impossibility of progress

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "impossibility of progress" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where advancement or improvement cannot be achieved due to various constraints or obstacles. Example: "The ongoing conflict has led to an impossibility of progress in the peace negotiations."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

"Science and the idea of progress may seem joined together, but the end result of progress in science is to show the impossibility of progress in civilization," he writes.

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

More evidence of progress.

The New York Times - Sports

Signs of progress abound.

The Economist

The price of progress?

The New York Times

Any kind of progress.

Los Angeles Times

The rate of progress  .

Unicef

It seems the impossibility of a deal with Labour became increasingly apparent as the day progressed.

The Guardian

An impossibility, of course.

Independent

Call it the impossibility of hope.

The New York Times

Rent and the impossibility of paying it.

The Guardian - Opinion

"Doctor Who" is a chronicle of the impossibility of rescue.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing societal or technological advancements, use "impossibility of progress" to highlight fundamental limitations or paradoxical outcomes that hinder improvement, such as unintended consequences that counteract positive change.

Common error

Avoid using "impossibility of progress" when describing temporary setbacks or challenges. This phrase is best reserved for situations where the barriers to advancement are fundamental and seemingly insurmountable, not merely difficult.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "impossibility of progress" functions as a noun phrase, often serving as the subject or object of a sentence. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability in written English. It describes a situation where advancement or improvement is deemed unattainable due to inherent limitations.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "impossibility of progress" is a grammatically sound noun phrase that expresses a fundamental limitation or barrier to advancement. While Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage, it's relatively rare and leans toward a neutral to formal register. It is most frequently found in News & Media, Science and Formal & Business contexts. Alternative phrases like "lack of advancement" or "absence of headway" may be more common in everyday language. Using this phrase appropriately involves recognizing genuine, insurmountable obstacles rather than temporary setbacks.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lack of advancement

Focuses on the absence of forward movement or development.

absence of headway

Emphasizes the lack of forward movement, particularly in a challenging situation.

stagnation

Highlights a state of inactivity or lack of development.

no forward momentum

Indicates a cessation of progress or drive.

deadlock in development

Refers to a standstill or impasse in the process of growth or improvement.

cessation of growth

Emphasizes the end of a period of growth or development.

failure to advance

Highlights the lack of success in making progress.

unattainability of improvement

Focuses on the impossibility of achieving a better state.

developmental standstill

Indicates a complete halt in developmental processes.

arrested development

Highlights a state where development has been halted or significantly delayed.

FAQs

How can I use "impossibility of progress" in a sentence?

You can use "impossibility of progress" to describe situations where advancement is fundamentally blocked. For example, "The scientist argued that the second law of thermodynamics implies an "impossibility of progress" toward a perpetual motion machine".

What's a more common way to say "impossibility of progress"?

While "impossibility of progress" is grammatically correct, phrases like "lack of advancement" or "absence of headway" might be more frequently used in general conversation.

Is "impossibility of progress" an optimistic or pessimistic phrase?

"Impossibility of progress" is generally a pessimistic phrase, as it suggests that improvement or advancement is not feasible in a particular context.

Can "impossibility of progress" be used in a positive context?

Rarely. It might be used ironically or in a philosophical discussion to question the nature of progress itself, but generally, it carries a negative connotation. You can use it to question some kind of "unattainability of improvement".