he is impossible

USAGE SUMMARY

"he is impossible" is a correct and usable sentence in written English.
It can be used to describe someone who is difficult or challenging to deal with, or someone who is not capable of doing something. Example: "John's stubbornness has made it impossible to have a productive conversation with him. He always thinks he's right."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

29 human-written examples

In working together you will find phrases like: "he is impossible to work with".

Critical Care

He is impossible to dislike.

The New York Times - Sports

"I think he is impossible to buy.

Independent

His life is implausible; he is impossible.

The New Yorker

But he is impossible to predict.

The Guardian - Books

For one thing, he is impossible to categorize.

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

31 human-written examples

He's impossible to price up.

Independent

He's impossible to avoid.

The New York Times - Books

He's impossible, he's hopeless.

The New Yorker

He's impossible, isn't he?

The New York Times

"He was impossible to direct," Leigh laughs.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "he is impossible" to describe situations or individuals that present insurmountable challenges or extreme difficulty.

Common error

Avoid using "he is impossible" for trivial difficulties. Reserve this phrase for scenarios where genuine, significant obstacles exist.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he is impossible" functions as an adjectival phrase used to describe a male individual, highlighting the extreme difficulty or inability to deal with him. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a usable sentence. The examples from Ludwig show its use in describing personalities and situations.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "he is impossible" is a grammatically correct adjectival phrase used to describe a male individual who presents extreme difficulty or challenges. As Ludwig AI states, it is a correct and usable sentence. While relatively rare in occurrence, according to Ludwig examples, its primary function is to convey frustration or exasperation. It's often used in news and media contexts, as well as in scientific discourse. When using the phrase, remember to reserve it for situations where genuine and significant obstacles exist, avoiding overuse in milder contexts. Consider alternatives such as "he is unmanageable" or "he defies understanding" for nuanced expressions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he is unmanageable

Replaces 'impossible' with 'unmanageable', focusing on difficulty in controlling or handling the person.

he is unfeasible

Substitutes 'impossible' with 'unfeasible', highlighting the impracticality of dealing with the individual.

he is intractable

Replaces 'impossible' with 'intractable', emphasizing the stubborn and unyielding nature of the person.

he is beyond reason

Indicates the person's actions or thoughts are not governed by logic.

he defies understanding

Focuses on the difficulty in comprehending the person's behavior or motives.

he is simply too difficult

Rephrases the statement to emphasize the level of difficulty encountered.

it's hopeless to deal with him

Shifts the focus to the futility of attempting to interact with the person.

he can't be reasoned with

Highlights the lack of logic or rationality in the person's approach.

he is not amenable to change

Emphasizes the person's resistance to adapting or modifying their behavior.

he is a lost cause

Expresses the idea that efforts to improve or change the person are futile.

FAQs

What does it mean when someone says "he is impossible"?

It means that the person being described is extremely difficult to deal with, change, or understand. It suggests there are significant obstacles to overcome when interacting with them.

What can I say instead of "he is impossible"?

You can use alternatives like "he is unmanageable", "he is unfeasible", or "he is intractable" depending on the specific context.

Is it ever appropriate to use "he is impossible" in a formal setting?

While generally acceptable, consider the audience and setting. In some formal contexts, using a more nuanced phrase like "he defies understanding" might be more suitable.

What's the difference between "he is impossible" and "he is difficult"?

"He is impossible" suggests a situation or person presents insurmountable challenges, whereas "he is difficult" implies challenges can be overcome with effort.