impossible circumstances

USAGE SUMMARY

'impossible circumstances' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to situations that are not likely to be achieved or that cannot be done. For example, "The project was difficult to complete even in ideal circumstances, but in the face of these impossible circumstances, it seemed impossible."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

32 human-written examples

But it is impossible: circumstances have changed too much.

The Guardian - Books

There are moments of humor sprinkled throughout, as speakers try to cope with impossible circumstances.

The New York Times

Bed itself worked beautifully in the mystical way of such things in impossible circumstances.

The New Yorker

Only they weren't birds, they were people, forced out by the flames, forced to make an impossible choice under impossible circumstances.

The New York Times

Clearly, however, Greeley was decidedly bearish on the Union's prospects after Bull Run, and believed that perhaps neither man could master the impossible circumstances.

The New York Times

I find myself torn between admiration and bewilderment as I think about those staunch enough to undertake the task of judging their peers under impossible circumstances.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

28 human-written examples

The general is a practical man (those tunnels are his idea) in an impossible circumstance, and Mr. Watanabe's performance is all the more heartbreaking for his crisp, unsentimental dignity.

The New York Times

He is the man who is blamed for canceling the World Series in 1994, even though it was the players who were on strike, and just last month he was seen as the man who ended the All-Star Game in a tie, even though it was the managers who created the impossible circumstance by using all the available pitchers.

The New York Times - Sports

In the liner notes to the 20th anniversary reissue of The Joshua Tree, writer Bill Flanagan stated, "'Running to Stand Still' is for anyone who feels trapped in an impossible circumstance by overwhelming responsibility".

Wikipedia

He was a guy who was trying to do the right thing in a politically impossible circumstance: working for an administration that thinks that the best way to prevent HIV is to cross your legs.

Vice

In a world where women already shoulder a disproportionate burden of proof, most egregiously as it relates to sexual assault and rape, Iranian women are forced to reckon with an almost impossible circumstance.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "impossible circumstances", ensure the context clearly demonstrates why the situation is deemed unachievable or extremely difficult. Providing specific details strengthens the impact of the statement.

Common error

Avoid overusing "impossible circumstances" for situations that are merely difficult or challenging. Reserve it for scenarios where success is genuinely unattainable, as overuse can dilute its impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "impossible circumstances" functions as a noun phrase, where "impossible" modifies the noun "circumstances". It describes a situation or set of conditions that are deemed unachievable or extremely difficult to overcome. According to Ludwig, the phrase is considered correct and widely usable.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

82%

Science

9%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "impossible circumstances" is a commonly used phrase to describe situations deemed unachievable or extremely difficult. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usability. The phrase appears frequently in news and media, with a neutral register suitable for various contexts. To enhance clarity and impact, always provide specific details of the circumstances when employing this phrase, avoiding overuse in situations that are merely challenging. Remember that alternatives such as ""untenable situation"" or ""hopeless predicament"" can add nuance to your writing. It's important to avoid exaggeration in your writing, especially when talking about "impossible" cases.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

untenable situation

Replaces "circumstances" with "situation" and uses "untenable" to convey the impossibility.

hopeless predicament

Uses "predicament" instead of "circumstances", suggesting a difficult or dangerous situation with little hope of resolution.

insurmountable odds

Focuses on the challenges being too great to overcome, rather than the situation itself.

insurmountable difficulties

Replaces "circumstances" with "difficulties" focusing on the unachievable aspect of the situation.

unmanageable conditions

Uses "conditions" to refer to the surrounding factors and "unmanageable" to highlight the impossibility of controlling them.

unachievable scenario

Replaces "circumstances" with "scenario" implying a sequence of events that is impossible to realize.

mission impossible

This is a more colloquial and dramatic way of phrasing "impossible circumstances", often used humorously.

extremely challenging situation

Lessens the degree of impossibility, focusing instead on the extreme difficulty of the situation.

extraordinary difficulties

Replaces "impossible" with "extraordinary" but keeps "difficulties", thus lessening the degree of impossibility.

near-impossible situation

Weakens the claim of impossibility by adding "near", suggesting it is very difficult but potentially achievable.

FAQs

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

You can use "impossible circumstances" to describe situations where success seems unattainable. For example, "Despite the "impossible circumstances", the team managed to complete the project".

What are some alternatives to using "impossible circumstances"?

Alternatives include "untenable situation", "hopeless predicament", or "insurmountable odds" depending on the specific context you want to convey.

Is it redundant to say "almost impossible circumstances"?

While not strictly redundant, using "almost impossible circumstances" can weaken your statement. If you want to convey near impossibility, consider alternatives like "extremely challenging situation".

What's the difference between "impossible circumstances" and "difficult circumstances"?

"Impossible circumstances" suggests success is unattainable, while "difficult circumstances" implies success is possible but requires significant effort. The former is a stronger claim of infeasibility than the latter.