impossibility

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'impossibility' is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to describe something that is beyond possibility or capability. For example: "The task seemed to be an impossibility for the team, but they eventually succeeded."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Lifestyle

Opinion

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

The notices so many of us received yesterday and the blanket notice that all name-based searches in the EU are now subject to censorship make it look more like a mischievous attempt to point up the impossibility of policing content on the internet within physical territories, enraging publishers and encouraging them to write about it.

The Guardian - Tech

What struck me, on listening to the edit (much more was said in the studio than was broadcast), was the impossibility of relaying the complexity of the Sun's story in 40 minutes.

The Guardian

In a echo of the impossibility this week of tracking down the winners of the prizes for physics and literature, Peter Higgs and Alice Monro, the Nobel committee tweeted that it had been unable to immediately speak to the OPCW to formally let it know of the win.

The Guardian

But an agreement, he said, would have to be enforceable – otherwise it was not beyond the realm of impossibility that the government would be forced to seek approval of the accord by resorting to a referendum.

The Guardian

The White House has said Obama will veto Corker's bill if it passes – a veto could be overridden with a two-thirds majority vote, not an impossibility given the strong sentiments in Congress.

The Guardian

But perhaps the most thrilling thing about crispy duck was the impossibility of ever making it yourself.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Monopolies form but are undermined by the impossibility of enforcing property rights.

The Guardian - Opinion

While accepting there was no evidence Obeid had ever tried to flee, Davies acknowledged the prosecution's worries about the "virtual impossibility" of extraditing people from Lebanon.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

The near-impossibility of his re-election may have given him the courage to make unpopular moves.

The Economist

In the big cities where the growing wealth is most concentrated, any pleasure in car ownership is counterbalanced by the increasing awfulness of the roads, the choking fumes and the near-impossibility of parking.

The Economist

Richard Webb, a former central-bank governor, warns of the "near-impossibility of avoiding financial excesses".

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "impossibility" to emphasize the absolute lack of feasibility or potential for something to occur. It conveys a stronger sense of finality than simply saying something is difficult.

Common error

Avoid using "impossibility" when "difficulty" is more appropriate. "Impossibility" suggests a complete barrier, while "difficulty" implies challenges that can potentially be overcome.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "impossibility" is as a noun. It typically acts as the subject or object of a sentence, denoting the state or quality of being impossible. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's used to describe something beyond capability, like "the "impossibility" of planning anything at all."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Opinion

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

8%

Encyclopedias

6%

Wiki

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "impossibility" functions as a noun to denote something that simply cannot occur. Ludwig AI confirms that it describes situations beyond capability. With its neutral to formal register and very common usage, it's essential to use "impossibility" when you want to convey a sense of absolute infeasibility, distinguishing it from mere difficulty. Given its frequent appearance in sources like The Economist and The Guardian, it remains a powerful word for describing what is beyond the realm of possibility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

inability to happen

This emphasizes that it is not possible for the event to occur, regardless of effort.

lack of possibility

Focuses on the absence of any chance or potential for something to occur or succeed.

unattainability

Focuses on the state of being impossible to reach or achieve, suggesting a goal that's beyond reach.

out of the question

Indicates something is completely unacceptable or not worth considering, often implying a firm refusal.

unfeasibility

Highlights the impracticality of something, suggesting it cannot be done due to logistical or technical reasons.

beyond the realm of possibility

Emphasizes that something is outside the boundaries of what is conceivable or achievable.

impracticability

Stresses the lack of practicality, suggesting something is not suitable for real-world conditions or use.

hopelessness

Emphasizes the lack of hope or optimism in achieving something, often implying a negative emotional state.

certain failure

Highlights the inevitability of failure, removing any doubt about the outcome.

inconceivability

Indicates something is unimaginable or unthinkable, stressing a mental barrier to acceptance or belief.

FAQs

How do you use "impossibility" in a sentence?

You can use "impossibility" to describe a task, situation, or event that cannot occur. For instance, "Meeting that deadline is a virtual "impossibility"".

What are some synonyms for "impossibility"?

Alternatives to "impossibility" include "unattainability", "unfeasibility", or "impracticability", depending on the nuance you wish to convey.

Is it better to say "impossibility" or "not possible"?

"Impossibility" is a noun, while "not possible" is an adjective phrase. Using "impossibility" can sometimes make your writing more concise and emphatic. For example, saying "the "impossibility" of the task" is stronger than "the task is not possible".

How does "impossibility" differ from "inconvenience"?

"Impossibility" refers to something that cannot be done, while "inconvenience" refers to something that causes trouble or difficulty, but is still manageable. They are on different scales of severity; something that is impossible cannot be done, but something that is an inconvenience can be overcome with effort.