impossible to manage

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "impossible to manage" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation, task, or object that cannot be effectively controlled or handled. Example: "The project became impossible to manage due to the constant changes in requirements and lack of resources."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

His fractious coalition proved impossible to manage.

The New York Times

It became impossible to manage.

The Guardian - Sport

That seems impossible to manage.

The New Yorker

The family budget is impossible to manage.

The Guardian - Opinion

It may be impossible to manage and it may also be impossible to manage without.

The New Yorker

Otherwise, the semester could turn out impossible to manage.

Stanford University

"I know it's difficult but it's not impossible to manage".

The Guardian

It is impossible to manage these sorts of capital projects across the whole country from Whitehall.

The Guardian

It was 1950 and I was rebellious, described as "impossible to manage" by my foster parents.

The Guardian

The dismissed CPS lawyer was not impossible to manage, Margo said.

The Guardian

But the potential bonanza of the trash has proved, like a gold rush, impossible to manage.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a situation as "impossible to manage", be specific about the reasons why it is so. Providing context strengthens your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "impossible to manage" lightly. Reserve it for situations where genuine attempts at management have failed or are clearly futile, as overuse can diminish its impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "impossible to manage" functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun or pronoun. It describes something that cannot be effectively controlled or handled. Ludwig AI indicates that this usage is grammatically sound and frequently employed in varied contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

24%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Academia

6%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "impossible to manage" is a grammatically correct and very common expression used to describe situations, tasks, or individuals that are extremely difficult or impossible to control. According to Ludwig, its neutral tone makes it versatile for various contexts, particularly in news, scientific, and formal business settings. While useful, it's important to use the phrase judiciously, reserving it for truly unmanageable situations and providing specific context to strengthen the statement. Furthermore, while alternatives like "unmanageable" or "beyond control" exist, "impossible to manage" maintains a distinct and effective presence in written and spoken English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unmanageable

Single word replacement, expressing the state of being impossible to manage.

beyond control

Indicates a situation that has exceeded the limits of control.

out of hand

Suggests a situation has escalated and is no longer controllable.

not feasible to control

Emphasizes the lack of practicality in controlling something.

impossible to regulate

Focuses on the inability to impose rules or order.

defies management

Highlights the resistance of something to being managed.

cannot be handled

Emphasizes the inability to deal with or manage a situation or task.

presents insurmountable challenges for management

Highlights the difficulties on managing something.

proves too difficult to oversee

Emphasizes the difficulty in supervising something.

becomes ungovernable

Implies a state where something cannot be governed or ruled.

FAQs

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

You can use "impossible to manage" to describe situations, tasks, or people that are extremely difficult or impossible to control or handle effectively. For example: "The workload became "impossible to manage" with the reduced staff."

What are some alternatives to "impossible to manage"?

Some alternatives include "unmanageable", "beyond control", or "out of hand". The best choice depends on the specific context.

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

Use "difficult to manage" when something presents significant challenges but can still be handled with effort. Use "impossible to manage" when it's truly beyond any reasonable control. It depends on the degree of difficulty.

What does it mean when someone is described as "impossible to manage"?

Describing a person as "impossible to manage" suggests they are extremely resistant to direction, control, or discipline. This often implies they are rebellious, uncooperative, or have behaviors that are difficult to modify.