an impossible task

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of a sentence "an impossible task" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation or challenge that is too difficult to complete or to accomplish. For example: "Working with the limited resources available, he faced an impossible task to rebuild the burned down bridge."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Is that an impossible task?

The New Yorker

It seems an impossible task.

Independent

What an impossible task!

The Guardian

"It's an impossible task".

The New York Times

Set an impossible task, the inquest failed.

The Guardian

It is not an impossible task.

The Economist

It was an impossible task, of course.

The Guardian - Arts

It would be an impossible task.

The Guardian

He was faced with an impossible task.

The New York Times - Books

But this is an impossible task.

The Guardian - Music

"For me, it's almost an impossible task".

The New York Times - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "an impossible task", ensure the context clearly illustrates why the task is deemed impossible. Provide specific details or reasons to strengthen your claim.

Common error

Avoid using "an impossible task" for situations that are merely difficult or challenging. Reserve it for scenarios where success is genuinely unattainable, or you risk losing credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an impossible task" functions as a noun phrase that typically serves as a subject complement or object in a sentence. Ludwig confirms its role in describing something unattainable or exceptionally difficult.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Science

15%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an impossible task" is a common noun phrase used to describe a goal or objective that is unattainable. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and appears most frequently in news and media contexts. When using this phrase, ensure that the context genuinely warrants such a strong declaration of impossibility, as overstating the difficulty could undermine your credibility. Consider using alternatives like "a hopeless endeavor" or "an unachievable goal" to convey similar meanings with varying degrees of emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an unachievable goal

Focuses on the inability to reach the desired outcome.

an insurmountable challenge

Highlights the difficulty as a barrier that cannot be overcome.

a mission impossible

Highlights the extreme difficulty and apparent impossibility of the task, often with a sense of excitement or drama.

a Herculean task

Focuses on the immense effort and strength required, implying near impossibility.

a hopeless endeavor

Emphasizes the futility and lack of any chance of success.

an exercise in futility

Highlights the uselessness and lack of any meaningful result from the effort.

an unrealistic expectation

Emphasizes that the task is based on a flawed or impractical assessment of what is possible.

a lost cause

Suggests that further effort is pointless because the outcome is already determined.

a fool's errand

Implies that the task is not only impossible but also demonstrates a lack of good judgment.

a Sisyphean task

Refers to a task that is both impossible and requires endless, repetitive effort.

FAQs

How can I use "an impossible task" in a sentence?

Use "an impossible task" to describe something that cannot be achieved, such as: "Reversing climate change completely might seem like "an impossible task", but every small step counts."

What are some alternatives to saying "an impossible task"?

Depending on the nuance you want to convey, you can use alternatives like "a hopeless endeavor", "a mission impossible", or "an unachievable goal".

Is it correct to say "a nearly impossible task"?

Yes, "a nearly impossible task" is a correct and commonly used phrase. It describes a task that is extremely difficult but not necessarily completely unattainable.

What is the difference between "a difficult task" and "an impossible task"?

"A difficult task" implies that the task requires significant effort and skill but is still achievable. "An impossible task", on the other hand, means the task is unattainable regardless of effort or skill.