perhaps impossible

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "perhaps impossible" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing uncertainty about the feasibility of a situation or task. Example: "Completing the project in one week is perhaps impossible given the current resources."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

But not, perhaps, impossible.

The Economist

"It is perhaps impossible".

The New Yorker

It is a difficult, perhaps impossible mandate.

The New York Times - Arts

That task was hard enough, perhaps impossible.

The Guardian - Opinion

Adopting such a regime would be politically difficult, perhaps impossible.

The New York Times

Raising interest rates sooner would have been politically difficult, and perhaps impossible.

The Economist

It suggests that shifting public and political opinion will be hard, perhaps impossible.

The Economist

But it's hard, perhaps impossible, to survive as someone else's fantasy.

The New Yorker

The environmentalists admit they have a tough, and perhaps impossible, cause to sell.

The New York Times

As a task, he finds it thorny, messy, perhaps impossible and deeply tantalizing.

The New York Times - Magazine

Hakeem Olajuwon will have the awesome and perhaps impossible task of stopping Shaquille O'Neal.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "perhaps impossible" when you want to express uncertainty about whether something can be done or achieved, without stating it as a definite impossibility.

Common error

Avoid using "perhaps impossible" when the situation is clearly impossible. "Perhaps" indicates uncertainty, so reserve it for situations where there's still a slight chance of success, no matter how small that might be.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "perhaps impossible" functions as a qualifier, softening the assertion of impossibility. It adds a degree of uncertainty, suggesting something is very difficult or unlikely but not definitively unattainable. As Ludwig indicates, it expresses uncertainty about feasibility.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

71%

Science

19%

Encyclopedias

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "perhaps impossible" serves as a qualifier to express uncertainty about the feasibility of something. It's grammatically correct and frequently used across various domains, including news, science, and encyclopedias, as Ludwig's examples illustrate. While alternatives like "possibly unattainable" or "potentially infeasible" exist, "perhaps impossible" strikes a balance between formality and accessibility. Remember to use it when you want to convey doubt without completely ruling out the possibility of success. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and widely used, making it a valuable tool for nuanced communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

possibly unattainable

Replaces "impossible" with "unattainable" to emphasize the idea of something being out of reach.

maybe unachievable

Substitutes "perhaps" with "maybe" and "impossible" with "unachievable" for a slightly less formal tone.

potentially infeasible

Uses "potentially" instead of "perhaps" and "infeasible" instead of "impossible" suggesting something might not be practical.

conceivably insurmountable

Replaces "perhaps" with "conceivably" and "impossible" with "insurmountable" to highlight the difficulty in overcoming something.

arguably unachievable

Employs "arguably" to suggest the impossibility is open to debate while "unachievable" emphasizes lack of success.

doubtfully feasible

Uses "doubtfully" to express skepticism and "feasible" to question whether something is practical or achievable.

questionably viable

Similar to 'doubtfully feasible', indicating uncertainty and lack of confidence in its success.

theoretically unattainable

Uses "theoretically" to express that while something may seem possible in theory, it is unlikely to happen.

hardly achievable

Replaces "perhaps impossible" with "hardly achievable" indicating a low probability of success.

realistically infeasible

Indicates that based on a realistic assessment, the task is not feasible.

FAQs

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

Use "perhaps impossible" to express a degree of uncertainty about something being achievable. For example, "Achieving world peace is "perhaps impossible", but we should still strive for it."

What are some alternatives to "perhaps impossible"?

You can use alternatives like "possibly unattainable", "maybe unachievable", or "potentially infeasible" depending on the context and desired level of formality.

Is it redundant to say "almost impossible" instead of "perhaps impossible"?

"Almost impossible" suggests that something is very difficult but still potentially achievable. "Perhaps impossible" conveys more uncertainty, implying that it might not be achievable at all. They have subtly different meanings.

When is it more appropriate to use "unlikely" versus "perhaps impossible"?

"Unlikely" suggests a low probability of success, while ""perhaps impossible"" indicates a stronger doubt about the feasibility of something. Use "unlikely" when there's still a reasonable chance, and ""perhaps impossible"" when the chances are very slim.