found it impossible to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "found it impossible to" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing a difficulty or inability to accomplish a task or action. Example: "Despite my best efforts, I found it impossible to meet the deadline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Books

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The New York Times likewise found it impossible to hide its contempt.

The Guardian

I found it impossible to believe.

The New York Times - Magazine

I found it impossible to watch.

The New York Times - Magazine

Yet I found it impossible to answer.

The New Yorker

He found it impossible to love.

The Guardian

But they have found it impossible to contain militants.

The New York Times

As it was, I found it impossible to ignore.

The New York Times - Arts

He found it impossible to write as an NRI.

The Guardian - Books

Judges found it impossible to separate the winning entries.

The Guardian

Though exhausted, she found it impossible to sleep.

The New York Times

"I found it impossible to hate the English," he said.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Vary your phrasing by using synonyms such as "was unable to" or "could not manage to" to avoid repetition and enhance the clarity of your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "found it impossible to" when a simpler expression like "could not" or "didn't" would suffice. Overusing this phrase can make your writing sound unnecessarily dramatic or complex.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "found it impossible to" functions as a verb phrase expressing inability or extreme difficulty. It typically introduces an infinitive verb, indicating the action that could not be performed. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Books

15%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "found it impossible to" is a versatile and commonly used expression to indicate a strong sense of inability, often highlighting the difficulty or insurmountable nature of a task. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and suitable for various contexts, particularly in news, books, and encyclopedic writing. While it can be used in everyday conversation, it is also appropriate for more formal writing and professional contexts. When using the phrase, consider the level of emphasis you wish to convey and ensure it aligns with the tone of your writing. Remember to use simpler expressions in scenarios where emphasis isn't required, and explore related phrases to vary your writing and provide additional clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was unable to

This is a direct and formal way of stating an inability.

was not able to

A more verbose form of stating inability.

could not manage to

This alternative suggests a lack of success in an attempt.

was incapable of

This indicates a lack of inherent ability to perform the action.

proved unable to

Highlights the result of an attempt that led to inability.

failed to

This implies a lack of success in achieving a specific goal.

lacked the ability to

This implies a deficiency in the necessary skills or resources.

had no capacity to

Suggests a fundamental limitation in ability or resources.

couldn't bring oneself to

This suggests a psychological barrier preventing the action.

was out of the question

This means that something was not an option or possibility.

FAQs

What does "found it impossible to" mean?

The phrase "found it impossible to" expresses a strong sense of inability to do something, often because of difficult circumstances or personal limitations. It suggests that despite effort, achieving the task was not feasible.

What can I say instead of "found it impossible to"?

You can use alternatives like "was unable to", "could not manage to", or "failed to" depending on the specific context and desired level of formality.

Is "found it impossible to" formal or informal?

The phrase "found it impossible to" is generally considered neutral to slightly formal. While it can be used in everyday conversation, it is also appropriate for more formal writing and professional contexts.

How can I use "found it impossible to" in a sentence?

You can use "found it impossible to" to describe a situation where someone faced a significant barrier to accomplishing something. For example, "Despite my best efforts, I "found it impossible to" meet the deadline".