virtually impossible

USAGE SUMMARY

"virtually impossible" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when something is extremely difficult to do, so much so that it can be considered as close to impossible as possible. For example: "Finding a parking spot in city centre during rush hour is virtually impossible."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It's virtually impossible.

The New York Times

Escape was virtually impossible.

The New York Times

This is virtually impossible.

The Economist

"Insurgency is virtually impossible.

The New York Times

Pacing oneself, thus, is virtually impossible.

The New York Times

"Winning is virtually impossible," he would say.

The Economist

So, yeah, virtually impossible to film.

The New York Times - Books

Decision-making is virtually impossible.

The Guardian

Such proof is virtually impossible.

The New York Times

Today, that seems virtually impossible.

The New Yorker

It's virtually impossible to know.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "virtually impossible" when you want to emphasize the extreme difficulty of something without stating it's absolutely impossible. It allows for a slight possibility, however improbable.

Common error

Avoid using "virtually impossible" when something is definitively impossible. Use "impossible" instead to maintain accuracy and avoid misleading your audience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "virtually impossible" functions as an adjectival phrase modifying a noun or pronoun. It qualifies the degree of impossibility, indicating something is extremely difficult, as Ludwig AI confirms.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Wiki

14%

Science

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "virtually impossible" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to indicate that something is extremely difficult to achieve, bordering on impossible. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage is correct and effective in conveying a high degree of difficulty. While "impossible" denotes complete impossibility, "virtually impossible" leaves a small possibility open. Its primary function is to emphasize the unlikelihood of an event or task, and it maintains a neutral register suitable for various contexts, as demonstrated by its presence in news, scientific articles, and general discussions. When using this phrase, avoid overstating situations that are truly impossible and consider alternative phrasing like "practically unachievable" for more formal communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

practically unachievable

This alternative emphasizes the practical difficulties involved, highlighting that success is unlikely.

almost unattainable

This phrase focuses on the difficulty in reaching a desired outcome, suggesting it's just beyond reach.

in effect impossible

This alternative suggests that while not technically impossible, the effect is the same as if it were.

tantamount to impossible

This phrase indicates that the situation is equivalent to being impossible, though not explicitly stated as such.

as good as impossible

This emphasizes how close the situation is to being completely impossible, using a common idiom.

realistically infeasible

This highlights that in practical terms, the task is not feasible or viable.

nigh on impossible

This idiom suggests that the task is nearly impossible, using a slightly archaic expression.

for all intents and purposes impossible

This alternative conveys the idea that although it may be technically possible, it is not achievable under normal circumstances.

effectively impossible

This phrase indicates that the practical outcome is the same as if the task were impossible.

scarcely possible

This highlights the minimal chance of success, suggesting it's barely within the realm of possibility.

FAQs

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

You can use "virtually impossible" to describe tasks or situations that are extremely difficult to achieve. For example, "It's virtually impossible to find a seat on the train during rush hour".

What's a more formal alternative to "virtually impossible"?

In formal contexts, you might consider using alternatives like "practically unachievable" or "realistically infeasible" to convey a similar meaning with a more sophisticated tone.

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

"Virtually impossible" suggests that something is extremely difficult but not entirely out of the realm of possibility, while "impossible" means that something cannot be done at all. "Virtually impossible" leaves a small window of chance, whereas "impossible" does not.

Are there any contexts where "virtually impossible" should be avoided?

Avoid using "virtually impossible" in highly technical or scientific contexts where absolute precision is required. In such cases, it's better to quantify the probability or difficulty more precisely.