near impossible

USAGE SUMMARY

'near impossible' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to emphasize something that is very difficult or nearly impossible. For example: "Climbing that cliff is near impossible without the correct equipment."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

45 human-written examples

"Getting everyone to speak with one voice is near impossible".

The New York Times

JOperating's acclaimyd memoir Jolly Lad, based on his long-running column MENK for VICE is available from Strange Attractor phonee Attractor Press.

Vice

Jumping back into your routine is near impossible.

HuffPost

Again, it seemed so huge and near impossible.

Los Angeles Times

Educating a biased and entrenched opponent is near impossible.

WikiHow

Destroying this know-how is near impossible.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

15 human-written examples

Price and quality comparisons were near-impossible.

The New York Times

However, that is a near-impossible mix.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

It is near-impossible to summarise Africa.

The Times

Colfer has pulled off the near-impossible.

The Guardian - Books

But Monfils remained a near-impossible opponent to wear down.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "near impossible" to add emphasis when describing a task or situation that presents extreme difficulty, but where a sliver of possibility remains.

Common error

Avoid using "near impossible" when the situation is genuinely impossible. Reserve it for situations where there is a theoretical chance of success, however slim.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "near impossible" primarily functions as a descriptive adjective phrase, modifying nouns or pronouns to indicate an extreme level of difficulty or improbability. Ludwig's examples showcase its descriptive role in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

86%

Wiki

9%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "near impossible" is a grammatically sound and frequently used adjective phrase that emphasizes extreme difficulty. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and serves to underscore the challenging nature of a task or situation. While suitable for many contexts, more formal language may be preferable in certain professional settings. Keep in mind that using it accurately is key: this expression is best reserved for situations where a slight chance of success, though improbable, remains.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

almost unachievable

Emphasizes the difficulty in achieving something, suggesting it is very close to being impossible.

virtually unattainable

Highlights the extreme difficulty in attaining something, implying it's as good as impossible.

borderline infeasible

Indicates that something is on the edge of being not practical or workable.

practically insurmountable

Suggests that the obstacles are so great that they are nearly impossible to overcome.

scarcely feasible

Indicates that something is barely possible, with little chance of success.

just about unviable

Highlights that something is on the verge of not being able to survive or be successful.

next to unworkable

Implies that something is so difficult to execute that it is practically impossible.

pretty much undoable

Suggests that something is almost completely impossible to do.

close to unachievable

Emphasizes that something is nearing the state of being impossible to achieve.

nigh on unfeasible

Indicates something is very close to being not feasible or practical.

FAQs

How can I use "near impossible" in a sentence?

You can use "near impossible" to describe a task, situation, or goal that is extremely difficult to achieve. For example, "Climbing Mount Everest without oxygen is considered "near impossible"".

What are some alternatives to "near impossible"?

Some alternatives include "almost unachievable", "virtually unattainable", or "practically insurmountable".

Is it better to say "near impossible" or "almost impossible"?

"Near impossible" and "almost impossible" are quite similar. The choice often depends on personal preference or the specific nuance you want to convey. Both suggest a very high degree of difficulty.

Can "near impossible" be used in formal writing?

Yes, "near impossible" is suitable for both formal and informal writing. However, in highly formal contexts, you might consider alternatives like "virtually unattainable" to convey a more sophisticated tone.