nearly impossible to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "nearly impossible to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or task that is extremely difficult to achieve or accomplish, but not entirely out of reach. Example: "Completing the project within such a tight deadline feels nearly impossible to me."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It was nearly impossible to predict this.

The New York Times - Sports

These are nearly impossible to detect".

The New Yorker

Gary North was nearly impossible to track down.

The New York Times

It's nearly impossible to not mess up.

The New York Times

Rose has proved nearly impossible to guard.

The New York Times - Sports

Accordingly, it's nearly impossible to turn away".

The Guardian - Music

These are nearly impossible to change.

The New Yorker

Of course, those are nearly impossible to acquire.

The New York Times - Sports

Once programs exist, it's nearly impossible to kill them.

The New York Times

Casualty figures in Syria have been nearly impossible to confirm.

The New York Times

Personally, it is nearly impossible to reach me".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "nearly impossible to", ensure the context reflects a situation where success is highly improbable but not entirely precluded. For example, "It is nearly impossible to predict the stock market's behavior with complete accuracy."

Common error

Avoid using "nearly impossible to" when the situation is genuinely impossible. Use stronger language like "completely impossible" or "unachievable" if there is no chance of success.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "nearly impossible to" functions as an adjectival phrase modifying an infinitive. It qualifies the action expressed by the infinitive, indicating a high degree of difficulty or improbability. As Ludwig shows, this phrase is used to express the difficulty of various actions in different contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Science

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "nearly impossible to" is a versatile phrase used to express a high degree of difficulty or improbability. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used. While ""almost impossible to"" and "virtually impossible to" serve as close synonyms, it's important to use this phrase accurately, avoiding overstatement in situations that are truly impossible. Its frequent appearance in news and media contexts underscores its relevance in everyday communication. When writing, consider the nuances of the situation to ensure the phrase aptly reflects the challenges at hand.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

almost impossible to

Emphasizes the high degree of difficulty, suggesting it's just shy of being completely impossible.

virtually impossible to

Highlights that it's practically impossible, though a theoretical chance might exist.

close to impossible to

Indicates the difficulty is nearing impossibility.

borderline impossible to

Suggests that the difficulty resides on the edge of impossibility.

practically impossible to

Focuses on the practical aspect, implying it cannot be done in practice.

scarcely possible to

Stresses the extreme rarity or difficulty in achieving something.

exceedingly difficult to

Emphasizes the extreme level of difficulty.

highly improbable to

Shifts focus to the low probability of something occurring.

a long shot to

Implies a low chance of success or achievement.

tough to

A less formal way to say something is very difficult to do.

FAQs

What does "nearly impossible to" mean?

The phrase "nearly impossible to" means something is highly unlikely or exceedingly difficult to achieve, but not absolutely out of the realm of possibility. It suggests a very low probability of success.

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

You can use "nearly impossible to" to describe tasks or situations that are extremely challenging. For example, "It's "almost impossible to" find affordable housing in that city" or "It is nearly impossible to complete the project on time with the current resources."

Which is correct: "nearly impossible to" or "almost impossible to"?

Both "nearly impossible to" and ""almost impossible to"" are correct and have similar meanings. The choice between them often comes down to personal preference or stylistic considerations.

What are some alternatives to saying "nearly impossible to"?

Some alternatives to "nearly impossible to" include "virtually impossible to", "highly unlikely to", "exceedingly difficult to", or "a long shot to", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.