nearly impossible feat

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "nearly impossible feat" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a task or achievement that is extremely difficult to accomplish, but not entirely out of reach. Example: "Climbing Mount Everest without supplemental oxygen is considered a nearly impossible feat for most climbers."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

In a way, it's a metaphor for disappearing or absence; as a physical exercise, it's a nearly impossible feat.

The New York Times - Arts

Before the war, their only chance at a normal life was to flee the country — a nearly impossible feat.

The New Yorker

Before the war, their only chance at a normal life was to flee the country—a nearly impossible feat.

The New Yorker

(The 1941 Preston Sturges film "Sullivan's Travels" manages the nearly impossible feat of poking fun at such visitors while also making it clear that their mission had a powerful moral justification).

The New Yorker

High above the ground, a graduate student attempts a nearly impossible feat.

Science Magazine

A few comers have attempted this nearly impossible feat and now the X-ONE H1 is now giving it a try.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

Ng's narrative depends on Lydia having left little trace and misleading her parents about key friendships – feats nearly impossible since the advent of mobile phones and Facebook.

The Guardian - Books

Between those adjustments, which saved about $16 million, and the aid from the Governor, interim Superintendent Joseph Farmer said he was able to close the budget gap -- a feat that appeared nearly impossible two months ago when he took over the district.

The New York Times

If you tried, to no avail, to imagine -- like I did -- an America that sought to intentionally and aggressively move beyond whiteness, don't be alarmed because it is a feat that is nearly impossible.

Huffington Post

The office had two weeks to close the books on the Army's annual $3 billion budget, a major feat any time but nearly impossible with so many colleagues missing.

The New York Times

With these plasmids, gene activity can, in principle, be removed in an experimentally determined spatial and temporal pattern, even in post-mitotic or polyploid cells, a feat that has been nearly impossible so far.

Development (Cambridge)

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the difficulty of a task, consider using "nearly impossible feat" to add emphasis and a sense of awe to the achievement, suggesting that it required exceptional skill or effort.

Common error

Avoid using "nearly impossible feat" when the task is merely challenging but achievable with standard effort. This phrase implies an extreme level of difficulty close to actual impossibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "nearly impossible feat" functions as a compound descriptor, modifying the noun "feat". It emphasizes the extreme difficulty associated with achieving the described feat, suggesting it's on the verge of being unachievable. Ludwig AI affirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Science

21%

Wiki

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "nearly impossible feat" is a powerful way to describe a task or achievement that is exceptionally difficult. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and widely used. Its function is to emphasize the magnitude of the challenge, and its purpose is to highlight the extraordinary effort required. While the phrase is considered neutral in register, it is more prevalent in news, media, and scientific contexts. It’s crucial to reserve this phrase for tasks that truly border on impossibility to avoid overstatement. Consider using alternatives like "virtually unachievable task" or "almost insurmountable challenge" for similar, but slightly different, connotations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

virtually unachievable task

Replaces "nearly impossible" with "virtually unachievable", emphasizing the extreme difficulty.

almost insurmountable challenge

Substitutes "feat" with "challenge" and uses "almost insurmountable" to convey the high level of difficulty.

exceptionally difficult accomplishment

Replaces "nearly impossible" with "exceptionally difficult" and "feat" with "accomplishment", maintaining a formal tone.

extremely hard endeavor

Uses more common vocabulary to express a similar degree of difficulty.

formidable undertaking

Emphasizes the magnitude and difficulty of the task at hand.

a long shot

Uses an idiom to indicate a low probability of success.

Herculean task

References a task that requires immense strength and effort.

close to unworkable project

Focuses on the practicality aspect, suggesting that the project is barely viable.

next to unattainable goal

Emphasizes the difficulty in reaching the desired objective.

a tough nut to crack

Uses an idiomatic expression to suggest a problem that is very difficult to solve.

FAQs

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

Use "nearly impossible feat" to describe an action or task that is extremely challenging but not completely out of reach. For instance, "Completing the marathon in under two hours is a "nearly impossible feat" for most runners".

What phrases are similar to "nearly impossible feat"?

Similar phrases include "virtually unachievable task", "almost insurmountable challenge", or "exceptionally difficult accomplishment". The choice depends on the desired tone and context.

Is "nearly impossible feat" an exaggeration?

It can be, if the described task isn't genuinely exceptional in its difficulty. Use it judiciously when the achievement truly pushes the boundaries of possibility. Otherwise consider alternatives like "very difficult task".

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

"Difficult task" describes a challenge that requires effort but is achievable. A "nearly impossible feat" implies an extreme level of difficulty, where success is highly improbable but not entirely unattainable.