statistically impossible

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "statistically impossible" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing probabilities or outcomes that are so unlikely that they can be considered impossible within a statistical framework. Example: "Given the data we have, the chance of winning the lottery twice in a row is statistically impossible."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

50 human-written examples

"Getting a sack is almost statistically impossible".

The New York Times - Sports

The latter event is, indeed, essentially statistically impossible.

The New Yorker

The only definite is it's statistically impossible for Nader to win -- or Buchanan".

The New York Times

Most teachers' scores fall somewhere in a wide range, with perfection statistically impossible.

The New York Times

Yet there are enormous risks and problems inherent in all mathematical models (witness the "statistically impossible" financial collapse of 2008).

The Guardian

What this looks like: Admit the flaw in the "all schools should be better than average" model – it's statistically impossible.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

10 human-written examples

"Beating Bayern three times a season is statistically almost impossible," he said.

The Guardian - Sport

Although on the website, the code is never associated with the candidate's name, Scantegrity ensures that if just 2percentt of voters confirm their codes, it's statistically almost impossible for vote tampering to go undetected.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

There are two large blocs – statistician Derek Gatherer characterised them as "The Baltic Bloc" and "The Viking Empire" in his 2006 paper Comparison of Eurovision Song Contest Simulation with Actual Results Reveals Shifting Patterns of Collusive Voting Alliances – which are statistically almost impossible to defeat, depending on how many members get into the final 26.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

For example, 94% of college professors think they do above average work (which is nearly impossible, statistically speaking).

University of California, Berkeley

It's next to impossible, statistically speaking, that this overlap was the result of chance.

The New York Times - Health

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Be aware that using this phrase can come off as hyperbolic, so employ it when you want to emphasize the extreme unlikelihood of an event. Ensure that you’re not unintentionally misleading or overstating the impossibility when a less absolute term would suffice.

Common error

A common mistake is using "statistically impossible" to describe events that are merely improbable or surprising, without any actual statistical analysis to back up the claim. Doing so weakens your argument and could mislead your audience. Always ensure that you have statistical reasoning before using this phrase.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "statistically impossible" functions as an adjective phrase that modifies a noun, describing something as so improbable that it is considered practically unable to occur based on statistical analysis. As Ludwig AI suggests, this phrase is correct and usable in English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Science

41%

Academia

18%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "statistically impossible" is a grammatically correct and frequently used term to describe events with an exceedingly low probability. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and utility. Its usage spans across news, science, and academia, signaling a neutral to formal register. While synonyms like "highly improbable" and "extremely unlikely" exist, "statistically impossible" carries a stronger emphasis on the near-zero likelihood. It’s important to use this phrase judiciously, supported by statistical evidence, to avoid overstating the case.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

virtually impossible

Indicates a condition that is so unlikely that it can be treated as impossible.

effectively impossible

Indicates that although not strictly impossible, the barriers are so significant it's as good as impossible.

extremely unlikely

Similar to 'highly improbable' but suggests an even lower chance.

highly improbable

Implies a low probability but doesn't completely rule out the possibility.

for all practical purposes impossible

Acknowledges that while technically possible, it's not feasible in reality.

near certainty of not occurring

Focuses on the almost definite absence of an event.

vanishingly small chance

Emphasizes the minuscule probability of something happening.

outside the realm of possibility

Suggests that the event is not considered a realistic outcome.

beyond the bounds of probability

Highlights that the chance is so low that it defies statistical expectation.

astronomically improbable

Uses hyperbole to denote an exceptionally low probability, likening it to astronomical scales.

FAQs

What does "statistically impossible" mean?

The phrase "statistically impossible" describes an event with such a low probability that it's considered practically unable to occur based on statistical models and data.

When is it appropriate to use the term "statistically impossible"?

Use "statistically impossible" when referring to events or outcomes that have been rigorously analyzed and found to have an extremely low probability of occurring. It's most appropriate in contexts where statistical accuracy is important.

What can I say instead of "statistically impossible"?

You can use alternatives like "highly improbable", "extremely unlikely", or "virtually impossible" depending on the context.

How does "statistically impossible" differ from "improbable" or "unlikely"?

"Statistically impossible" implies a much lower probability than "improbable" or "unlikely". While those terms suggest something is not expected, "statistically impossible" suggests the event is so rare it's almost certain not to happen within a given statistical framework.