being impossible

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "being impossible" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or condition that cannot occur or be achieved. Example: "The task was deemed being impossible due to the lack of resources and time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

You are being impossible, Keller.

The New Yorker

They are modestly challenging without being impossible.

The New York Times - Tech

The guys just thought I was being impossible.

The New York Times - Magazine

"I've learned to not really rule anything as being impossible.

The Guardian

"It's almost written down as being impossible," Scott said.

The New York Times - Sports

The experimental approach being impossible, we used cytoarchitectonic variations in the neocortex.

Brain Research Bulletin

No wonder the Italian has a reputation for being impossible to dislike.

Independent

"I don't want you to look at this as being impossible to tweak," she said.

The New York Times

News Taken to Boston by a Special Courier, Telegraphic Communication Being Impossible.

The New York Times

In Hollywood, Frances quickly becomes nervous, edgy, neurotic, gaining a widespread reputation for being impossible.

The New York Times - Arts

(They have attracted many more complaints for being impossible to remove).

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "being impossible", ensure the context clearly defines what is considered impossible. Specificity enhances clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "being impossible" when the situation merely presents significant challenges rather than absolute impossibility. Accurate language avoids exaggeration.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "being impossible" functions as a gerund phrase, often acting as a noun within a sentence. Examples from Ludwig show it describing tasks, situations, or goals. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically sound.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

35%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "being impossible" is a grammatically correct and frequently used gerund phrase that functions as a noun, expressing the unachievability or unattainability of a task, situation, or goal. According to Ludwig, the phrase is acceptable in written English and is versatile across neutral, formal and informal registers, although it is mostly found in News & Media and Science contexts. It's important to ensure the context clearly defines what is considered impossible to avoid overstating the situation. Remember that Ludwig provides multiple examples of how "being impossible" is used in real-world contexts from reliable sources, which can help guide your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

completely unachievable

Highlights the inability to achieve a desired outcome or goal.

out of the question

Indicates that something is completely unacceptable or not worth considering.

simply not viable

Suggests that something is not a realistic or workable option.

utterly unattainable

Emphasizes the complete lack of possibility in reaching or achieving something.

deemed undoable

Highlights the judgement or assessment that something cannot be done.

totally infeasible

Focuses on the impracticality and unsuitability of a plan or idea.

proven to be unworkable

Focuses on the fact that something has already failed or been shown to be ineffective.

beyond the realm of possibility

Emphasizes that something lies outside what is conceivable or imaginable.

assuredly unrealizable

Highlights the certainty that something cannot be made real or brought into existence.

categorically precluded

Suggests that something is formally or definitively prevented from happening.

FAQs

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

You can use "being impossible" to describe a task, situation, or goal that is unachievable. For example, "The task was deemed "being impossible" due to the lack of resources."

What are some alternatives to "being impossible"?

Alternatives include "utterly unattainable", "completely unachievable", or "totally infeasible", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "is impossible" or "being impossible"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct, but they have slightly different uses. "Is impossible" describes a state, while "being impossible" often functions as part of a larger phrase, describing a process or characteristic. For instance, "Achieving that goal is impossible" versus "The difficulty stems from it "being impossible" to gather sufficient data."

What is the difference between "impossible" and "being impossible"?

"Impossible" is an adjective that describes something that cannot be done, while ""being impossible"" is a gerund phrase. The gerund phrase often functions as a noun, describing the state or act of something being impossible.