are insurmountable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are insurmountable" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe challenges or obstacles that cannot be overcome or dealt with effectively. Example: "The financial difficulties faced by the company are insurmountable, leading to its eventual closure."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

And with Messi, no odds are insurmountable.

The New York Times - Sports

But the Serb doesn't believe these challenges are insurmountable.

The Guardian - Sport

There's no principled reason to think that any of these technical obstacles are insurmountable, though.

The New Yorker

I don't think the logistical challenges Mr. Horsch raises are insurmountable.

The New York Times

There are issues of intellectual property and commercial confidentiality but I don't think they are insurmountable".

The Guardian

Perhaps these obstacles are insurmountable, and Uchitelle is wrong about the future of manufacturing.

The New Yorker

"All the problems of pan-geography legislation are insurmountable in the short to medium term.

The Guardian - Sport

"The water limits are insurmountable, unless the Scotts Company develops a genetically modified grass that requires almost no water.

The New York Times

But, as far as I can make out, none of the individual problems that have been uncovered are insurmountable.

The New Yorker

It is enough to say that tokamak fusion power has what I believe are insurmountable barriers to practicability and acceptability.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Nothing is insurmountable.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "are insurmountable" to describe challenges or obstacles that appear impossible to overcome. It adds a sense of gravity and finality to the situation.

Common error

Avoid using "are insurmountable" when simpler phrases like "are difficult" or "are challenging" would suffice. Reserving it for truly exceptional situations maintains its impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are insurmountable" functions as a predicative adjective phrase. It modifies a noun, indicating that the attributes or challenges associated with that noun are impossible to overcome. As Ludwig AI suggests, this phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "are insurmountable" is used to describe challenges or obstacles that are essentially impossible to overcome. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. It appears most frequently in news and media, but is also present in scientific and formal writing. Alternatives like "cannot be overcome" offer similar meanings. When using this phrase, ensure it accurately reflects the severity of the situation and isn't used in contexts where simpler phrasing would suffice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cannot be overcome

Replaces the single adjective with a passive verb construction for a more descriptive feel.

impossible to overcome

Substitutes "insurmountable" with "impossible", emphasizing the lack of possibility.

cannot be surmounted

Uses "surmounted", a synonym for "overcome", maintaining a similar level of formality.

are unachievable

Emphasizes the lack of possibility for achieving a specific goal due to obstacles.

present an impossible barrier

Highlights the barrier aspect of the challenge.

beyond resolution

Focuses on the lack of a solution rather than the inability to overcome.

cannot be dealt with effectively

Focuses on the ineffectiveness of possible solutions.

are beyond one's capabilities

Shifts the focus to the limitations of the person or entity facing the challenge.

prove too difficult

A more casual way to express the inability to overcome a challenge.

are a dead end

Highlights the lack of progress or a solution.

FAQs

How can I use "are insurmountable" in a sentence?

The phrase "are insurmountable" is typically used to describe obstacles or challenges that seem impossible to overcome. For example, "The logistical problems "are insurmountable" without additional funding."

What are some alternatives to "are insurmountable"?

Alternatives include "cannot be overcome", "impossible to overcome", or "beyond resolution" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it more appropriate to use "are insurmountable" or "is insurmountable"?

"Are insurmountable" is used when referring to plural nouns or collective nouns treated as plural, while "is insurmountable" is used with singular nouns. For instance, "The challenges are insurmountable", but "The obstacle is insurmountable".

What is the difference between saying something is "insurmountable" versus "difficult"?

Saying something is "insurmountable" suggests that it is impossible to overcome, while saying something is "difficult" simply means that it requires effort and skill to overcome. "Insurmountable" implies a higher degree of impossibility than "difficult".