scarcely possible

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "scarcely possible" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express that something is very unlikely or difficult to achieve. Example: "Given the current circumstances, it seems scarcely possible to meet the deadline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

28 human-written examples

Which is scarcely possible, in any case.

The New York Times

And it is scarcely possible to say how much more willingly we imitate those we like".

Encyclopedia Britannica

It is scarcely possible to feel affection for bedded-out plants.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Now that they employ just one worker in eight, a mass exodus is scarcely possible.

The Economist

Because of the shallow rings it is scarcely possible to make them rise higher.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The mayor's public and private lives were then in such turmoil that it was scarcely possible to distinguish between them.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

30 human-written examples

It scarcely seems possible they had much brains.

The New Yorker

That would scarcely be possible, given the fierceness of the current laws.

The Economist

Life at court, of course, would scarcely be possible without war.

The New Yorker

And without "misappropriation theory," Khuzami's crusade against hedge funds would scarcely be possible.

The New York Times - Magazine

Trump's election victory is something Putin has fervently wished for, but scarcely thought possible.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "scarcely possible" when you want to express that something is highly unlikely but not entirely impossible. It conveys a sense of extreme difficulty or improbability.

Common error

Avoid using "scarcely possible" when something is genuinely impossible. The phrase implies a small chance, so choose stronger terms like "impossible" or "completely unachievable" if there is no possibility of occurrence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "scarcely possible" functions as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to indicate a low probability or extreme difficulty. As evidenced by Ludwig, it's used to express that something is unlikely but not entirely out of the question.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

28%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "scarcely possible" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to indicate something is highly unlikely but not completely impossible. Ludwig AI confirms its appropriateness for various contexts, particularly in news, science, and encyclopedic content. While alternatives like "barely achievable" or "highly improbable" exist, "scarcely possible" maintains a unique nuance. It's crucial to avoid using it when describing truly impossible scenarios. Remember to use this phrase when you want to express that a goal is difficult but not out of reach.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

barely achievable

Focuses on the difficulty of achievement rather than the low probability.

highly improbable

Emphasizes the low probability of something happening.

almost unattainable

Highlights the near impossibility of reaching a goal.

hardly feasible

Stresses the lack of practicality or suitability.

unlikely to happen

A more direct way of expressing low probability.

remotely possible

Implies a very slight chance of something occurring.

virtually impossible

Suggests a higher degree of impossibility than the original phrase.

questionable feasibility

Focuses on doubts about the practicality and achievability.

doubtful prospect

Highlights the uncertainty and unlikelihood of a positive outcome.

slim chance

Indicates a very low probability of success or occurrence.

FAQs

How to use "scarcely possible" in a sentence?

Use "scarcely possible" to indicate that something is very unlikely but not entirely impossible. Example: "It is "scarcely possible" to meet the deadline with the current resources."

What can I say instead of "scarcely possible"?

You can use alternatives like "barely achievable", "highly improbable", or "almost unattainable" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "scarcely possible" or "barely possible"?

Both "scarcely possible" and "barely possible" are correct, but "scarcely possible" implies a slightly lower probability than "barely possible".

What's the difference between "scarcely possible" and "virtually impossible"?

"Scarcely possible" suggests something is very unlikely, whereas "virtually impossible" implies it is so unlikely that it can be considered practically impossible.