it is almost impossible

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it is almost impossible" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used as a statement to indicate that something is very difficult to achieve or accomplish. Example: "Despite our best efforts, it is almost impossible to predict the outcome of the upcoming election."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

It is almost impossible to study its response through experiments.

International Journal of Advanced Structural Engineering

It is almost impossible.

The New York Times - Arts

Now it is almost impossible to believe.

The New Yorker

It is almost impossible to imagine.

The Economist

It is almost impossible," he'd said earlier.

The New Yorker

It is almost impossible to resist.

The Guardian - Business

It is almost impossible for management to run the system.

University of California, Berkeley

It is almost impossible to find an actual Bayrou supporter.

Independent

It is almost impossible for him to admit disturbing evidence.

The New Yorker

"It is almost impossible to study traditionally," Mr. Foys said.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

It's almost impossible to go backward".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it is almost impossible" to express a strong sense of difficulty or unlikelihood, but acknowledge a slim possibility of success. It's effective when conveying a challenge that is exceedingly difficult to overcome.

Common error

Avoid using "it is almost impossible" when the situation is merely difficult, not nearly impossible. Overusing this phrase can diminish its impact and credibility. Instead, consider using weaker alternatives like "it is very difficult" or "it is challenging".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it is almost impossible" functions as an evaluative expression, characterizing the difficulty or unlikelihood of a particular outcome or action. It's used to convey a strong sense of improbability without completely ruling out the possibility. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is correct and frequently used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Science

36%

Academia

11%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it is almost impossible" is a versatile phrase used to communicate that something is exceedingly difficult, but not entirely out of the realm of possibility. Ludwig AI confirms it's correctness and usability. Predominantly found in News & Media, Scientific and Academic contexts, this expression serves to temper expectations while conveying the formidable nature of the challenge at hand. While grammatically sound and widely accepted, overusing this phrase can diminish its impact. Consider using alternative expressions like "it is virtually impossible" or "it is nearly impossible" to add nuance to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it is virtually impossible

Emphasizes the extreme unlikelihood of something happening, suggesting a near impossibility.

it is nearly impossible

Indicates that something is close to being impossible, with a slight chance of success.

it is practically impossible

Suggests that something is not feasible in a practical sense, although theoretically possible.

it is hardly possible

Indicates that something is very unlikely or difficult to occur.

it is almost unachievable

Highlights the difficulty in attaining or accomplishing something.

it is a long shot

Indicates that something has a very low probability of success.

success is highly improbable

Emphasizes the low likelihood of a successful outcome.

it is a lost cause

Suggests that there is no hope for success or positive outcome.

there's little to no chance

Indicates a minimal possibility of something happening.

it borders on impossibility

Implies that something is very close to being completely impossible.

FAQs

What does "it is almost impossible" mean?

The phrase "it is almost impossible" means that something is very difficult to achieve or accomplish, to the point where success is highly unlikely, though not entirely out of the question.

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

You can use "it is almost impossible" to describe a situation where success is very difficult. For example: "It is almost impossible to predict the stock market's behavior accurately."

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

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

What's the difference between "it is almost impossible" and "it is impossible"?

"It is almost impossible" suggests a very low probability of success, but still acknowledges a slight possibility. "It is impossible", on the other hand, states that something cannot be done under any circumstances.