impossible to overlook

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "impossible to overlook" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is so significant or obvious that it cannot be ignored. Example: "The bright colors of the advertisement made it impossible to overlook as I walked down the street."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

Certain names are impossible to overlook.

The Guardian - Sport

But it makes it impossible to overlook his.

The Guardian - Opinion

The work of Holly McNish is also impossible to overlook.

The Guardian

But Curry's struggles offensively are nearly impossible to overlook.

The New York Times - Sports

It's the extremely obvious elephant in the room and it's impossible to overlook.

Independent

That's not a knock on Griffin – it's just impossible to overlook what Andrew Luck is doing.

The New York Times

If Molinari does, then Montgomerie will surely find it impossible to overlook him.

Independent

Despite the replacements' solid play, it's impossible to overlook RSL's level of opposition.

The Guardian - Sport

It is a gesture that is impossible to overlook or to misunderstand.

The New York Times

It is, of course, impossible to overlook the world's largest beer festival.

The New York Times - Travel

The West Nile mosquito was the bug of choice for the gilded age: dumb, annoying, impossible to overlook.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "impossible to overlook" to emphasize the significance or obviousness of a fact, detail, or situation. This phrase is effective when you want to highlight something that demands attention and cannot be ignored.

Common error

Avoid using "impossible to overlook" for minor details or insignificant issues. Overusing this phrase can dilute its impact and make your writing seem exaggerated. Reserve it for truly prominent or critical aspects of your subject.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "impossible to overlook" functions as an adjectival phrase modifying a noun or situation. It indicates that something is so prominent or significant that it cannot be ignored or missed. Ludwig AI confirms this use across numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "impossible to overlook" is a versatile and common expression used to emphasize the significance or obviousness of something. Ludwig AI confirms that it functions as an adjectival phrase, suitable for neutral contexts such as news and general writing. When using this phrase, ensure that it accurately reflects the prominence of the subject matter and avoid overuse to maintain its impact. Consider alternatives like "hard to ignore" or "impossible to miss" to add variety to your writing. The examples demonstrate how it is most often used to draw the reader's attention to an undeniable factor.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

impossible to miss

Emphasizes the ease with which something can be noticed, making it very apparent.

hard to ignore

Similar to "difficult to disregard", focusing on the effort required to ignore something.

difficult to disregard

Suggests a challenge in ignoring something due to its importance or visibility.

unavoidable to notice

Focuses on the inevitability of noticing something, emphasizing a lack of choice.

remarkably obvious

Stresses the clarity and apparentness of something, making it easily perceived.

inescapable to see

Highlights the inability to escape seeing something, conveying a sense of being confronted by it.

undeniable to recognize

Focuses on the impossibility of denying or disputing something's existence or significance.

conspicuous and evident

Highlights both the prominence and clarity of something, ensuring it is easily noticed and understood.

cannot be unseen

Emphasizes the permanent impact of seeing something, suggesting it leaves a lasting impression.

simply must acknowledge

Highlights the necessity of acknowledging something, putting less emphasis on visual perception.

FAQs

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

Use "impossible to overlook" to describe something that is so obvious or significant that it cannot be ignored, such as "The flaw in his argument was "impossible to overlook"".

What are some alternatives to "impossible to overlook"?

You can use alternatives like "hard to ignore", "impossible to miss", or "difficult to disregard" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "unthinkable to overlook" instead of "impossible to overlook"?

While "unthinkable to overlook" conveys a similar meaning, ""impossible to overlook"" is more common and direct. "Unthinkable" emphasizes the absurdity of ignoring something, whereas "impossible" highlights the sheer unavoidability.

What's the difference between "impossible to ignore" and "impossible to overlook"?

"Impossible to ignore" and ""impossible to overlook"" are largely interchangeable. However, "overlook" implies a failure to notice something, while "ignore" suggests a conscious decision to disregard it. Choose the phrase that best fits the nuance you wish to convey.