it is barely impossible

USAGE SUMMARY

"it is barely impossible" is a perfectly correct and usable phrase in written English.
It implies that something is nearly impossible, but still theoretically possible. For example, "It is barely impossible to raise and train a successful racehorse in just two months time."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Considering the current state of affairs, it is barely impossible to reduce emissions without relying on CO2 capture and sequestration technologies.

International Journal of Greenhouse Gas Control

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

It is just impossible".

The New York Times

It is barely possible to get through if you follow it and it may be impossible if you don't".

Wikipedia

It is barely enough money.

The New York Times

However, it is barely studied at present.

International Journal of Fatigue

"It's just impossible.

The New York Times

It was barely noticed.

The New York Times

It was barely reported.

Independent

It's barely moving.

Independent

"It was barely holding.

The New Yorker

It's barely for anyone.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it is barely impossible" when you want to emphasize that something is on the verge of impossibility but still hypothetically achievable, allowing for a slim chance of success or occurrence.

Common error

Avoid using "it is barely impossible" when you want to convey absolute impossibility. The word "barely" introduces a nuance of potential, however slight, that would be contradictory in situations requiring a firm declaration of impossibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it is barely impossible" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying the adjective "impossible". It softens the assertion of impossibility, implying a situation that is exceedingly difficult but not entirely beyond the realm of possibility, a nuance supported by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it is barely impossible" is a grammatically correct phrase that conveys a state of near impossibility. According to Ludwig AI, it's a valid way to express that something is extremely difficult but theoretically achievable. While its usage is rare, it appears in both scientific and news contexts. When using this phrase, it's important to remember that it implies a slim chance of possibility, distinguishing it from statements of absolute impossibility. More common alternatives include "it is almost impossible" and "it is practically impossible".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it is practically impossible

Replaces "barely" with "practically", emphasizing the high degree of difficulty.

it is almost impossible

Substitutes "barely" with "almost", indicating a near impossibility.

it is virtually impossible

Uses "virtually" instead of "barely", suggesting a state that is so close to impossible it might as well be.

it is nearly impossible

Employs "nearly" in place of "barely", conveying a very close approximation to impossibility.

it is hardly possible

Uses "hardly" instead of "barely", suggesting that something is very unlikely but still theoretically possible.

it is just impossible

Replaces "barely" with "just", amplifying the sense of impossibility.

it is technically infeasible

Replaces "impossible" with "infeasible", focusing on the lack of technical possibility.

it is scarcely conceivable

Changes from "impossible" to "conceivable", suggesting something difficult to imagine.

it is a long shot

Employs idiomatic expression denoting very low probability of success.

it is remotely possible

Uses "remotely" to suggest a small chance of possibility, the opposite of the original phrase.

FAQs

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

You can use "it is barely impossible" to describe situations that are extremely difficult but not entirely out of the realm of possibility. For example, "It is barely impossible to finish the project by tomorrow with the current resources".

What phrases are similar to "it is barely impossible"?

Alternatives include "it is practically impossible", "it is almost impossible", or "it is virtually impossible". These phrases all suggest a high degree of difficulty.

Is "it is barely impossible" grammatically correct?

Yes, "it is barely impossible" is grammatically correct, as affirmed by Ludwig AI. It's a valid way to express that something is extremely difficult but theoretically achievable.

When should I avoid using "it is barely impossible"?

Avoid using "it is barely impossible" if you want to express absolute impossibility. The "barely" suggests there's still a chance, however small. Use stronger terms like "impossible" or "completely impossible" for definitive statements.