became impossible to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "became impossible to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing a situation or action that has reached a point where it can no longer be accomplished or achieved. Example: "After the new regulations were implemented, it became impossible to continue the project as planned."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

It became impossible to follow everything.

The New York Times - Arts

He became impossible to live with.

The New Yorker

It became impossible to take them seriously.

The New York Times

The online drumbeat became impossible to ignore.

The New York Times - Health

It became impossible to manage.

The Guardian - Sport

It became impossible to refinance FirstPlus's lending.

The Economist

It just became impossible to deal with.

The New York Times - Magazine

In the end, though, the rifts became impossible to repair.

The New York Times - Magazine

It was a distinction that became impossible to police.

The Guardian

It became impossible to recognize friends and family members' faces.

The Washington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

It became impossible to discuss the scandal without mentioning Huffington in the next breath.

The Guardian - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "became impossible to", ensure the context clearly indicates what specific factors led to the impossibility. For example, instead of saying "It became impossible to continue", specify "It became impossible to continue the project due to funding cuts".

Common error

Avoid embedding "became impossible to" within overly complex sentences, as this can obscure the meaning. Instead, break down long sentences for clarity. For example, rephrase "The intricate web of regulations that had been initially manageable eventually became impossible to navigate, hindering progress on the initiative" to "The regulations were initially manageable. However, they became impossible to navigate, hindering progress on the initiative."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "became impossible to" functions as a verbal phrase expressing a transition to a state of infeasibility. Ludwig's examples demonstrate its use in describing situations where actions or goals, once achievable, are no longer attainable due to changing circumstances.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "became impossible to" is a versatile verbal phrase used to describe a shift to a state of infeasibility. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used. It effectively communicates that a situation has changed, rendering a previously viable action or outcome unattainable. This phrase commonly appears in News & Media, Academia, and Science. When using "became impossible to", be sure to clearly indicate the factors that led to the shift, and avoid embedding it within overly complex sentences for optimal clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

turned out to be unachievable

Focuses on the result of a process being unattainable, emphasizing the outcome.

proved to be infeasible

Highlights the impracticality of something after evaluation or trial.

ended up being unworkable

Emphasizes that a situation or plan deteriorated to a point where it could no longer function.

evolved into an insurmountable obstacle

Suggests a gradual increase in difficulty, culminating in an unresolvable problem.

resulted in being unattainable

Highlights the outcome of a process failing to meet its objective.

became unrealistic to

Indicates that a goal or expectation is no longer grounded in reality.

transformed into an impossibility

Emphasizes the complete lack of feasibility after a change or event.

became out of the question to

Suggests that an option or possibility is no longer under consideration due to changed circumstances.

was rendered undoable

Highlights a situation made impossible to perform or deal with.

morphed into a lost cause

Focuses on the futility of continued effort, suggesting abandonment is the only option.

FAQs

How can I use "became impossible to" in a sentence?

The phrase "became impossible to" is used to describe a situation or task that has reached a point where it can no longer be achieved or done. For instance: "After the funding was cut, it "became impossible to" continue the research".

What are some alternatives to "became impossible to"?

Alternatives include phrases such as "turned out to be unachievable", "proved to be infeasible", or "ended up being unworkable". The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey about why something couldn't be done.

Is there a difference between "became impossible to" and "was impossible to"?

"Became impossible to" implies a change over time, where something was once possible but later ceased to be. "Was impossible to" suggests that something was never possible from the start. For example: "Negotiations were difficult but productive, until it "became impossible to" reach a compromise." versus "Reaching the summit without oxygen "was impossible to"".

Which is more appropriate: "became impossible to" or "became difficult to"?

The choice depends on the degree of challenge. If a task is still manageable but requires more effort, "became difficult to" is suitable. If a task is no longer achievable, ""became impossible to"" is more accurate.