impossible task

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "impossible task" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to describe an extremely difficult or seemingly impossible task. For example, "The physics professor assigned the class an impossible task of understanding quantum mechanics in a week."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

An impossible task?

Independent

Is that an impossible task?

The New Yorker

What an impossible task!

The Guardian

"It's an impossible task".

The New York Times

It seems an impossible task.

Independent

It's an almost impossible task.

The Guardian

This seemingly impossible task he performed splendidly.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It was an almost impossible task.

The New York Times - Arts

Set an impossible task, the inquest failed.

The Guardian

It is not an impossible task.

The Economist

It was an impossible task, of course.

The Guardian - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Pair the phrase with intensifiers like "seemingly", "virtually" or "nearly" to add nuance and indicate that while the task felt impossible, it was either attempted or partially achieved

Common error

Avoid using "impossible task" for minor inconveniences or tasks that are simply tedious. Overusing this phrase for everyday challenges can dilute its impact and make your writing appear prone to exaggeration. Reserved it for situations that truly defy standard solutions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "impossible task" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as a direct object or a subject complement. According to Ludwig, it is composed of an attributive adjective and a common noun. It is often preceded by an article or a possessive pronoun, such as "an impossible task" or "their impossible task".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "impossible task" is a highly effective linguistic tool for denoting the absolute limits of capability. Ludwig AI data confirms that it is an established and correct expression, widely utilized across top-tier journalistic and scientific platforms. While it serves as a powerful hyperbole in news to describe political or social stalemates, it also functions literally in scientific literature to describe experimental limitations. When writing, it is best to reserve this phrase for truly insurmountable situations or to use it with qualifiers like "seemingly" to maintain credibility and precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Sisyphean task

Refers to a task that is not only impossible but also repetitive and futile

daunting challenge

Focuses on the psychological intimidation of the work rather than literal impossibility

Herculean effort

Emphasizes the massive amount of strength or work required to succeed

uphill battle

Metaphorical phrasing suggesting constant resistance and struggle

tall order

A more colloquial way to describe a very difficult request

insurmountable obstacle

Focuses on the barrier preventing progress rather than the activity itself

unattainable goal

Refers specifically to the end result being out of reach

fool's errand

Implies the task is impossible because the logic behind it is flawed

mission impossible

Often used as a cultural idiom for high-stakes, extremely difficult assignments

forlorn hope

An older, more literary term for an undertaking that has almost no chance of success

FAQs

How do I use "impossible task" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe a situation where success is unlikely, such as: "Finding a needle in a haystack is often considered an impossible task".

What is a more formal synonym for "impossible task"?

In formal or academic writing, you might prefer a phrase like "<a href="/s/insurmountable+challenge" target="_blank" rel="alternative">insurmountable challenge" or "<a href="/s/infeasible+undertaking" target="_blank" rel="alternative">infeasible undertaking".

What is the difference between an "impossible task" and a "Sisyphean task"?

While an "impossible task" simply cannot be done, a "<a href="/s/Sisyphean+task" target="_blank" rel="alternative">Sisyphean task" specifically implies a task that is endlessly repeated without ever reaching completion.

Is it "a impossible task" or "an impossible task"?

The correct form is "an impossible task" because "impossible" begins with a vowel sound.