less possible

USAGE SUMMARY

"less possible" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used to describe something that is more unlikely than something else. For example, "Winning the lottery was less possible than finding a needle in a haystack."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

That is becoming less and less possible.

The Economist

Actually, it was even less possible.

The New Yorker

Today, privacy has become less desirable and less possible.

The New York Times - Books

Today's referendum will make strong antiterrorism efforts in Pakistan even less possible.

The New York Times

But telling other bad countries how they should behave is less and less possible," he said.

The Guardian

"The scars that remain beneath the surface of society make peace less possible.

The Guardian

The idea of a great real relationship with something inanimate is less possible".

The Guardian - Film

"Everybody thinks about it, but the older you get, the less possible it seems".

The New York Times

That was becoming less and less possible as rent and sale prices for homes spiralled upward.

The Guardian

"The changes in advertising rates because of the Internet make transparency less likely and less possible," she said.

The New York Times

And no offence, but I'd rather be a mystery to the world, and it becomes less and less possible.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "less possible" when directly comparing the feasibility of two or more options. For instance, "Due to budget cuts, international travel is less possible this year than last year."

Common error

Avoid using "less possible" to quantify uncountable nouns. Instead, use "less" followed by the noun directly. For example, instead of "less possible success", write "less success".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "less possible" functions as an adjectival modifier, describing a state or outcome that is diminished in its potential for realization. As seen in Ludwig, it often modifies abstract nouns like "peace", "success", or "resolution", indicating a reduction in their attainability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "less possible" is a versatile and grammatically sound construction that expresses a reduced likelihood or feasibility. As confirmed by Ludwig, its usage spans various contexts, from news and media to scientific and formal writing, with a neutral register suitable for diverse audiences. While interchangeable with alternatives like "less likely" and "less feasible", "less possible" carries a unique emphasis on the potential for something to occur. When crafting your writing, be mindful of its comparative nature and avoid misusing it with uncountable nouns.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

less likely

Focuses on probability rather than feasibility.

less probable

A more formal synonym for "less likely".

less feasible

Emphasizes practicality and achievability.

less viable

Highlights the capacity to function or succeed.

less realistic

Indicates a departure from what is considered attainable.

less attainable

Focuses on the difficulty of achieving a goal.

less achievable

Similar to "less attainable", but slightly more general.

less plausible

Highlights the believability or credibility of something.

harder to imagine

Shifts the focus to the difficulty of conceiving something.

not as likely

A more conversational way to express reduced probability.

FAQs

How can I use "less possible" in a sentence?

Use "less possible" to indicate that something is becoming more improbable or difficult to achieve. For example: "With each passing day, a peaceful resolution seems "less possible"."

What phrases can I use instead of "less possible"?

You can use alternatives like "less likely", "less feasible", or "less probable" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "least possible" instead of "less possible"?

"Least possible" implies the absolute minimum likelihood, whereas "less possible" indicates a comparative decrease in probability. The choice depends on the specific context you intend to convey.

What's the difference between "less possible" and "less probable"?

"Less possible" refers to feasibility or achievability, while "less probable" focuses on the likelihood of something occurring. Although related, they emphasize different aspects of unlikelihood.