impossible to determine

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "impossible to determine" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing that something cannot be figured out or assessed due to lack of information or clarity. Example: "Given the conflicting data, it is impossible to determine the exact cause of the issue."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Their number was impossible to determine precisely.

The New York Times

But how many are actually watching is impossible to determine.

The New York Times

The truth of what happened next is impossible to determine.

The New York Times - Books

The extent of the damage was impossible to determine.

The New York Times

Whether there was a sexual affair is impossible to determine.

The New York Times - Books

What that means in Anthony's case is impossible to determine.

The New York Times - Sports

From above, however, it is nearly impossible to determine what the ships have aboard.

The New York Times

"The OFT itself has admitted that it's almost impossible to determine what charges are".

The Guardian - Money

By late afternoon, it remained impossible to determine who was responsible for the shooting.

The New York Times

It is impossible to determine how many of the executives' options are exercisable at current prices.

The New York Times

It is impossible to determine how many people use or plan to use the techniques.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "impossible to determine", ensure that the context clearly indicates what factors contribute to the impossibility, such as lack of data, conflicting evidence, or inherent ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "impossible to determine" when the situation only presents significant challenges or difficulties. Reserve this phrase for scenarios where determination is genuinely unachievable.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "impossible to determine" functions as an adjectival phrase that modifies a noun or pronoun, expressing the inability to ascertain something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a valid and frequently used expression in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "impossible to determine" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that expresses the inability to ascertain something definitively. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, its widespread usage across diverse sources, especially in News & Media and Science contexts, underscores its validity and versatility. While the phrase is appropriate for formal and neutral registers, it's essential to avoid overstating impossibility when a situation presents only significant challenges rather than genuine unachievability. Alternatives like "cannot be ascertained" or "unable to be determined" offer nuanced options for expressing similar limitations in knowledge or understanding.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

impossible to ascertain

Focuses on a formal inability to find something out definitively.

unable to be determined

Uses a passive voice to convey the lack of determination, shifting the focus from the actor to the state.

cannot be determined

A more direct way of expressing that something defies determination.

impossible to establish

Emphasizes the difficulty in firmly proving or setting something up.

beyond determination

Indicates that something is outside the realm of being able to be figured out.

not possible to determine

Simplifies the expression to a basic impossibility.

defies determination

Highlights the resistance of something to being determined.

remains unknown

Indicates a state of ongoing lack of knowledge without implying an attempt to determine.

impossible to figure out

Replaces "determine" with a more informal phrasal verb.

difficult to determine

Suggests a degree of challenge rather than impossibility in finding something out.

FAQs

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

You can use "impossible to determine" to describe situations where finding a definitive answer is unachievable. For example, "Due to the limited evidence, it's impossible to determine the exact cause of the malfunction".

What are some alternatives to "impossible to determine"?

Alternatives include "cannot be ascertained", "remains unknown", or "unable to be determined", depending on the context.

Is it better to say "difficult to determine" or "impossible to determine"?

Use "difficult to determine" when there are significant challenges in finding an answer, but it's still potentially achievable. Use "impossible to determine" when a definitive answer is truly unachievable, such as in cases where data is permanently lost or nonexistent.

What makes something "impossible to determine"?

Factors like lack of reliable data, conflicting information, inherent ambiguity, or destroyed evidence can make something "impossible to determine". The defining characteristic is that no amount of analysis can lead to a definitive conclusion.