next to impossible

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "next to impossible" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when a situation is incredibly difficult but not necessarily impossible. For example, "Finishing this project in one day is next to impossible."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It's next to impossible.

The New York Times - Style

The latter is next to impossible.

The Economist

"Today," she said, "it's next to impossible".

The New Yorker

As it is, it's next to impossible.

The Guardian - Books

Having a family is next to impossible.

The New York Times - Style

Mounting a comeback off Kershaw was next to impossible.

The New York Times

Achieving what Americans call "closure" will be next to impossible.

The Economist

The first task is daunting, the second next to impossible.

The Economist

That makes gauging a rebound next to impossible.

The New York Times

She said communication with them was next to impossible.

The New York Times

It is next to impossible to imagine McConnell going anywhere.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "next to impossible" to emphasize the difficulty of an action or situation, but acknowledge a slim chance of success. Avoid using it when something is truly 100% unachievable.

Common error

Avoid using "next to impossible" when a task is definitively impossible. This phrase implies a slight chance of success, so ensure it accurately reflects the situation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "next to impossible" functions as an adjectival phrase modifying a noun or pronoun, indicating a high degree of difficulty or unlikelihood. Ludwig confirms its correct and widespread usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "next to impossible" is a common and grammatically correct way to express that something is extremely difficult but not entirely unachievable. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is widely used across various contexts, particularly in news and media. While generally neutral in register, consider using more precise language in formal scientific writing. Alternatives include phrases like "virtually impossible" or "highly improbable". Avoid overstating impossibility and ensure the phrase accurately reflects the slim chance of success.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

virtually impossible

Emphasizes the extreme difficulty, bordering on impossibility, with minimal chance of success.

well-nigh impossible

An archaic but still usable phrase that means 'almost impossible' or 'virtually impossible'.

borders on impossibility

Suggests that something is so difficult that it nearly reaches the point of being impossible.

almost unachievable

Focuses on the difficulty in achieving a specific goal, highlighting the low probability of attainment.

approaching impossibility

Similar to 'borders on impossibility', this indicates a situation that is nearing the state of being impossible.

highly improbable

Stresses the unlikelihood of an event occurring, suggesting a low probability based on available evidence.

extremely unlikely

Highlights the low chance of something happening, indicating a rare or unusual occurrence.

scarcely feasible

Points to the practicality and feasibility of an action, suggesting that it's barely achievable under current conditions.

realistically unattainable

Indicates that achieving something is not possible given the current understanding or circumstances.

incredibly difficult

Focuses specifically on the high level of difficulty involved, rather than the impossibility.

FAQs

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

You can use "next to impossible" to describe tasks or situations that are extremely difficult but not entirely unachievable. For example, "Finding a parking spot downtown during rush hour is "next to impossible"."

What are some alternatives to "next to impossible"?

Alternatives include "virtually impossible", "almost unachievable", or "highly improbable". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "near to impossible" instead of "next to impossible"?

While "near to impossible" is understandable, ""next to impossible"" is the more common and idiomatic expression.

What's the difference between "next to impossible" and "completely impossible"?

"Next to impossible" suggests a very low probability of success, whereas "completely impossible" indicates that something cannot be done under any circumstances.