impasse

USAGE SUMMARY

'impasse' is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it when you are referring to a situation or argument that has reached a point where no progress can be made. Example sentence: After hours of debate, we found ourselves at an impasse and could not move forward with our decision.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Amid a coalition impasse, Downing Street said that the prime minister would make the case to stand by the intelligence agencies.

The Guardian

The impasse has grown into a crisis as the enrichment programme has expanded over the past few years.

The Guardian

One way out of the impasse, according to one European diplomat who has been closely monitoring the issue, would be if both sides could be persuaded to engage in "technical talks" after the ruling – as opposed to "negotiations" – to discuss a "special status" for Mitrovica North and its surrounding Serb enclave.

The Guardian

Both parties are blaming each other for the impasse.

The Guardian

The focus of Hague's trip, in which he is expected to meet politicians from both sides, is to support Kerry's mission to bring the two sides back to negotiations after an impasse of almost four years.

The Guardian

The Obama administration, which supports the USA Freedom Act, also sent word to Capitol Hill via the Justice Department that it had barely 24 hours to resolve the impasse before it began mothballing its controversial domestic bulk phone data collection.

The Guardian

House Democrats warned that the impasse in the Senate could threaten national security as well as the opportunity to strengthen protections for civil liberties.

The Guardian

He blamed the Palestinians for the current impasse over the US-sponsored peace talks.

The Guardian

The opposition leader planned to put pressure on the government to end the impasse on the renewable energy target, saying that the "transition to a low pollution economy [will make] our industries more competitive, harnessing our natural resources and protecting our national estate".

The Guardian

Until Wednesday, it was unclear when tickets for the fight would be made available due to an impasse between the two camps and the MGM Grand over allotments.

The Guardian - Sport

The Senate thus looked poised to return to business as usual on Thursday, with a packed two-day schedule that included advancing trade legislation, a highway funding bill and resolving the Patriot Act impasse.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about political or diplomatic situations, "impasse" adds a sense of gravity and seriousness to the issue.

Common error

Don't use "impasse" when a situation is merely delayed or temporarily paused. "Impasse" implies a more profound and seemingly unresolvable blockage. Simple use "delay" or "pause" when that's the true situation.

Linguistic Context

The word "impasse" functions primarily as a noun. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage, and the provided examples demonstrate its role in describing a state of deadlock or stalemate in various situations. It usually serves as the subject or object of a sentence.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Formal & Business

12%

Science

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

1%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "impasse" is a noun used to describe a situation where progress is impossible due to a deadlock or stalemate. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and commonly used in formal contexts, particularly in news and media reporting. When writing, be mindful of its strong connotation of blockage and avoid using it for simple delays. Alternatives like "deadlock" or "stalemate" can be used to convey similar meanings. By understanding its proper usage, you can effectively communicate the severity of a stalled situation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

deadlock

Focuses on the lack of movement or resolution in a situation.

stalemate

Implies a situation where neither side can gain an advantage.

dead end

Suggests a path or strategy that leads to nowhere.

standstill

Highlights the cessation of activity or progress.

bottleneck

Emphasizes a point of congestion hindering progress.

gridlock

Specifically refers to a situation of complete blockage, often in traffic or negotiations.

catch-22

Indicates a paradoxical situation from which escape is impossible.

cul-de-sac

Similar to 'dead end', referring to a situation with no way out.

logjam

Emphasizes accumulation and blockage, especially in legislative processes.

Mexican standoff

A confrontation where all parties are equally threatened and unable to proceed.

FAQs

How to use "impasse" in a sentence?

You can use "impasse" to describe a situation where progress is impossible. For example: "Negotiations reached an impasse after several days of unproductive talks."

What can I say instead of "impasse"?

You can use alternatives like "deadlock", "stalemate", or "dead end" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "impasse" or "impass"?

"Impasse" is the correct term to describe a situation with no progress possible. "Impass" is not a standard English word.

What's the difference between "impasse" and "dilemma"?

An "impasse" is a situation where progress is blocked, while a dilemma involves a difficult choice between two or more options. An impasse focuses on lack of movement, and a dilemma focuses on difficult choice.