humanly impossible

USAGE SUMMARY

"humanly impossible" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to express that a task or action cannot be done by human effort, or by any reasonable effort from a human. Example: She thought that conquering her fear of heights was humanly impossible.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

34 human-written examples

"It is humanly impossible".

The New York Times

"But that's becoming humanly impossible.

The New York Times

He told me, 'It's humanly impossible, but I'll be there in spirit,' " she said.

The New York Times

"Normally speaking it is humanly impossible … so that is a satanic thing," says Truqui.

The Guardian

"It may be impossible, humanly impossible for us to come back and win this game," Cook said in the huddle.

The New York Times - Sports

Several pieces display techniques that seem humanly impossible, but only a few have anything approaching an aesthetic pulse.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

26 human-written examples

It is near on impossible to humanly make sense of or decipher big urban data based on existing computing practices.

Journal of Big Data

Video games give the unique freedom to pretend to be something you're not, alongside abilities usually impossible to humanly possess.

TechCrunch

With his joyful hinterland of jazz and motor racing, he is a rare politician who talks humanly, though he is almost impossible to interview on television due to his never-ending sentences.

The Guardian - Opinion

Academi is obviously mindful of some of the past controversies its ancestral companies were embroiled in and has taken steps, as much as humanly possible, to make a repeat of such incidents impossible.

Huffington Post

He tore through the hellbent "Paganini" portrait, with its impossible leaps, at a faster tempo than what would seem humanly possible; it sped by in a roar of furious sound and a frenzy of hand-blurring motion.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "humanly impossible", ensure that the context clearly indicates an action or task that is beyond the physical or mental capabilities of a person. Avoid using it for situations that are merely difficult or improbable.

Common error

Avoid using "humanly impossible" when the situation is simply unlikely or very difficult, not absolutely unattainable. Overusing the phrase diminishes its impact and can make your writing seem hyperbolic. Instead, consider alternatives like "extremely difficult" or "highly improbable".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "humanly impossible" functions as an adjectival modifier, specifically describing a noun (often an action or task) as being beyond human capability. As Ludwig AI specifies, the phrase expresses that a task or action cannot be done by human effort.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "humanly impossible" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed phrase to articulate the infeasibility of a task or action due to human limitations. As Ludwig AI has confirmed, this phrase is acceptable and appropriate in various contexts. Analysis of its usage shows it's most common in "News & Media", "Academia", and scientific publications, maintaining a neutral tone suitable for diverse audiences. When using this phrase, ensure the context clearly reflects genuine impossibility, avoiding exaggeration. Alternatives like "absolutely unachievable" or "beyond human capability" can provide nuanced expressions of the same concept.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Beyond human capability

Directly states the limitation in terms of human capacity.

Unattainable through human effort

Specifies that human effort cannot achieve the desired outcome.

Absolutely unachievable

Focuses on the complete lack of possibility, emphasizing the impossibility aspect more strongly.

Out of the question for people

Focuses on the human element and their inability to perform the task.

Insurmountable by humans

Highlights the inability of humans to overcome the obstacle.

Practically infeasible

Indicates that although theoretically possible, the task is unrealistic.

Unfeasible for mankind

Uses a more formal tone, referencing the entire human race.

Not within the realm of possibility

Emphasizes that the event falls outside of what is possible.

Out of reach for humanity

Suggests that the goal or achievement is too distant or difficult for humans to accomplish.

Simply undoable

Uses a more colloquial term to express the impossibility.

FAQs

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

You can use "humanly impossible" to describe tasks or achievements that exceed human capabilities. For example, "It's "humanly impossible" to be in two places at once."

What does "humanly impossible" mean?

"Humanly impossible" means that something cannot be achieved or done by a human being, given the limitations of human capabilities and resources. It suggests a task that is completely unattainable through human effort.

Which is correct, "humanly impossible" or "impossible"?

Both "humanly impossible" and "impossible" can be correct, but they have slightly different nuances. "Impossible" generally refers to something that cannot happen under any circumstances, while ""humanly impossible"" specifically refers to something beyond human capabilities.

What are some alternatives to "humanly impossible"?

Some alternatives to ""humanly impossible"" include "absolutely unachievable", "beyond human capability", or "unattainable through human effort", depending on the specific context.