impossible to deliver

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "impossible to deliver" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that something cannot be provided or sent, often due to constraints or limitations. Example: "Due to unforeseen circumstances, the package is now impossible to deliver on time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It is impossible to deliver everything".

The New York Times

Fighting has made it impossible to deliver aid.

The New York Times

The low-cost contract they had won was impossible to deliver on".

The Guardian

I suspect it will be impossible to deliver on one without the other.

The Guardian

Thanks goodness I wasn't there since it would have been impossible to deliver decipherable early copy.

The Guardian - Sport

But when the growth tailed off, the promise of profitability became impossible to deliver.

The New York Times

It is impossible to deliver high touch medicine in a fee-for-service system that emphasizes quantity over quality.

The New York Times

"It's impossible to deliver our product to Manhattan on time," said John Quadrozzi, president of Quadrozzi Concrete Corporation in Queens.

The New York Times

Relief agencies say a shortage of helicopters has made it impossible to deliver enough food and supplies.

The New York Times

Like so many of his ideas, the scheme was exciting and eye-catching, but impossible to deliver.

The Guardian

"It is virtually impossible to deliver a relocation plan that can gain the acceptance of local people," he said.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "impossible to deliver", ensure the context clearly specifies what is undeliverable and why. This prevents ambiguity and strengthens the statement's impact.

Common error

Avoid using "impossible to deliver" hyperbolically. Reserve it for situations where delivery is genuinely unattainable, not merely difficult or inconvenient, to maintain credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "impossible to deliver" functions as an adjective phrase describing something that is not capable of being provided or accomplished. Ludwig confirms its standard usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "impossible to deliver" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to indicate that something cannot be provided or achieved. As confirmed by Ludwig, this phrase enjoys widespread use across various contexts, most notably in news, scientific, and formal business settings. While versatile, it's crucial to employ the phrase accurately, reserving it for situations where delivery is truly unattainable. For alternative phrasing, consider options like "unachievable" or "infeasible", based on context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

undeliverable

Focuses on the item or service itself being unable to be delivered, rather than the act of delivering.

cannot be provided

A more direct way of stating the inability to furnish something.

unachievable

Indicates that the goal or outcome is not possible to achieve, shifting the focus from delivery to overall attainability.

unattainable

Focuses on the impossibility of reaching the desired outcome or target.

infeasible

Highlights the impracticality or unsuitability of delivering something under given circumstances.

impracticable

Similar to infeasible, but emphasizes the difficulty in putting the delivery into practice.

unperformable

Highlights the inability to carry out or execute the delivery.

not viable

Suggests that delivering the item or service is not sustainable or economically sensible.

beyond reach

Emphasizes that delivery is impossible due to limitations or obstacles.

out of the question

Indicates that delivery is not a possibility and will not be considered.

FAQs

What does "impossible to deliver" mean?

The phrase "impossible to deliver" means something cannot be provided, achieved, or fulfilled. It indicates a situation where an expected action or outcome is not feasible.

What are some alternatives to "impossible to deliver"?

Alternatives include "unachievable", "infeasible", or "cannot be provided". The best choice depends on the specific context.

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

Example: "Due to the storm, aid was impossible to deliver to the remote villages." Or: "The company realized that the promised results were impossible to deliver with the current resources."

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

"Difficult to deliver" suggests something is challenging but potentially achievable. "Impossible to deliver" indicates it cannot be done under any circumstances. The first may require extra effort, the second is fundamentally unachievable.