virtually impossible to achieve

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "virtually impossible to achieve" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or goal that is extremely difficult, if not impossible, to accomplish. Example: "Given the current circumstances, it seems that reaching a consensus on this issue is virtually impossible to achieve."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

Experts say it would be virtually impossible to achieve much with more members.

The New York Times

Some analysts had also pointed out that his investment prowess was virtually impossible to achieve given the ups and downs of the stockmarket.

The Guardian - Business

Such a move would be virtually impossible to achieve, as it would require ratification by three-quarters of the country's 50 states.

The Guardian

But rural hospitals also suffer from multiple endemic disadvantages that drive down profit margins and make it virtually impossible to achieve economies of scale.

The Washington Post

The problem is that the shape memory performance is severely affected by temperature yet it is virtually impossible to achieve a high strength joint without using joining techniques with operating temperatures approaching or beyond the melting point of these alloys.

Materials Science and Engineering: A

The new contract is worth $771 million a year, which would have been virtually impossible to achieve if the tournament did not spread out to cable TV, which gets revenue from advertisers and subscribers.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

Perfection is almost impossible to achieve.

The New Yorker

"There may be some value in advertising now that will be impossible to achieve toward the end of the campaign, when virtually all of the advertising on television and radio is political".

The New York Times

I understand that's impossible to achieve.

The New York Times - Sports

That is impossible to achieve.

The New York Times

Impossible to achieve the correct phrasing.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "virtually impossible to achieve" to convey a strong sense of improbability, but avoid overusing it in close proximity to other hyperbolic expressions. Vary your language for emphasis.

Common error

Don't confuse "virtually impossible to achieve" with "difficult to achieve". "Virtually" implies near impossibility, not just significant difficulty. If something is merely hard, choose a different phrasing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "virtually impossible to achieve" functions as an adjectival phrase modifying an implied noun (the goal or task). It describes something as being extremely difficult, bordering on impossibility. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and frequent usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "virtually impossible to achieve" is a common and grammatically sound way to express that a goal is extremely unlikely to be reached. It's prevalent in news, scientific, and formal business contexts. As highlighted by Ludwig, it's essential to use it when conveying a high degree of improbability, rather than simple difficulty. Remember to consider synonyms like "almost unachievable" or "nearly unattainable" to add variety to your writing. By understanding its usage and nuances, you can effectively communicate the challenges and limitations in various situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

almost unachievable

Replaces "virtually impossible" with a more concise synonym, slightly reducing the emphasis on complete impossibility.

nearly unattainable

Focuses on the difficulty of obtaining the goal, emphasizing its remoteness.

effectively out of reach

Highlights the inaccessibility of the goal, framing it as beyond practical reach.

realistically unfeasible

Emphasizes the lack of feasibility based on a realistic assessment of the situation.

de facto impossible to accomplish

Uses "de facto" to specify that the impossibility arises from practical circumstances rather than a formal barrier.

as good as impossible to realize

Emphasizes that the realization is close to impossible

borderline undoable

Uses a more informal term ("undoable") to soften the statement.

outside the realm of possibility

Presents the goal as existing beyond what is possible, emphasizing its unlikelihood.

approaching impossibility in practice

Highlights that the impossibility is evident from the practical results.

tantamount to an unachievable task

Equates the goal with a task that is essentially unachievable.

FAQs

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

You can use "virtually impossible to achieve" to describe a goal that is extremely unlikely to be reached. For example: "Given the current circumstances, a peaceful resolution seems "virtually impossible to achieve"."

What are some alternatives to "virtually impossible to achieve"?

Some alternatives include "almost unachievable", "nearly unattainable", or "effectively out of reach", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it better to say "almost impossible to achieve" or "virtually impossible to achieve"?

Both "almost impossible to achieve" and "virtually impossible to achieve" are acceptable. "Virtually" emphasizes that the impossibility is true in effect or essence, if not strictly in fact, making it slightly stronger than "almost".

What's the difference between "difficult to achieve" and "virtually impossible to achieve"?

"Difficult to achieve" implies that a goal is challenging but still possible with effort. "Virtually impossible to achieve" suggests that the goal is so challenging that it is not realistically attainable.