it is practically impossible

USAGE SUMMARY

'it is practically impossible' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use the phrase when talking about something that is almost impossible to do. For example, "It is practically impossible to make everyone happy."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

However, it is practically impossible to deter or prevent all attacks.

Computer and Information Security Handbook

Unlike the U.S., in a country like France, it is practically impossible to fire someone.

The New York Times

It is practically impossible to look honest on television without denture caps.

The New York Times

It is practically impossible to use intuition to determine whether simultaneously modifying multiple pharmaceutical targets has a good therapeutic response.

University of California, Berkeley

It is practically impossible to obtain an optically transparent joint without weld flash at the extremities of the weld.

Handbook of Plastics Joining A Practical Guide

It is practically impossible to obtain reliable measurements of local solids concentration by sample withdrawal from a mixing tank.

Chemical Engineering Science

We conclude that it is practically impossible for an automatic method to achieve the level of performance of human experts.

Journal of Molecular Biology

But it is practically impossible to ascertain when Flaubert's self-mockery is contrived, and to resist its subversiveness.

The New Yorker

It is practically impossible to rid the legal process of biases driven by race, class and politics.

The New York Times

Home-grown Czech musicals, some awful, but some excellent, have become so popular it is practically impossible to get tickets.

The New York Times - Magazine

Did we know it is practically impossible to get a get a copy of the Observer in Biggleswade after 10am?

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it is practically impossible" to convey a strong sense of improbability, especially when referring to situations where achieving a goal is exceptionally difficult but not absolutely unattainable. For example, "It is practically impossible to predict the stock market with complete accuracy."

Common error

Avoid using "it is practically impossible" when the situation is merely difficult or challenging, not nearly unattainable. Reserve this phrase for scenarios where the odds of success are exceptionally low to maintain the phrase's impact and credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it is practically impossible" functions as an evaluative statement expressing a very high degree of improbability or difficulty. It serves to indicate that while something might technically be conceivable, its achievement or occurrence is highly unlikely. As Ludwig AI states, it highlights something that is almost impossible to do.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

48%

News & Media

37%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it is practically impossible" is a versatile phrase used to express a strong sense of improbability without asserting absolute impossibility. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and widely accepted, especially in scientific, academic, and news contexts. While phrases like "it is virtually impossible" or "it is nearly impossible" offer similar meanings, "it is practically impossible" strikes a balance between indicating difficulty and acknowledging a sliver of possibility. When writing, use this phrase to convey a sense of near unattainability and avoid overstating situations that are merely challenging.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it is virtually impossible

Replaces "practically" with "virtually", indicating almost complete impossibility.

it is nearly impossible

Substitutes "practically" with "nearly", suggesting a very high degree of difficulty.

it is almost impossible

Uses "almost" instead of "practically", conveying a similar sense of near impossibility.

it is essentially impossible

Replaces "practically" with "essentially", highlighting that it's impossible in all important respects.

it is effectively impossible

Uses "effectively" to suggest that the result is the same as if it were impossible.

it is realistically impossible

Replaces "practically" with "realistically", focusing on the practical considerations that make it impossible.

it is unfeasible

Uses a single word, "unfeasible", to express that the task is not capable of being carried out.

it is out of the question

Indicates that something is not to be considered or done.

it stands no chance

Expresses that something has no possibility of success or occurring.

it cannot be done

A straightforward declaration that something is not doable.

FAQs

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

Use "it is practically impossible" to describe tasks or events that are extremely difficult to achieve or prevent. For example, "It is practically impossible to deter all cyber attacks", or "It is practically impossible to get a clear answer to that question".

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

Similar phrases include "it is virtually impossible", "it is nearly impossible", and "it is almost impossible". The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is there a difference between "it is impossible" and "it is practically impossible"?

"It is impossible" suggests complete impossibility, while "it is practically impossible" implies a very high degree of difficulty, where success is technically conceivable but highly improbable. The latter allows for a sliver of possibility, whereas the former does not.

When is it appropriate to use "it is practically impossible" in writing?

Use "it is practically impossible" when you want to emphasize the extreme difficulty of a task or situation without stating absolute impossibility. This is particularly useful in contexts where unforeseen circumstances or minute chances could technically alter the outcome.