impossible to maintain

USAGE SUMMARY

"impossible to maintain" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is often used to describe a situation, action, or condition that is impossible to continue or sustain. Examples: 1. The building was in such a state of disrepair that it was impossible to maintain, so it was eventually demolished. 2. The company's outdated business model was impossible to maintain in the competitive market, leading to its eventual bankruptcy. 3. My hectic work schedule and family commitments make it impossible to maintain a regular exercise routine. 4. The teacher found it impossible to maintain control in the chaotic classroom, and ended up resigning from her position. 5. The strict diet was impossible to maintain, and I eventually gave in to my cravings and devoured a whole pizza.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

This scope and scale proved impossible to maintain.

The New York Times - Arts

The new data makes it impossible to maintain this position, whatever vested interests are at stake.

The Guardian

This kind of perfection is profoundly irritating, not to mention impossible to maintain.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Goodwin's award for services to banking was impossible to maintain after the bank collapsed.

The Guardian - Business

"It is going to be impossible to maintain deposit pricing," he added.

The Guardian - Business

Since liquidation was announced, her meticulous approach has become impossible to maintain.

The Guardian - Business

But it's time to realize that this kind of structure is impossible to maintain".

The New York Times

But accidents will happen, and it was impossible to maintain the pretence at all times.

The Guardian - Film

Without its records, it would be impossible to maintain transactions grounded in legality.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Collaboration with Corbynistas might be too hard to stomach and impossible to maintain.

The Guardian

Is the EU just a beautiful idea that is slowly proving itself impossible to maintain?

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the specific nuance you wish to convey. Alternatives like "unsustainable" or "untenable" may be more concise or appropriate depending on the context.

Common error

While versatile, "impossible to maintain" can sometimes sound less formal than alternatives like "unsustainable" or "untenable". Assess your audience and choose accordingly.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "impossible to maintain" functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun or pronoun, indicating that the noun's or pronoun's current state or condition cannot be sustained or continued. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in a variety of contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Science

27%

Encyclopedias

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Wiki

2%

Unknown

13%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "impossible to maintain" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression that indicates the inability to sustain or continue something. As Ludwig AI explains, it is versatile and adaptable to different registers, yet primarily found in news and scientific contexts. When using the phrase, it's essential to clearly define what cannot be sustained, and considering its relatively neutral register, you might opt for more formal alternatives like "unsustainable" or "untenable" in certain professional settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unsustainable

Single-word alternative emphasizing the inability to continue without negative consequences.

not sustainable

More explicit alternative highlighting the lack of sustainability.

untenable

Formal term suggesting the situation cannot be defended or justified.

cannot be sustained

Passive voice construction emphasizing the inability to keep something going.

beyond preservation

Highlights that the thing you're trying to maintain is already too far gone.

incapable of continuation

A more formal and descriptive substitute, underscoring the lack of capacity for continuity.

unfit for permanence

Emphasizes that something cannot last for a long time.

not viable long-term

Focuses on the lack of long-term feasibility or practicality.

doomed to fail

Highlights the inevitability of failure or collapse.

certain to collapse

A strong statement emphasizing the certainty of a system's or structure's downfall.

FAQs

What does "impossible to maintain" mean?

The phrase "impossible to maintain" means something cannot be continued, sustained, or upheld in its current state or condition. It suggests a lack of feasibility or sustainability.

What are some synonyms for "impossible to maintain"?

Alternatives include "unsustainable", "untenable", "not sustainable", or "cannot be sustained", depending on the specific context.

When is it appropriate to use "impossible to maintain" in writing?

Use "impossible to maintain" when you want to clearly convey that a situation, system, practice, or condition cannot be continued or sustained due to various limiting factors.

Is there a difference between "impossible to maintain" and "difficult to maintain"?

Yes, "impossible to maintain" indicates a complete inability to sustain something, whereas "difficult to maintain" suggests it is possible but requires significant effort or resources. The former implies a definitive end, while the latter implies a challenge.