actually impossible

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "actually impossible" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to emphasize that something is truly not feasible or cannot be done, often in contrast to a previous assumption or suggestion. Example: "Despite their best efforts, the team realized that completing the project by the deadline was actually impossible."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

It was actually impossible to march the actual route, so we all fanned out and covered London, pretty much.

The Guardian - Opinion

It's not actually impossible.

The Economist

"It's actually impossible to learn in such conditions.

The Guardian

What if the secularist dream — a true separation of church and state — is actually impossible?

The New Yorker

Zeno of Elea, a follower of Parmenides, claimed that change is actually impossible and produced four paradoxes to show this.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"It's actually impossible to approach Packer like you would a normal character, with the lyricism and rhythms of the script.

The Guardian - Film

But this is not the whole answer, because it is actually impossible to determine norms of pronunciation in purely acoustic terms.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It is not that such a microscope has not been made; it is actually impossible to make one that will reveal this detail.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Try as we might to explain how a photon makes up its mind, it is actually impossible to predict which way a given photon will go.

The New York Times

12. Evaluate your employees on goals they have never seen before during a performance review Bonus points if some of those goals are actually impossible to achieve.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

In fact, it might actually be impossible to dislike a band with a chorus that goes "What took you so long/ Was there a queue at the post office?" However, this sound has been done, and done a lot.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "actually impossible" to emphasize the infeasibility of a task, plan, or idea, especially when there might be an initial expectation or hope that it could be done. For instance: "We thought we could finish the project in a week, but it turned out to be "actually impossible".

Common error

While "actually impossible" is widely used, avoid overusing it in very casual or informal settings where simpler phrases like "not possible" or "can't be done" might be more appropriate. Overusing it can sound overly dramatic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "actually impossible" functions as an intensifying modifier to the adjective "impossible". It serves to emphasize the complete lack of feasibility of a given situation. Ludwig AI validates this by showing frequent use across varied contexts, highlighting its role in stressing impossibility.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "actually impossible" is a commonly used phrase that emphasizes the infeasibility of something. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used. It functions as an intensifier, adding a layer of surprise or unexpectedness to the impossibility. While versatile, it's best used in contexts where emphasis is needed, avoiding overuse in overly casual settings. Similar phrases like "utterly unachievable" or "absolutely unfeasible" offer alternative ways to express a similar sentiment, and it is important to consider the nuance in your writing to determine the best fit. The phrase appears most frequently in News & Media and Science contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

utterly unachievable

Emphasizes the complete lack of possibility, highlighting that something cannot be done under any circumstances.

wholly unattainable

Focuses on the inability to reach a desired goal or state, stressing the distance and difficulty involved.

absolutely unfeasible

Highlights the impracticality and lack of viability of a plan or idea, suggesting it's not realistic.

flatly undoable

Directly states that something cannot be done, leaving no room for interpretation or doubt.

simply out of the question

Indicates that something is not worth considering because it is inappropriate or not allowed.

categorically unrealizable

Stresses that something cannot be made real or brought into existence, indicating a fundamental barrier.

patently unworkable

Points out the obvious flaws in a plan or method, indicating that it cannot be made to function effectively.

demonstrably not possible

Uses evidence to show that something cannot occur or be achieved, making it clear that it's not just unlikely, but proven false.

realistically insurmountable

Indicates that obstacles are too great to overcome, making achievement unlikely in real-world conditions.

quite beyond the realm of possibility

Emphasizes that something is outside the scope of what can happen, indicating that it's not even conceivable.

FAQs

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

Use "actually impossible" to emphasize that something is truly not feasible, especially when it contradicts initial assumptions. For example: "Despite our best efforts, completing the task on time proved "actually impossible".

What phrases are similar to "actually impossible"?

Similar phrases include "utterly unachievable", "absolutely unfeasible", or "simply out of the question". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it redundant to say "actually impossible"?

While "impossible" already implies a lack of possibility, adding "actually" can emphasize the unexpected or surprising nature of the infeasibility. It can be useful when clarifying a prior expectation.

When is it better to use "not possible" instead of "actually impossible"?

"Not possible" is generally more neutral and suitable for formal contexts. "Actually impossible" adds emphasis and may be more appropriate when highlighting a surprising or frustrating situation.