are impossible to get

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are impossible to get" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express that something cannot be obtained or achieved. Example: "The rare artifacts from that ancient civilization are impossible to get due to their historical significance and legal restrictions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

25 human-written examples

You may have to drive further, but if flights are impossible to get or impossibly expensive, you might be surprised by the ease of use and friendlier prices of smaller airports.

WikiHow

"Italian wines are impossible to get.

The New York Times

Talk: Report on the servant situation in N.Y.C. Certain kinds of help are impossible to get.

The New Yorker

I read these books constantly, as they are impossible to get bored of.

The Guardian

Other operators lure you in by securing the best rooms which are impossible to get into without a good connection.

The Guardian - Travel

We're seeing a lot of market town developments that are impossible to get to except by car.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

33 human-written examples

It was impossible to get support.

The New York Times

"It is impossible to get a loan".

The New York Times - Magazine

"It's impossible to get away".

The New Yorker

It's impossible to get bored.

Independent

"Arkansas is impossible to get".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing something as "are impossible to get", ensure the context clearly explains why it is impossible. Be specific about the factors that contribute to its unattainability. This adds credibility and depth to your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "are impossible to get" lightly. Ensure you have sufficient evidence or reasoning to support this strong claim. Overusing it can weaken your argument and make it sound hyperbolic. Instead of saying things like "concert tickets are impossible to get", you can indicate that they are "hard to get" or "difficult to obtain".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are impossible to get" functions as a predicative adjective phrase, modifying a noun to indicate that it is unattainable or unobtainable. Ludwig AI analysis shows this is a statement of impossibility. For example, "Italian wines are impossible to get."

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "are impossible to get" is grammatically correct and commonly used to express that something is unattainable. Ludwig AI confirms its clear and direct meaning. Predominantly found in News & Media sources, its register is generally neutral. When using this phrase, ensure you can justify the strong claim of impossibility with specific reasons. Consider alternative expressions like "cannot be obtained" or "are unattainable" for more formal or nuanced contexts. Remember to adjust the verb conjugation ("is" vs "are") based on whether you are referring to a singular or plural subject.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are unattainable

Replaces "impossible to get" with a single adjective emphasizing the lack of attainability.

cannot be obtained

Uses a more formal and passive voice construction.

are out of reach

Employs a spatial metaphor to indicate impossibility.

are unachievable

Similar to "unattainable", but focuses on the aspect of achievement.

are beyond reach

Similar to "out of reach", but emphasizes the extent of the impossibility.

are not obtainable

Directly negates the possibility of obtaining something.

are unobtainable

A more formal synonym for "unattainable".

are not to be had

An idiomatic expression indicating unavailability.

are inaccessible

Highlights the lack of access to something.

are off-limits

Indicates that something is prohibited or restricted.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "are impossible to get" to sound more formal?

In a more formal context, consider using phrases like "cannot be obtained", "are unattainable", or "are inaccessible".

What are some common situations where things "are impossible to get"?

The phrase "are impossible to get" is often used when referring to rare collectibles, tickets to highly popular events, or documents that require extensive bureaucratic processes. For example, "certain vintage wines are impossible to get" or "access to classified information is impossible to get without proper clearance".

Is it correct to say "is impossible to get" instead of "are impossible to get"?

The correct usage depends on the subject. Use "is impossible to get" for singular subjects and "are impossible to get" for plural subjects. For example, "a reservation at that restaurant is impossible to get", while "tickets for the final game are impossible to get".

What's the difference between "are hard to get" and "are impossible to get"?

"Are hard to get" implies that something is difficult to obtain but still potentially achievable. "Are impossible to get" indicates that there is no possibility of obtaining it, often due to insurmountable obstacles or restrictions. For example, gold is "hard to get", but getting a time-turner like in Harry Potter is impossible.