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James do Posted 14 years ago
Grammar
"very difficult, if possible at all" - why "at all"?
hi,
"it is very difficult, if possible at all, to do something".
I can guess the meaning of this sentence. What I don't understand is why do we put "al all" after "if possible"? Can we just write
"it is very difficult, if possible, to do something"?
Also, can I use one of these two sentence in formal writing?
thank you very much!
"it is very difficult, if possible at all, to do something".
I can guess the meaning of this sentence. What I don't understand is why do we put "al all" after "if possible"? Can we just write
"it is very difficult, if possible, to do something"?
Also, can I use one of these two sentence in formal writing?
thank you very much!
Top answer
Hi, Your sentence would read better as: It is very difficult, if at all possible, to do something. If at all possible -- if it can be done. You could discard at all , but I think it lays emphasis on the sentence.
- Hi, Your sentence would read better as: It is very difficult, if at all possible, to do something.
- If at all possible -- if it can be done.
- You could discard at all , but I think it lays emphasis on the sentence.
- It shows that it is extremely difficult to do something.
- This sentence should be used in an appropriate context whether it is formal or not.
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4 Answers
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Hi,
Your sentence would read better as: It is very difficult, if at all possible, to do something.
If at all possible -- if it can be done.
You could discard at all, but I think it lays emphasis on the sentence. It shows that it is extremely difficult
to do something. This sentence should be used in an appropriate context whether it is formal
Your sentence would read better as: It is very difficult, if at all possible, to do something.
If at all possible -- if it can be done.
You could discard at all, but I think it lays emphasis on the sentence. It shows that it is extremely difficult
to do something. This sentence should be used in an appropriate context whether it is formal
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This is the most natural version. I have added a particular action, but you can use any action in its place
"it is very difficult, if impossible, to stop breathing for more than three minutes and live."
"it is very difficult, if impossible, to stop breathing for more than three minutes and live."
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AlpheccaStarsThis is the most natural version. I have added a particular action, but you can use any action in its place"it is very difficult, if impossible, to stop breathing for more than three minutes and live."thank you for your reply. Do you mean "it is very difficult, if not impossible, to stop breathing for more than three minutes and live"? Oth
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It is not possible for me to hold my breath for three minutes.
It is impossible for me to hold my breath for three minutes.
If you say "it is not impossible", you mean that it is possible.
Well, for me, it is not possible, it is absolutely impossible.
I cannot do it! I faint before three minutes is finished!
If you say "It is not impossible," then it is like winning t
It is impossible for me to hold my breath for three minutes.
If you say "it is not impossible", you mean that it is possible.
Well, for me, it is not possible, it is absolutely impossible.
I cannot do it! I faint before three minutes is finished!
If you say "It is not impossible," then it is like winning t
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