it almost impossible

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it almost impossible" is not correct in English.
Did you mean "it is almost impossible"? You can use this phrase to express that something is very difficult or nearly unachievable. Example: "Without proper training, it is almost impossible to complete the marathon."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Sittwe's Muslims, like its rarer Hindus, find it almost impossible to travel outside Rakhine state.

The Economist

Moreover, the short time of the reaction make it almost impossible to measure its duration.

Plosone

Contracts make it almost impossible to fire duds.

The Economist

I'm finding it almost impossible to choose between them.

The New York Times

That makes it almost impossible to control supply.

The New York Times

I found it almost impossible to watch, for an hour.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

I find it almost impossible to work anywhere else.

The Guardian - Books

Taiwan has found it almost impossible to keep citizens in.

The New York Times

This makes it almost impossible to exclude malicious agents from trade.

Artificial Intelligence

Nearly every episode finishes on a gripping cliff-hanger, making it almost impossible to turn off.

Stanford University

Jesus is intensifying the Jewish Torah and making it almost impossible to keep.

Yale University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always include the verb "is" or "was" to ensure grammatical correctness. Use "it is almost impossible" instead of "it almost impossible".

Common error

Avoid using "it almost impossible" in formal writing. This phrase omits the necessary verb "is" or "was", making the sentence grammatically incorrect. Always include the verb to maintain clarity and correctness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase functions as a descriptor indicating a high degree of difficulty or improbability, although grammatically incorrect. Ludwig reports the phrase is not correct in English. While "it almost impossible" may be understood, it lacks the necessary verb, making it incomplete.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Science

26%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "it almost impossible" is widely used across various sources, including News & Media, Science and Academia, it is grammatically incorrect due to the omission of the verb "is" or "was". As Ludwig AI correctly identifies, the correct version is "it is almost impossible". For grammatically sound alternatives, consider "it is nearly impossible" or "it is virtually impossible". Despite its frequency, it's crucial to use the grammatically correct form, especially in formal and professional contexts, for clarity and precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it is nearly impossible

This alternative adds the missing verb 'is' to correct the grammar, making it a grammatically sound option with similar meaning.

it's virtually impossible

This alternative uses "virtually" to emphasize the near impossibility, providing a slightly stronger nuance.

it is practically impossible

Replaces 'almost' with 'practically', conveying a very similar meaning of near impossibility.

it is close to impossible

Emphasizes how near something is to being impossible, highlighting the difficulty.

it seems almost impossible

Introduces a subjective element, suggesting the impossibility is based on perception.

it's a tall order

Uses an idiom to indicate that a task is very difficult to achieve.

it presents a major challenge

Shifts the focus to the challenging aspect of the situation, implying significant difficulty.

it borders on impossibility

Highlights the extreme difficulty by stating it is close to being an impossibility.

success is highly improbable

Focuses on the low probability of success rather than the difficulty of the task itself.

it's a long shot

Uses an idiom to express a low chance of success or achievement.

FAQs

What's grammatically wrong with "it almost impossible"?

The phrase "it almost impossible" is missing the verb "to be" (is/was). The correct form is "it is almost impossible" or "it was almost impossible".

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

Use "it is almost impossible" to describe something that is very difficult or nearly unachievable. Example: "It is almost impossible to predict the future."

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

You can use alternatives like "it is nearly impossible", "it is virtually impossible", or "it is practically impossible".

Is "it almost impossible" acceptable in informal conversation?

While widely used, "it almost impossible" is grammatically incorrect. It's better to use the correct form, even in informal settings, to maintain clarity. If you're looking for less formal alternatives consider to start your sentence differently.