factually impossible

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "factually impossible" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or statement that cannot be true based on factual evidence or reality. Example: "The claim that the Earth is flat is factually impossible given the overwhelming scientific evidence supporting its spherical shape."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

This is factually impossible.

The Guardian - Opinion

It was, her attorneys argued, a "factually impossible" order to follow.

The Guardian

In other words, even something that is factually impossible can be logically possible, and how closely that logic is followed will affect how plausible a supernatural being seems.

The New Yorker

By 2004, regulators imposed tougher rules under which records could be wiped clean only if an arbitration panel found that an investor's allegations had been factually impossible or false, or that the accused broker had not been individually involved in the matter.

The New York Times

What's important is George Zimmerman's statements, which are inconsistent and factually impossible".

Huffington Post

However, while it could be the case that someone interacted with a real person such as George Bush or the participant's mother, it would be factually impossible that s/he interacted with a fictional character such as Cinderella.

Plosone

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

Even when he is proven to be factually wrong, patently offensive, or just plain cray-cray, Trump understands that it is impossible to apologize without sounding weak and prevaricating.

Huffington Post

While it is impossible to say for certain since I've not seen its documentation so far, the NYT story has, factually, stood up pretty well.

Huffington Post

It's factually wrong".

The Guardian

That is factually false.

The Guardian - Opinion

"Qimonda is factually liquidated.

The New York Times - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "factually impossible" to clearly and directly refute a claim or idea that contradicts established facts. It provides a strong and unambiguous way to dismiss misinformation or falsehoods.

Common error

Avoid using "factually impossible" when dealing with opinions or beliefs, as these are not subject to factual verification. Reserve this phrase for statements that can be objectively proven false.

Linguistic Context

Factually impossible functions as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun to indicate that something cannot be true based on established facts. Ludwig's examples show it being used to refute claims and describe situations that contradict reality.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

43%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "factually impossible" is a grammatically correct adjective phrase used to strongly refute claims that contradict established facts. According to Ludwig, this expression appears more frequently in news, media, and scientific contexts, making it suitable for professional and informative discourse. When using this phrase, ensure it aligns with objective truths rather than subjective opinions. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is usable and appropriate in written English, though synonyms like "demonstrably false" or "categorically untrue" can provide nuanced alternatives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

demonstrably false

Highlights that the impossibility stems from being provably incorrect.

objectively false

Focuses on the impossibility arising from objective reality and not subjective opinions.

contrary to the evidence

Indicates the impossibility of a statement because it goes against available proof.

categorically untrue

Emphasizes the falsity of a statement, making it impossible in terms of truth.

in direct contradiction to reality

Highlights the impossibility arising from a clash with the way things actually are.

empirically invalid

Highlights the impossibility through the phrase not being supported by observation or experiment.

absolutely not the case

Indicates a complete negation of a situation or statement, making it impossible for it to be true.

unsupported by evidence

Focuses on the lack of factual support, implying impossibility due to the absence of substantiation.

simply not true

Emphasizes the impossibility of something being true due to its fundamental falseness.

patently absurd

Emphasizes the ridiculousness and impossibility of something based on its obvious lack of sense.

FAQs

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

You can use "factually impossible" to describe claims or statements that are untrue based on evidence, such as: "The idea that vaccines cause autism is "factually impossible" given the numerous scientific studies disproving it."

What are some alternatives to "factually impossible"?

Some alternatives to "factually impossible" include "categorically untrue", "demonstrably false", or "objectively false", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it better to say "factually impossible" or "impossible"?

"Factually impossible" emphasizes that the impossibility stems from a conflict with established facts, whereas "impossible" is a broader term. Use "factually impossible" when you want to specifically highlight the factual basis of the impossibility.

What's the difference between "factually impossible" and "factually incorrect"?

"Factually incorrect" simply means that something is wrong, while "factually impossible" suggests a higher degree of certainty and contradiction with reality. The claim is not only wrong, but it cannot be true based on current facts.