realistically impossible

USAGE SUMMARY

"realistically impossible" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used to describe any situation that seems to be impossible but has some basis in reality. For example: "Jumping over a building in a single bound is realistically impossible."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Jayne Anne Phillips renders what is realistically impossible with such authority that the reader never questions its truth.

The New York Times - Books

While complete content saturation is realistically impossible, the concept of data saturation describes the point when interviews no longer reveal substantial new or relevant information, and analytical categories are sufficiently well developed based on content present in completed interviews.

American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

The cap on rent makes it realistically nearly impossible for any service member in Southern California to avail himself or herself of this provision.

Los Angeles Times

City health officials say the 17-page brochure, which has been in circulation since June 2007, simply recognizes that, realistically, it is impossible to stop every intravenous drug user.

The New York Times

Realistically it's impossible to eliminate all bugs from food grown outdoors, no matter how small the manufacturer -- but there is a certain ick-factor involved with the idea that there could be maggots in your food in any amount or form.

Huffington Post

"Realistically, it's almost impossible to make it profitable," he said of on-demand valet services.

The Washington Post

Even though there are those like the late Terry Pratchett, whose last novel has hit the bookshops, or Robin Williams, who died last year but will still apparently posthumously "release" four films, it is impossible to realistically control how – and indeed, if – your image, your work and your legacy are remembered when you are dead.

Independent

But Best said that, realistically, it would be impossible to monitor the movement of every potential hooligan.

Los Angeles Times

Realistically, however, it is impossible to completely guard against the introduction of infectious diseases, including cholera, into new populations and places, given the mobility of vast numbers of persons, animals, and products around the globe.

Emerging Infectious Diseases

However, an ideal mask is impossible to obtain realistically; thus, approximations to it are required.

EURASIP Journal on Audio, Speech, and Music Processing

But realistically, they're facing an impossible task.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "realistically impossible" to temper absolute impossibility with a grounding in real-world conditions. This conveys a sense of extreme unlikelihood rather than complete impossibility.

Common error

Avoid using "realistically impossible" as a mere intensifier. It's most effective when highlighting a plan or situation that, while theoretically conceivable, faces insurmountable practical obstacles.

Linguistic Context

"Realistically impossible" functions as an adjectival phrase that modifies a noun or noun phrase. It serves to qualify the nature of the impossibility, indicating that it stems from practical considerations rather than purely theoretical ones. Ludwig AI confirms this phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "realistically impossible" is a grammatically correct adjectival phrase used to describe something that is, for all practical purposes, unattainable. Ludwig confirms its usability. While infrequent, it appears in credible sources like news media and scientific publications. It's crucial to employ it when emphasizing practical constraints over theoretical impossibilities. Consider alternatives such as "practically unachievable" or "virtually unattainable" to fine-tune the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

realistically unachievable

Directly mirrors the original phrase by replacing 'impossible' with 'unachievable'.

effectively impossible

Highlights that something is impossible due to practical constraints, even if theoretically possible.

not realistically viable

Suggests that something lacks the necessary conditions to succeed in a practical setting.

practically unachievable

Emphasizes the lack of practical means to achieve something, rather than absolute impossibility.

virtually unattainable

Highlights the extreme difficulty in attaining something, suggesting it's close to impossible.

highly improbable in practice

Shifts the focus to the low probability of something occurring in a real-world scenario.

almost certainly not feasible

Indicates a strong belief that something is not workable or achievable.

unlikely to happen in reality

Focuses on the low chance of an event occurring in a real-world context.

difficult to imagine actually working

Emphasizes the challenge in envisioning a successful implementation of something.

scarcely possible under normal circumstances

Indicates that something is only possible under highly unusual or exceptional conditions.

FAQs

What does "realistically impossible" mean?

The phrase "realistically impossible" describes a situation or task that, while not theoretically impossible, is so improbable or impractical as to be considered unattainable in reality. It suggests that the conditions or resources required for success are so unlikely to align that achieving the goal is effectively out of reach.

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

You can use "realistically impossible" to describe goals or situations that are theoretically possible but highly improbable. For example, "Achieving zero emissions by next year is "realistically impossible" given current technology and infrastructure."

What are some alternatives to "realistically impossible"?

Some alternatives to "realistically impossible" include "practically unachievable", "virtually unattainable", or "not realistically viable". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it redundant to say "realistically impossible"?

While "impossible" alone often implies a lack of feasibility, adding "realistically" emphasizes the practical constraints that make something unattainable, rather than a theoretical or logical impossibility. It is not necessarily redundant, as it adds a layer of specificity.