impossible to ascertain

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "impossible to ascertain" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing something that cannot be determined or figured out, often in contexts involving uncertainty or lack of information. Example: "Due to the lack of evidence, it is impossible to ascertain the true cause of the incident."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

As neither biographer is big on sourcing, the truth is impossible to ascertain.

The New York Times - Books

Wala said it has been "virtually impossible" to ascertain facts about the administration's targeted killing program.

The Guardian

Similarly, how many have disappeared, taken into the jungle to never return, is impossible to ascertain.

The Guardian

But it was impossible to ascertain tonight just how serious the breach was.

The New York Times

(Exactly where this setup would unfold, however, was nearly impossible to ascertain hours in advance).

The Washington Post

It is never elaborated on, and its reliability is impossible to ascertain.

The New York Times - Magazine

It was impossible to ascertain whether the shelling came from the military or the rebel Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam.

The New York Times

Griffith-Jones concluded that nobody should be prosecuted, as it was impossible to ascertain which guards had inflicted which blows.

The Guardian

But it is practically impossible to ascertain when Flaubert's self-mockery is contrived, and to resist its subversiveness.

The New Yorker

The truth is generally impossible to ascertain because many incidents are not even formally reported, much less investigated.

The New York Times

The scale of the problem is impossible to ascertain precisely in a country where everything has been destroyed.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "impossible to ascertain", ensure that the context clearly indicates why the determination is impossible. Provide specific reasons or limitations if possible for better clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "impossible to ascertain" when the situation merely presents a challenge in finding information. Reserve it for situations where fundamental limitations prevent any possibility of determination.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "impossible to ascertain" functions as an adjectival phrase that modifies a noun or pronoun, indicating that something is incapable of being determined or discovered. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically sound and used to express uncertainty.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Science

41%

Academia

25%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "impossible to ascertain" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that conveys the inability to determine or discover something. According to Ludwig AI, its usage is correct and appropriate in various contexts. Predominantly found in news, scientific, and academic writing, it signals a limitation in knowledge or understanding, often due to a lack of evidence or conflicting data. While alternatives like "cannot be determined" or "cannot be established" exist, "impossible to ascertain" maintains a formal tone suitable for professional and scientific communication. When using this phrase, ensure the impossibility is justified and not simply a matter of difficulty.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cannot be determined

Replaces "impossible to ascertain" with a more direct and neutral expression of indeterminacy.

cannot be established

Similar to "cannot be determined", but emphasizes the inability to prove or confirm something.

cannot be known

Focuses on the lack of knowledge or awareness about something.

remains unknown

Emphasizes the continuing lack of information about something.

impossible to verify

Focuses specifically on the inability to confirm the truth or accuracy of something.

beyond one's ability to determine

Highlights the limits of someone's capacity to figure something out.

defies detection

Suggests that something is actively resisting being found or understood.

eludes understanding

Indicates that something is difficult to grasp or comprehend.

impossible to figure out

An informal way of saying that something cannot be understood.

is not clear

A simpler and more straightforward way of saying that something is uncertain.

FAQs

What does "impossible to ascertain" mean?

The phrase "impossible to ascertain" means that something is impossible to determine, discover, or establish. It suggests a fundamental lack of information or means to find an answer.

How can I use "impossible to ascertain" in a sentence?

You can use "impossible to ascertain" when you want to express that something cannot be known or determined. For example: "Due to conflicting accounts, it was impossible to ascertain the true sequence of events."

What are some alternatives to "impossible to ascertain"?

Alternatives to "impossible to ascertain" include "cannot be determined", "cannot be established", or "cannot be known". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it better to use "impossible to ascertain" or "difficult to ascertain"?

"Impossible to ascertain" indicates a complete inability to determine something, while "difficult to ascertain" /s/difficult+to+ascertain suggests that it is hard but not necessarily impossible. Choose the phrase that best reflects the situation's actual challenges.