it is almost impossible not to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it is almost impossible not to" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express a strong likelihood or inevitability of an action or feeling occurring despite attempts to avoid it. Example: "When faced with such overwhelming evidence, it is almost impossible not to believe in the theory."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Arts

Lifestyle

Opinion

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

30 human-written examples

Yet it is almost impossible not to suffer with him.

The Guardian - Opinion

It is almost impossible not to like him.

The Guardian - Sport

But nowadays it is almost impossible not to look at them that way.

The New York Times

At times I have failed: it is almost impossible not to like a character like yourself.

The New Yorker

It is almost impossible not to run into retirees at Tea Party rallies or meetings.

The New York Times

It is almost impossible not to describe Sophia Warner as superwoman.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

30 human-written examples

It's almost impossible not to though.

Independent

It's almost impossible not to laugh.

The Guardian - Film

It's almost impossible not to.

The Guardian

It's almost impossible not to order something.

The New York Times - Arts

"It's almost impossible not to be sold any more," he sings on his new album.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it is almost impossible not to" to express a strong inclination or near-certainty about an action or feeling, especially when something is highly compelling or difficult to avoid.

Common error

Avoid using "it is almost impossible not to" in situations where a simple "difficult to" or "hard to" would suffice. Overusing strong language can diminish its impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it is almost impossible not to" functions as an idiomatic expression to convey a strong sense of inevitability or near certainty. Ludwig shows that this phrase is commonly used to express how difficult it is to avoid a particular action or feeling.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Sport

12%

Arts

12%

Less common in

Lifestyle

4%

Opinion

4%

Wiki

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it is almost impossible not to" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to convey a strong sense of inevitability. Ludwig AI confirms its widespread use in various contexts, particularly in news and media, as well as in arts and sports reporting. While versatile, it's important to avoid overuse and to consider alternatives like "it's hard not to" for a less emphatic tone. The phrase is generally neutral in register, making it suitable for a broad range of writing styles.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it's nearly impossible not to

Replaces "almost" with "nearly", offering a slightly less emphatic tone.

it's practically impossible not to

Substitutes "almost" with "practically", suggesting a very high degree of certainty.

it's virtually impossible not to

Replaces "almost" with "virtually", indicating a near-certain outcome.

it's hard not to

Simplifies the phrasing while retaining the core meaning of difficulty in avoiding something.

it's difficult not to

Uses "difficult" instead of "impossible", softening the sense of inevitability.

one can't help but

Emphasizes the involuntary nature of the action or feeling.

you can't help but

Focuses on the inability of a person to prevent a certain reaction.

it's unavoidable to

Highlights the certainty that an action will take place.

it is difficult to resist

Emphasizes the challenging aspect of averting a certain action.

it's almost certain to

Shifts focus to the high probability of a specific action.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "it is almost impossible not to"?

You can use alternatives like "it's nearly impossible not to", "it's hard not to", or "it's difficult not to" depending on the desired level of emphasis.

When is it appropriate to use "it is almost impossible not to"?

Use "it is almost impossible not to" when you want to convey that something is extremely likely or practically inevitable, despite any attempts to avoid it.

Is there a more formal way to say "it is almost impossible not to"?

A more formal alternative would be "one cannot help but" or "it is virtually unavoidable to". These options lend a more sophisticated tone to your writing.

What is the difference between "it is almost impossible not to" and "it is difficult not to"?

"It is almost impossible not to" suggests a very high degree of likelihood or inevitability, whereas "it is difficult not to" simply indicates that something is challenging to avoid. The former is stronger in its assertion.