quite impossible

USAGE SUMMARY

"quite impossible" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is generally used to emphasize that something is extremely unlikely or difficult to achieve. Examples: 1. "It is quite impossible for me to finish this project by tomorrow. I simply don't have enough time." 2. "The idea of traveling to Mars in the near future may seem quite impossible, but with advancements in technology, it could become a reality." 3. "He thought it was quite impossible to beat his opponent, but with determination and hard work, he was able to emerge as the winner." 4. "The task of climbing the highest mountain in the world seemed quite impossible, but the climbers persevered and eventually reached the summit." Overall, "quite impossible" is a strong and effective phrase to convey the idea that something is extremely difficult or unlikely to happen.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"It was quite impossible to stand up.

The Guardian

Ha! I'm afraid that's quite impossible.

The Guardian - Travel

I am truly dangerous, for it is quite impossible for me to hate anyone--quite impossible".

The New Yorker

FRANK: The relations between him and myself became quite impossible.

Yale University

Quite extraordinary and quite impossible to imagine in France".

The Guardian - Books

Maybe it's not yet quite impossible to shock after all.

Independent

It's quite impossible to predict which expressions will catch on.

Independent

Summing up 10 intimate years is quite impossible.

The Guardian - Music

Comparing this to previous albums is quite impossible and nearly unjust.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Sadly, as I live in Portugal, it's quite impossible for the moment being.

Princeton University

It is quite impossible to think seriously of living anywhere else.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "quite impossible" to express a strong degree of improbability or difficulty, especially when a simpler "impossible" might seem too absolute. It adds nuance without sacrificing impact.

Common error

While effective, "quite impossible" can sound slightly informal in certain contexts. Opt for more formal alternatives like "highly improbable" or "unfeasible" in academic or professional writing to maintain a polished tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "quite impossible" functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to describe something deemed highly improbable or unachievable. Ludwig examples confirm its use to emphasize impossibility.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Academia

22%

Science

22%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "quite impossible" is a grammatically sound and frequently used adjectival phrase that effectively communicates a high degree of improbability. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's deemed correct for general usage. While adaptable to various contexts, it appears most commonly in news, academic, and scientific sources. When writing, consider balancing its emphatic tone with the desired level of formality, potentially opting for synonyms like "virtually impossible" or "highly improbable" depending on the audience and writing purpose. The phrase ranks high in both source quality and expert rating suggesting consistent and reliable usage across diverse domains.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

virtually impossible

Replaces "quite" with "virtually", softening the tone slightly while maintaining the sense of near impossibility.

practically impossible

Substitutes "quite" with "practically", focusing on the lack of feasibility in a real-world context.

almost impossible

Uses "almost" instead of "quite", indicating a slightly higher chance of possibility, though still very unlikely.

utterly impossible

Replaces "quite" with "utterly", amplifying the sense of impossibility and making it more emphatic.

completely unachievable

Replaces the entire phrase with a more descriptive alternative, emphasizing the inability to achieve something.

simply not possible

Offers a straightforward and direct way of expressing impossibility, suitable for informal contexts.

out of the question

Presents impossibility as something that is not even worth considering or discussing.

beyond the realm of possibility

Highlights the impossibility by placing it outside the boundaries of what is conceivable.

not a snowball's chance in hell

Uses an idiomatic expression to convey extreme improbability, adding a touch of informality and humor.

a pipe dream

Replaces the sense of impossibility with the idea of something being an unrealistic or fanciful hope.

FAQs

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

You can use "quite impossible" to describe something that is very unlikely or difficult to achieve. For example: "It's "quite impossible" to predict the future" or "Reaching Mars by next year is "quite impossible" with current technology".

What phrases are similar to "quite impossible"?

Alternatives to "quite impossible" include "virtually impossible", "practically impossible", or "almost impossible". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "quite impossible" the same as "impossible"?

While similar, "quite impossible" adds a degree of emphasis. "Impossible" states something cannot happen, while "quite impossible" suggests it's extremely unlikely or difficult, possibly with a hint of disbelief or exaggeration. So, it is more emphatic than just "impossible".

When is it appropriate to use "quite impossible"?

It's appropriate to use "quite impossible" in both formal and informal contexts where you want to emphasize the unlikelihood or difficulty of something. It is important to consider the tone and audience. In some cases, a more formal alternative like "highly improbable" may be more appropriate.