impossible to categorize

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "impossible to categorize" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing something that cannot be classified or grouped into a specific category. Example: "The artist's work is so unique that it is often considered impossible to categorize within traditional art movements."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

Her work is eclectic and impossible to categorize.

The New York Times - Arts

For one thing, he is impossible to categorize.

The New York Times - Books

However, her style is so unique and eclectic that it is almost impossible to categorize.

Stanford University

The Times, deciding that the film was impossible to categorize, called it "weird and wonderful, disgusting and demented".

The New Yorker

There are so many ways to locate exploit code that it is nearly impossible to categorize them all.

Google Hacking for Penetration Testers

THE ROOMS Impossible to categorize: 99 rooms in buildings from different eras, with such period details as parquet floors and frescoes in addition to brand-new features.

The New York Times - Travel

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

It's a more or less impossible show to categorize, which seems to be one of the chief aims of the playwright, Louis Broome, who has melded genres like a mad crossbreeder and come up with a three-headed cow, or some such thing.

The New York Times

Toward the middle of "Ruins and Fragments," Harbison gets lost in a rambling but delightful discussion of Laurence Sterne's impossible-to-categorize eighteenth-century novel "The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy, Gentleman".

The New Yorker

Toward the middle of "Ruins and Fragments," Harbison gets lost in a rambling but delightful discussion of Laurence Sterne's impossible-to-categorize eighteenth-century novel "The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy, Gentleman". Harbison is trying to explain the structure of Sterne's novel, which is largely the deviation from any structure.

The New Yorker

He has made a zombie flick ("28 Days Later"), a children's fantasy ("Millions"), a sci-fi thriller ("Sunshine"), two big star vehicles (Leonardo DiCaprio's "The Beach" and Cameron Diaz's "A Life Less Ordinary") and an often horrific, often hilarious, sad, sick and ultimately impossible-to-categorize drug story ("Trainspotting").

Los Angeles Times

When an observer is unsettled by an artwork being impossible to readily categorize or "judge," it is more likely to produce an interactive dialogue between observers that reframes the terms of an existing debate.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "impossible to categorize" when you want to emphasize the uniqueness or complexity of something that doesn't fit neatly into established categories. It is more emphatic than "difficult to categorize".

Common error

Avoid using "impossible to categorize" as a substitute for detailed analysis. Instead, explain why something defies categorization by indicating specific elements or traits that contribute to its unclassifiable nature.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "impossible to categorize" functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun to describe its inherent resistance to classification. It asserts a strong claim about the subject's uniqueness or complexity. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable status, showing its role in clearly stating that the subject resists standard categorization.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Academia

19%

Encyclopedias

4%

Less common in

Science

4%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "impossible to categorize" is a grammatically correct and frequently used adjectival phrase that describes something that resists standard classification. Ludwig confirms its validity and usefulness. It's prevalent in news media and academic contexts, indicating a neutral to professional register. While alternatives like "defies classification" or "eludes definition" exist, "impossible to categorize" emphasizes a strong resistance to being classified. When using this phrase, remember to provide specific reasons why the subject defies categorization rather than relying on vague descriptions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

defies classification

Emphasizes a resistance to being classified, as if actively avoiding categorization.

resists categorization

Similar to 'defies classification', but with a slightly less active resistance.

cannot be pigeonholed

Suggests a forced or simplistic categorization that is inappropriate.

eludes definition

Focuses on the difficulty in providing a clear and concise definition.

is unclassifiable

Highlights the inherent lack of categories that fit the subject.

is beyond classification

Suggests that the subject is too complex or unique for standard categories.

transcends categories

Implies that the subject surpasses the limitations of existing categories.

difficult to classify

Indicates a challenge in classification, but not necessarily an impossibility.

hard to define

Highlights the struggle in creating a concise and accurate definition.

lacks a clear category

Points out the absence of an appropriate classification for the subject.

FAQs

What does "impossible to categorize" mean?

It means something is so unique, complex, or hybrid that it cannot be easily placed into standard or existing categories or classifications.

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

You can say, "The artist's work is "impossible to categorize" because it blends elements of painting, sculpture, and performance art".

What are some alternatives to "impossible to categorize"?

Alternatives include "defies classification", "eludes definition", or "cannot be pigeonholed", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "impossible to categorize" instead of "difficult to categorize"?

"Impossible to categorize" is stronger and suggests a more fundamental lack of fit with existing categories, while "difficult to categorize" implies that categorization is challenging but potentially achievable.