it is nearly impossible

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it is nearly impossible" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express that something is very difficult to achieve or accomplish, but not entirely out of the realm of possibility. Example: "Given the current circumstances, it is nearly impossible to meet the deadline without additional resources."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It is nearly impossible.

The New York Times - Health

Personally, it is nearly impossible to reach me".

The New Yorker

It is nearly impossible to control for all these variables.

The Guardian

It is nearly impossible to tell these two worlds apart.

The New York Times - Arts

From then on it is nearly impossible to stop reading.

The New York Times

FRIENDS say it is nearly impossible to discourage Maggie McGuire.

The New York Times - Style

In most cases, it is nearly impossible to find and measure solar radiation data.

International Journal of Hydrogen Energy

Currently, it is nearly impossible to advocate global parameters that could be used worldwide.

Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section B: Beam Interactions with Materials and Atoms

It is nearly impossible to produce defect free parts if this failure occurs.

Journal of Materials Research and Technology

It is nearly impossible to determine who is at fault and laying blame is pointless.

Cornell University

Once we get pulled in, it is nearly impossible to escape.

Harvard University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it is nearly impossible", ensure the context clearly indicates the factors contributing to the difficulty. Providing specific reasons strengthens the statement.

Common error

Avoid using "it is nearly impossible" when something is merely challenging but achievable with reasonable effort. Reserve it for situations where obstacles are genuinely formidable.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it is nearly impossible" functions as an adverbial phrase that modifies a verb or clause. It expresses a high degree of improbability or difficulty, indicating that something is extremely challenging to achieve. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatically correct status.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

30%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "it is nearly impossible" is a versatile expression used to convey a strong sense of improbability or extreme difficulty. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically sound and widely used across various domains, particularly in News & Media, Science, and Academia. While expressing near impossibility, it acknowledges a sliver of possibility, differentiating it from absolute statements. Alternatives include "it is almost impossible" or "it is highly unlikely", offering subtle shifts in meaning. When employing this phrase, clarity and context are crucial to accurately convey the intended level of difficulty or improbability. The phrase is best used to describe conditions that are genuinely challenging and not merely a matter of inconvenience.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it is almost impossible

Slightly softens the impossibility, suggesting a slightly higher chance of success.

it is practically impossible

Emphasizes the real-world difficulties that make something unattainable.

it is virtually impossible

Highlights that something is so close to impossible as to make no difference.

it is hardly possible

Suggests a low probability, rather than a near certainty of failure.

it is extremely difficult

Focuses on the high degree of difficulty, without explicitly stating impossibility.

it is a long shot

Informal phrase indicating a very low chance of success.

it is out of the question

Indicates something is not allowed or worth thinking about.

it is improbable

A more formal way of saying something is unlikely.

there's little chance

Highlights the slim likelihood of something happening.

success is unlikely

Directly states that achieving a positive outcome is not probable.

FAQs

What does "it is nearly impossible" mean?

The phrase "it is nearly impossible" means that something is very difficult to achieve or accomplish, but not entirely out of the realm of possibility. It implies a high degree of difficulty or unlikelihood.

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

You can use "it is nearly impossible" to describe a situation where success is highly improbable. For example: "Given the current resources, "it is nearly impossible to complete" the project on time."

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

You can use alternatives such as "it is almost impossible", "it is highly unlikely", or "it is extremely difficult" depending on the specific context.

Is "it is nearly impossible" an exaggeration?

Whether "it is nearly impossible" is an exaggeration depends on the context. It's stronger than saying something is "difficult" or "unlikely", but weaker than saying it's "completely impossible". Use it when the odds are heavily stacked against success.