impossible to control

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "impossible to control" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation, object, or behavior that cannot be managed or regulated effectively. Example: "The wildfire spread rapidly, becoming impossible to control despite the efforts of the firefighters."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

It's impossible to control".

The New York Times

It is nearly impossible to control for all these variables.

The Guardian

Its impossible to control the indexing of your online presence.

The Guardian - Tech

The communications delay makes it impossible to control the spacecraft directly from Earth.

The Guardian

Success as an actor, when it came, was unexpected and impossible to control.

The Guardian - Film

But in the internet era, it is impossible to control this market.

The Guardian

The road rage incident confirmed his suspicions that such men were almost impossible to control.

The Guardian

"The technology of remote-control warfare is impossible to control," the report says.

The Guardian

Until negotiations began two years ago, POP's seemed virtually impossible to control.

The New York Times - Science

He said fire in the inaccessible area would be nearly impossible to control.

The New York Times

"I'm feeling much more calm," she told me, adding, "It's impossible to control millions of Cubans".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a process or system that is failing despite intervention, use "impossible to control" to emphasize the futility of further efforts. For example: "The spread of misinformation online became "impossible to control", despite fact-checking initiatives."

Common error

Avoid using "impossible to control" in situations where control is merely difficult but not entirely out of reach. Overstating the lack of control can undermine the credibility of your argument. Use it only when all reasonable measures have been exhausted or are demonstrably ineffective.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "impossible to control" primarily functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun or pronoun, indicating that the subject is unmanageable or beyond regulation. Ludwig AI validates this as grammatically sound and widely applicable across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Encyclopedias

4%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "impossible to control" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to describe situations or entities that cannot be managed or regulated. As confirmed by Ludwig, its applications span various contexts, from news reports on uncontrollable events to scientific discussions on unmanageable variables. While alternatives like "unmanageable" or "out of control" exist, "impossible to control" succinctly conveys a complete lack of manageability. When using this phrase, ensure it accurately reflects a situation where all attempts at control have been exhausted, avoiding exaggeration to maintain credibility. The phrase has a neutral tone, suitable for both formal and informal settings, emphasizing its versatility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

beyond control

This phrase indicates that a situation or entity has exceeded the ability to be regulated or governed.

out of control

Suggests a loss of regulation or governance, often implying chaos or disorder.

unmanageable

This term emphasizes the difficulty in managing or handling something.

defies management

This phrase emphasizes that a situation or entity resist to any managing attempts.

ungovernable

Highlights the inability to govern or regulate effectively.

not amenable to control

This alternative suggests that something is not easily persuaded or managed.

irrepressible

This term emphasizes the inability to restrain or suppress something.

resistant to regulation

Highlights the resilience against imposed regulation or control.

unstoppable

This phrase points out that something can't be stopped or prevented from progressing.

immune to influence

Suggests an imperviousness to external influence or manipulation.

FAQs

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

Use "impossible to control" to describe something that cannot be managed or regulated. For example: "The crowd at the concert became "impossible to control"" or "The spread of the virus was "impossible to control" once it reached the community".

What are some alternatives to "impossible to control"?

You can use alternatives like "unmanageable", "out of control", or "beyond control" depending on the specific context.

What is the difference between "difficult to control" and "impossible to control"?

"Difficult to control" suggests that something requires significant effort to manage, while "impossible to control" indicates that it cannot be managed at all, regardless of effort.

Is it grammatically correct to say "impossible to be controlled"?

While grammatically valid, "impossible to control" is more concise and commonly used. "Impossible to be controlled" can sound more passive and less direct than the active voice construction.