seemingly impossible

USAGE SUMMARY

"seemingly impossible" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You use it when something appears to be impossible but may actually be achievable. For example: "This task looks like it will be seemingly impossible, but I'm sure we can find a way to do it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Johnson makes the seemingly impossible look impossibly easy.

Huffington Post

This seemingly impossible task he performed splendidly.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Ubiquitous, unpredictable, and seemingly impossible to eradicate.

The New Yorker

Last Friday, the seemingly impossible happened.

The Guardian - Opinion

A seemingly impossible moment of happiness.

The Guardian

And they will meet seemingly impossible demands.

The New York Times

Seemingly impossible requests inspire Ms. Vogler.

The New York Times

Ultimately, he survived a seemingly impossible situation.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Can Scotland do the (seemingly) impossible in Spain?

The New York Times

DIPLOMACY is the art of the seemingly impossible.

The Economist

Both sides have red lines that make talks seemingly impossible.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "seemingly impossible" to introduce a situation that appears unachievable at first glance but might have a potential solution with enough effort or a novel approach.

Common error

Avoid using "seemingly impossible" as a definitive statement of impossibility; instead, use it to describe a challenge that warrants further investigation and innovative thinking.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "seemingly impossible" functions as an adjectival modifier, describing a noun (often a task, goal, or situation) as appearing impossible. Ludwig AI confirms this usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Academia

18%

Science

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "seemingly impossible" is a versatile adjectival phrase used to describe situations that appear unachievable, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. While widely used across various contexts, it's crucial to remember that it suggests an initial perception rather than a definitive impossibility. Its neutral to formal register makes it suitable for professional, academic, and news reporting. The phrase is particularly prevalent in "News & Media", "Academia", and "Science", with alternatives such as "apparently unattainable" offering similar but nuanced meanings. Remember to avoid overstating impossibility and instead encourage innovative thinking when using this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

apparently unattainable

Emphasizes the apparent lack of feasibility or reachability.

outwardly unachievable

Focuses on the external appearance of being impossible to achieve.

ostensibly insurmountable

Highlights the surface-level impression of being too difficult to overcome.

superficially unworkable

Stresses the initial assessment of a plan or idea as not practical.

facially unrealistic

Indicates that something does not seem likely or practical based on initial impressions.

visibly undoable

Implies that the impossibility is easily seen or apparent.

on the face of it, unachievable

Adds an idiomatic expression to indicate the initial impression of impossibility.

by all appearances, undoable

Suggests that based on all evidence, something cannot be done.

to all intents and purposes, impossible

Emphasizes that for all practical considerations, something is not possible.

so it would seem, unachievable

Adds a note of uncertainty or doubt to the assessment of impossibility.

FAQs

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

You can use "seemingly impossible" to describe tasks or situations that appear unachievable, like: "Climbing that mountain seemed "seemingly impossible" at first, but we eventually reached the summit."

What are some alternatives to "seemingly impossible"?

Alternatives include "apparently unattainable", "visibly undoable", or "ostensibly insurmountable" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to use "seemingly impossible" in formal writing?

Yes, "seemingly impossible" is appropriate for formal writing. Ludwig AI confirms its usage across various reputable sources, including news, academic, and business contexts.

What's the difference between "seemingly impossible" and "actually impossible"?

"Seemingly impossible" suggests something appears impossible but may not be, while "actually impossible" indicates a definitive impossibility. The former leaves room for potential solutions, while the latter does not.