virtually impossible to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "virtually impossible to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or task that is extremely difficult or unlikely to be accomplished. Example: "Given the current circumstances, it is virtually impossible to meet the deadline for the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

So, yeah, virtually impossible to film.

The New York Times - Books

It's virtually impossible to know.

The New York Times

These conditions are virtually impossible to create artificially.

Independent

Many fees are virtually impossible to dodge, some employees say.

The New York Times

In some cases, this is virtually impossible to see.

The Economist

Such transshipments made the UN embargo virtually impossible to enforce.

Encyclopedia Britannica

This is easy to subpoena and virtually impossible to erase.

The Economist

It was virtually impossible to tell the devices apart.

The New York Times

"Any assessment would be virtually impossible to do," he said.

The New York Times

"Pastels are virtually impossible to laser off," Dr. Sturza said.

The New York Times

"With beliefs like that, it becomes virtually impossible to suppress".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "virtually impossible to", ensure that the context supports the strong assertion of near impossibility, as overuse can dilute its impact. Consider alternative phrasings if the situation presents merely significant difficulty.

Common error

Avoid using "virtually impossible to" when describing situations that are merely challenging or difficult. Reserve it for scenarios where success is genuinely and realistically unattainable. Overusing this phrase diminishes its impact and credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "virtually impossible to" functions as an adjective phrase that modifies a verb or noun, indicating the extreme difficulty or near impossibility of achieving something. As indicated by Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "virtually impossible to" is a versatile expression used to convey a strong sense of improbability or near impossibility. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically sound and readily accepted in formal and informal contexts. It appears frequently in news, media, and scientific publications, signifying its broad applicability. While there are similar phrases, such as "almost impossible to", "nearly impossible to", or "practically unachievable to", each carries slightly different nuances. It is recommended to reserve "virtually impossible to" for situations that genuinely approach impossibility, avoiding overuse to maintain its impact. Ultimately, understanding its function, purpose, and appropriate usage is critical for effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

practically unachievable to

Emphasizes the lack of practicality in achieving something.

almost insurmountable to

Highlights the extreme difficulty in overcoming an obstacle.

next to unattainable to

Focuses on the nearly unreachable nature of a goal.

effectively unrealizable to

Indicates that something is not capable of being made real or brought into being.

scarcely feasible to

Suggests a low likelihood of something being workable or practical.

barely manageable to

Highlights the struggle and difficulty in handling something.

all but hopeless to

Implies a strong sense of pessimism and lack of expectation for success.

tough to bring about to

Focuses on the difficulty in causing something to happen.

close to undoable to

Emphasizes how close the action is to being unable to be accomplished.

approaching unworkable to

Highlights that it is getting near not being in a condition to work or succeed.

FAQs

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

You can use "virtually impossible to" to describe something that is extremely difficult or unlikely to happen. For instance, "It's "virtually impossible to" predict the stock market's behavior" or "It is "virtually impossible to" please everyone".

What are some alternatives to the phrase "virtually impossible to"?

Some alternatives include phrases like "almost impossible to", "nearly impossible to", "practically unachievable to", or "extremely difficult to". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "literally impossible to" instead of "virtually impossible to"?

While both phrases express a high degree of difficulty, "literally impossible to" indicates a complete impossibility, while "virtually impossible to" suggests that something is so difficult that it is for all practical purposes impossible. The distinction lies in the potential, however slim, for success.

What's the difference between "virtually impossible to" and "highly improbable to"?

"Virtually impossible to" suggests an action or outcome is so difficult that success is not realistically attainable. "Highly improbable to", on the other hand, indicates that an outcome is very unlikely, but still possible. The former conveys a stronger sense of impossibility than the latter.