impossible to assemble

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "impossible to assemble" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing an object or item that cannot be put together or constructed, often due to a lack of necessary parts or instructions. Example: "The furniture arrived with missing pieces, making it impossible to assemble."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

It's almost impossible to assemble".

Independent

They enjoy pluralities, but find it impossible to assemble governing majorities.

The Guardian

It's impossible to assemble a two-thirds vote from the full Senate without at least two Democrats.

The New York Times

The T.S.A. says the limits on liquids and gels are based on chemistry, because such small volumes make it virtually impossible to assemble explosives on a plane.

The New York Times

It was also shrewd buying, for these days it would be impossible to assemble a collection of similar quality and strength.

The New York Times

"There is no museum or private collection which can match these holdings and it would be impossible to assemble such a collection today," Mr. Littman wrote by e-mail.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

38 human-written examples

Imagine: You go and hang out and play a few in-person multiplayer games that are impossible to usually assemble a full complement for— Gang Beasts, Starwhal, Marvel vs. Capcom (never forget), TowerFall, and so on.

Vice

Imagine: you go and hang out and play a few in-person multiplayer games that are impossible to usually assemble a full complement for – Gang Beasts, Starwhal, Marvel vs Capcom (never forget), TowerFall, and so on.

Vice

Additionally, due to the repetitive nature of resistance plasmids, it is often impossible to fully assemble them from short-read sequencing data, and it can be difficult to confirm the contiguity of the structure around variable regions such as the Tn 4401 transposon.

Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy

They contend the centers are proliferating because most heavily populated areas are already saturated with large malls, there are fewer department stores to fill them and it is virtually impossible for developers to assemble the huge tracts of land needed to build new malls.

The New York Times

Free speech has burst its chains in Egypt, but for the last 30 years it has been virtually impossible for peaceful protesters to assemble on the streets of Cairo, Alexandria, Port Said, Suez or anywhere else without attracting the attention of truncheon-wielding police officers.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the audience when using this phrase. In technical writing, provide specific reasons for assembly difficulties. In creative writing, use the phrase to create a sense of frustration or insurmountable challenge.

Common error

Avoid using "impossible to assemble" when the task is merely difficult or time-consuming. Reserve the phrase for situations where assembly is genuinely infeasible due to missing components, contradictory instructions, or fundamental design issues.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "impossible to assemble" functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun by describing its state or condition as incapable of being put together. As seen in Ludwig's examples, this often refers to physical objects or abstract concepts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Science

40%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "impossible to assemble" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe something that cannot be put together. Ludwig AI confirms its usability across various contexts, from news and media to scientific literature. When using this phrase, ensure the context clearly explains why the assembly is impossible, whether due to missing parts, design flaws, or other insurmountable obstacles. While versatile, avoid overusing it for tasks that are merely difficult. Alternatives such as "unachievable to construct" or "unfeasible to put together" may suit more formal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unachievable to construct

Replaces 'assemble' with 'construct' and 'impossible' with 'unachievable', focusing on the difficulty of building something.

unfeasible to put together

Uses 'unfeasible' instead of 'impossible' and 'put together' for 'assemble', suggesting it's not practical to build.

cannot be constructed

A more direct and passive way of expressing the inability to build something.

beyond assembly

Emphasizes that the possibility of assembly is exceeded, implying inherent flaws.

not able to be assembled

A more literal and slightly less emphatic way of stating the inability to assemble.

out of the question to build

Highlights the unsuitability of assembling, suggesting a strong rejection of the idea.

cannot be put together

A simpler alternative that uses the phrasal verb 'put together' instead of 'assemble'.

inconceivable to piece together

Uses 'inconceivable' for a stronger sense of impossibility and 'piece together' as an alternative to 'assemble'.

irreparably unassembled

Focuses on the permanent state of being unassembled, implying a lasting condition.

permanently unassembled

Emphasizes the lasting nature of being unassembled, implying no future possibility of assembly.

FAQs

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

You can use "impossible to assemble" to describe something that cannot be put together. For example, "The instructions were so unclear that the bookshelf was "impossible to assemble"".

What is a more formal alternative to "impossible to assemble"?

A more formal alternative would be "unachievable to construct" or "unfeasible to put together". These alternatives maintain a professional tone while conveying the same meaning.

Is it correct to say "nearly impossible to assemble"?

Yes, "nearly impossible to assemble" is a correct and commonly used variation. It indicates that assembly is extremely difficult but not entirely out of the question.

What's the difference between "difficult to assemble" and "impossible to assemble"?

"Difficult to assemble" means the task requires significant effort and skill, while ""impossible to assemble"" indicates that the task cannot be completed under any circumstances due to missing parts, flawed design, or other insurmountable obstacles.