nigh on impossible

USAGE SUMMARY

'nigh on impossible' is a valid phrase and can be used in written English.
It is used to describe a situation or task that is very difficult to accomplish, and almost impossible to achieve. For example: "It's nigh on impossible for a single mom to balance a full-time job and childcare."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

36 human-written examples

"I want to congratulate Judd - he played fantastically well," said O'Sullivan. "Seven-one down against him was nigh on impossible.

BBC

With so many options to compete with, standing out as an exceptional employee can be nigh on impossible.

The Guardian

Right now, it is nigh on impossible.

The Economist

Recouping the outlay is also nigh on impossible.

The Guardian

I just think it's nigh on impossible now".

The Guardian - Sport

Played on a cramped DS screen, getting the right angles is nigh on impossible.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

24 human-written examples

The humid conditions meant that was nigh-on impossible.

Independent

"It's extremely difficult, nigh-on impossible in our view".

Independent

Avoiding every hint of conflict is nigh-on impossible.

The Economist

It would make taking lawful industrial action nigh-on impossible.

The Guardian

It is also nigh-on impossible to counter.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "nigh on impossible" to emphasize the extreme difficulty of a task or situation, but be mindful that it can sound slightly archaic or informal in some contexts. If you need a phrase with similar strength but less informal stick with alternatives such as "virtually impossible".

Common error

While "nigh on impossible" effectively conveys near impossibility, avoid overuse, especially in formal writing. Vary your language to maintain a professional tone. For example, avoid the common misuse like nigh on possible which is clearly grammatically incorrect.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "nigh on impossible" functions as an intensifier modifying the adjective "impossible". It emphasizes the extreme difficulty or improbability of something. Ludwig AI shows its use in various sentences, confirming its role in expressing a high degree of impossibility.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

95%

Formal & Business

2%

Science

1%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "nigh on impossible" is a phrase used to describe something that is very close to being impossible. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and prevalent use, although it's worth noting a slightly informal tone. Predominantly found in news and media, it's crucial to consider your target audience when using this expression and choose alternatives like "virtually impossible" for more formal contexts. While effective for emphasizing difficulty, avoiding overuse ensures that your writing remains clear and versatile.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

virtually impossible

This alternative uses "virtually" to soften the impact, suggesting something is almost, but not quite, impossible.

practically impossible

This alternative highlights the practical difficulties that make something almost impossible.

almost unachievable

This alternative focuses on the difficulty in reaching a particular goal or outcome.

borderline impossible

This alternative implies that something is very close to being impossible.

next to impossible

This alternative emphasizes the extreme difficulty, indicating a minimal chance of success.

extremely unlikely

This alternative focuses on the low probability of something happening.

highly improbable

This alternative uses a more formal tone to express low likelihood.

a long shot

This alternative describes something with a very low chance of success, often in a competitive context.

slim to no chance

This alternative directly indicates that the probability of something happening is very low, close to zero.

beyond reach

This alternative suggests that something is unattainable or inaccessible.

FAQs

What does "nigh on impossible" mean?

The phrase "nigh on impossible" means something is very close to being impossible. It indicates a task or situation is extremely difficult to achieve or overcome.

Is "nigh on impossible" formal or informal?

The phrase "nigh on impossible" leans towards being slightly informal. While acceptable in many contexts, more formal alternatives like "virtually impossible" might be preferable in academic or professional writing.

What can I say instead of "nigh on impossible"?

You can use alternatives like "almost impossible", "virtually impossible", or "practically impossible" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "nigh on possible"?

No, "nigh on possible" is not a correct or idiomatic phrase. The correct phrase to use when indicating something is close to being impossible is "nigh on impossible".