practically impossible

USAGE SUMMARY

"practically impossible" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to describe something that is highly unlikely or close to impossible to do. For example: "It's practically impossible for me to get the job done in just one day."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Practically impossible.

The Guardian

But it's practically impossible.

The New Yorker

Is it practically impossible?

The Guardian - Sport

"In two minutes, that was practically impossible," he said.

The New York Times - Sports

"An uprising against the military right now is practically impossible.

The New Yorker

To do more seemed technically and practically impossible.

The New York Times - Arts

"It's practically impossible to run against entrenched power," she said.

The New York Times

This, they found, would be practically impossible given local superstitions toward death.

The New Yorker

Consolidation is practically impossible outside limited geographies.

Forbes

Barriers to entry have become practically impossible to erect.

Forbes

Before the Internet, sharing knowledge so rapidly was practically impossible.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "practically impossible" to convey that something is extremely difficult and unlikely, but not theoretically impossible. This nuance can be important in technical or scientific contexts where absolute impossibility is rare.

Common error

Avoid using "practically impossible" when you mean something is merely difficult or challenging. The phrase should be reserved for situations where success is genuinely remote.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "practically impossible" functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun or pronoun. It describes the degree of difficulty or unlikelihood associated with an action, event or condition. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical validity and frequent usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Science

44%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "practically impossible" is a versatile and frequently used expression in English to indicate something is very difficult and unlikely, though not theoretically impossible. According to Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and appropriate in a wide range of contexts, from news and media to scientific writing. While alternatives like "virtually impossible" exist, the choice depends on the precise nuance you want to convey. Remember to reserve "practically impossible" for genuinely challenging situations to avoid overstatement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

virtually impossible

Emphasizes near impossibility; slightly stronger than the original phrase.

for all practical purposes impossible

Adds the qualifier of practical considerations, underlining that the result will likely be impossible to achieve in normal practice.

as good as impossible

Expresses a high degree of improbability, suggesting near impossibility.

almost unachievable

Focuses on the difficulty of achieving a goal, rather than the impossibility.

nearly unattainable

Similar to "almost unachievable", stressing the difficulty in reaching a desired state.

bordering on impossibility

Highlights that something is very close to being impossible.

realistically unfeasible

Highlights the impracticality of something in a real-world context.

in all likelihood impossible

Emphasizes the high probability of something being impossible.

effectively out of the question

Indicates that something is not a viable option or consideration.

scarcely feasible

Suggests that something is barely possible or achievable given the circumstances.

FAQs

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

You can use "practically impossible" to describe tasks or situations that are exceedingly difficult to accomplish. For example, "It's practically impossible to finish this project by tomorrow morning."

What phrases can I use instead of "practically impossible"?

Alternatives include "virtually impossible", "almost unachievable", or "nearly unattainable" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "practically unachievable" instead of "practically impossible"?

Yes, "practically unachievable" is a valid alternative, although "practically impossible" is more common. The best choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

What's the difference between "practically impossible" and "absolutely impossible"?

"Practically impossible" suggests that something is extremely unlikely due to practical constraints, while "absolutely impossible" implies a theoretical or fundamental impossibility. The former leaves a sliver of hope, while the latter does not.