nearly impossible

USAGE SUMMARY

"nearly impossible" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when conveying that achieving something is almost impossible. For example, "It would be nearly impossible to climb up the mountain without proper gear."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

It's nearly impossible.

The New York Times

Escape was nearly impossible.

The New York Times

Now it's nearly impossible".

The New York Times

It's a nearly impossible standard.

The New York Times - Magazine

That would be nearly impossible.

Independent

In fact, it's nearly impossible.

The New York Times

It is nearly impossible.

The New York Times - Health

Because it's nearly impossible".

The Guardian - Travel

"Now, it's nearly impossible".

The New York Times - Arts

Travel is nearly impossible.

The Guardian - Opinion

Bathing became nearly impossible.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "nearly impossible", consider the context and choose synonyms if a more nuanced meaning is required. "Virtually impossible" might emphasize the extreme improbability, while "extremely unlikely" focuses on probability.

Common error

Avoid using "nearly impossible" when a task is simply challenging or difficult. Reserve it for situations where the likelihood of success is genuinely minimal, otherwise, use alternatives like "very difficult" or "challenging".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "nearly impossible" functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to describe the probability of an event or task. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and widely used. It expresses a high degree of improbability, stopping just short of absolute impossibility.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "nearly impossible" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe something with a very low probability of success. As Ludwig AI points out, it’s perfectly acceptable for use in written English. Predominantly found in News & Media contexts, it conveys emphasis and sets realistic expectations. While alternatives like "virtually impossible" or "extremely unlikely" exist, the choice depends on the desired nuance. Remember to reserve "nearly impossible" for situations of genuine low probability to avoid overstatement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

virtually impossible

Emphasizes the extremely high improbability, bordering on impossibility.

almost unachievable

Focuses on the difficulty in reaching a desired outcome.

extremely unlikely

Highlights the low probability of an event occurring.

highly improbable

Indicates a very low chance of success or occurrence.

scarcely feasible

Suggests that something is technically possible, but barely so.

borderline unattainable

Implies that a goal is almost beyond reach.

practically unworkable

Highlights the difficulty in implementing or executing something.

might as well be impossible

Expresses a sense of futility, suggesting an action is unlikely to succeed.

approaching impossibility

Indicates that a situation is moving closer to being completely impossible.

as good as impossible

Informal way to say something has practically no chance of happening.

FAQs

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

You can use "nearly impossible" to describe a task or situation that is very difficult to achieve or overcome. For instance, "It's "nearly impossible" to find parking in this area during peak hours".

What are some alternatives to "nearly impossible"?

Some alternatives to "nearly impossible" include "virtually impossible", "extremely unlikely", or "highly improbable". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired emphasis.

Is it more correct to say "nearly impossible" or "almost impossible"?

Both "nearly impossible" and "almost impossible" are grammatically correct and have similar meanings. The choice between them is largely a matter of personal preference, although "nearly impossible" might sound slightly more formal.

What's the difference between "nearly impossible" and "difficult"?

"Difficult" describes something that requires effort and skill, but is achievable. "Nearly impossible", on the other hand, suggests that success is very unlikely, even with significant effort and skill. If you use "difficult", implies the task is hard to do; if you use "nearly impossible", it suggests a very low likelihood of success.