impossible to eat

USAGE SUMMARY

"impossible to eat" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used to describe a food or dish that is extremely difficult or impossible to consume, either due to its size or texture. Example: The giant burger on the menu looked delicious, but it was impossible to eat in one sitting.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Impossible to eat.

The New Yorker

"But it's impossible to eat so much.

The New Yorker

It's almost impossible to eat just one.

The New York Times

If it's impossible to eat mindfully every day, consider planning one special repast a week.

The New York Times - Food

It was impossible to eat them without getting powdered sugar everywhere, but it didn't matter.

The New Yorker

It is impossible to eat well in groups if you cannot eat well alone.

The New York Times - Magazine

It's fun to chat, but it's also impossible to eat at the same time.

The Washington Post

So, too, did the sliced pork with watercress, which was also nearly impossible to eat.

The New York Times

"It is totally impossible to eat healthily with six pesos," says Sergio Britos, one of the study's authors.

The Economist

And my mouth is covered in sores, which makes it impossible to eat, drink or even swallow.

The New York Times

They make it impossible to eat even the tender parts of the huge, almost raw and sinewy Muscovy duck breast.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing food in creative writing, instead of just saying it's "impossible to eat", use figurative language to illustrate the challenging qualities. For instance, "The meat was a rubbery fortress, impossible to breach with a fork."

Common error

Avoid using "impossible to eat" repeatedly within a short passage. Instead, vary your language by using synonyms like "inedible" or "unpalatable" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "impossible to eat" functions as an adjectival phrase modifying an implied noun (food item). It describes a state where consuming something is not feasible. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

95%

Formal & Business

3%

Science

1%

Less common in

Academia

0.33%

Encyclopedias

0.33%

Wiki

0.33%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "impossible to eat" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe food that cannot be consumed due to various factors like taste, texture, or condition. Ludwig AI validates its correct usage. It appears most frequently in news and media contexts. While there are many ways to phrase this idea, the directness of "impossible to eat" makes it a versatile choice. When writing, consider providing the reason why something is "impossible to eat" for greater clarity and impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

inedible

Focuses on the characteristic of being unsuitable or dangerous to eat.

unfit for consumption

Highlights that something is not in a condition to be safely eaten.

too difficult to consume

Emphasizes the effort required makes eating impractical.

not able to be eaten

States a simple lack of possibility of eating.

cannot be ingested

Uses more formal language to indicate an inability to take food in.

beyond edibility

Indicates a state where something has surpassed being edible.

unpalatable

Focuses on the unpleasant taste making it hard to eat.

too tough to eat

Highlights a texture issue that prevents easy consumption.

virtually uneatable

Indicates a high degree of difficulty in eating.

not fit to be consumed

Focuses on unsuitability for eating, similar to "unfit for consumption" but slightly more formal.

FAQs

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

You can use "impossible to eat" to describe food that is too hard, too spicy, or otherwise unsuitable for consumption. For example, "The chili was so spicy it was "impossible to eat"."

What's a more vivid way to say "impossible to eat"?

Instead of saying "impossible to eat", you could describe the food's qualities directly, such as "The steak was so tough you couldn't even cut it", or "The dish was "unpalatable"."

Is it grammatically correct to say "impossible to be eaten" instead of "impossible to eat"?

While "impossible to be eaten" is grammatically correct, "impossible to eat" is more concise and commonly used. The latter is generally preferred in most contexts.

What can I say instead of "impossible to eat" when describing a food allergy?

If you are allergic to a food, you can say "I can't eat [food]" or "I'm allergic to [food]" instead of saying it's "impossible to eat". For example, "I can't eat peanuts" or "Peanuts are "off-limits" for me."