examples show the breadth of application of the phrase, but also highlight that it should not be employed when the situation only presents moderate difficulty.

More alternative expressions(6)

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it's almost impossible

Replaces "nearly" with "almost", indicating a very slight decrease in the degree of impossibility.

it's practically impossible

Substitutes "nearly" with "practically", suggesting that the impossibility is based on practical considerations.

it's virtually impossible

Replaces "nearly" with "virtually", implying that the impossibility exists in effect, though not necessarily in reality.

it's exceedingly difficult

Shifts from impossibility to extreme difficulty, softening the statement.

it's highly improbable

Changes from impossibility to a low probability, making the statement less absolute.

it's a long shot

Uses an idiom to convey that the chance of success is very low.

it's a lost cause

Emphasizes the futility of attempting something, indicating that success is not achievable.

it stands little chance

Implies that something has very little prospect of succeeding.

it's against all odds

Suggests that success would require overcoming significant obstacles.

it's a pipe dream

Indicates that an idea or plan is unrealistic and unlikely to happen.

FAQs

How can I use "it's nearly impossible" in a sentence?

You can use "it's nearly impossible" to describe a task or situation that is extremely difficult to achieve or overcome. For example, "It's nearly impossible to predict the outcome of the election" or "It's nearly impossible to eradicate the disease completely".

What phrases are similar to "it's nearly impossible"?

Alternatives include phrases like "it's almost impossible", "it's virtually impossible", or "it's highly improbable". The best choice depends on the specific context and the degree of impossibility you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "it's nearly impossible"?

Yes, "it's nearly impossible" is grammatically correct. The phrase uses "nearly" as an adverb to modify the adjective "impossible", indicating a state that is close to being impossible.

What's the difference between "it's nearly impossible" and "it's completely impossible"?

"It's nearly impossible" suggests a very high degree of difficulty, but implies that success is still theoretically possible, however unlikely. "It's completely impossible" indicates that success is absolutely unattainable and out of the question.

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Table of contents

Usage summary

Human-verified examples

Expert writing tips

Linguistic context

Ludwig's wrap-up

Alternative expressions

FAQs

Source & Trust

84%

Authority and reliability

4.5/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences:

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it's nearly impossibleGrammar usage guide and real-world examples

it's nearly impossible
Grammar usage guide and real-world examples