seems not possible

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'seems not possible' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express doubt or disbelief in the possibility of something. For example: "It seems not possible that they could have traveled over 100 miles in one day."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

However, since B is fixed and H time-varying, it seems not possible to meet such condition.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

In our study, fuel prices are characterized by non-stationary stochastic processes, because it seems not possible to make the prediction of these prices in the long term.

Journal of Shipping and Trade

Nevertheless, even under the "best" circumstances of a very experienced team, it seems not possible to overcome the limitation of an increased cost.

Gynecological Surgery

If a full recovery from post-traumatic osteopenia seems not possible in adults [ 20- 22], it is expected in children and in adolescents [ 2, 23, 24].

BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders

This problem is especially evident in the case of viruses, and, in fact, it seems not possible to accurately estimate the fraction of viral DNA in metagenomes merely based on genomic reference data.

Bioinformatics

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

"Things that up to now seemed not possible are all of a sudden not only possible, but quick action is possible with lots of countries," he said.

The New York Times

This year, change seems not only possible but imminent.

The Washington Post

For neon seeding such regime of operation seems not to be possible.

Journal of Nuclear Materials

It all seemed not only possible, but fantastically so.

The New York Times

It's such an impressive performance that stadiums seem not only possible but imminent.

The Guardian - Music

It's a drink so light and fragrant that it makes summer seem not just possible but imminent.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "seems not possible" to express a strong degree of doubt, but consider whether a more precise term like "unlikely" or "infeasible" might be more appropriate for your context.

Common error

Avoid using "seems not possible" when you simply mean something is difficult or improbable. Overusing strong negative phrases can weaken your argument.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "seems not possible" functions as a qualifier, expressing doubt or disbelief regarding the potential for a particular event or outcome. It suggests a strong lack of feasibility but doesn't necessarily denote absolute impossibility, as suggested by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "seems not possible" is a grammatically sound expression used to convey doubt or disbelief regarding the potential for something to occur. While correct, alternative phrases like "seems unlikely" or "appears improbable" may be more precise depending on the context. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. It appears most frequently in news and scientific contexts. When writing, avoid overstating impossibility and ensure the phrase aligns with the intended degree of doubt.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

seems unlikely

Expresses a lower degree of possibility, suggesting something is not expected to happen.

seems unrealistic

Highlights a lack of grounding in reality or practical considerations.

does not seem feasible

Emphasizes practicality and the ability to be done or achieved.

appears unachievable

Highlights the difficulty in reaching a certain goal or outcome.

appears improbable

Focuses on low probability rather than outright impossibility; emphasizes likelihood.

seems unattainable

Suggests something is beyond reach or difficult to obtain.

is difficult to imagine

Emphasizes the challenge of envisioning something happening.

is hardly conceivable

Indicates that something is difficult to imagine or believe.

appears beyond reach

Highlights that something is inaccessible or unattainable.

appears questionable

Raises doubts about the validity or possibility of something.

FAQs

What does "seems not possible" mean?

The phrase "seems not possible" indicates that something appears unlikely or difficult to achieve, though not necessarily completely impossible. It conveys doubt about the feasibility of a situation or outcome.

When is it appropriate to use "seems not possible" in writing?

Use "seems not possible" when you want to express a strong sense of doubt about whether something can happen or be achieved. Consider alternatives like "seems unlikely" or "appears improbable" if you mean something is just improbable, not necessarily impossible.

What are some phrases similar to "seems not possible"?

Synonymous phrases include "does not seem feasible", "appears unachievable", and "seems unattainable". The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "seems not possible" grammatically correct?

Yes, "seems not possible" is grammatically correct, although it might sound slightly formal or emphatic. According to Ludwig, its use is correct and usable in written English.