impossible to proceed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "impossible to proceed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that a task or action cannot be continued or completed due to certain circumstances or obstacles. Example: "Due to the lack of necessary resources, it is impossible to proceed with the project as planned."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

It is impossible to proceed without it.

The New York Times - Science

No, the head said: without the eighth document it would be impossible to proceed.

The New York Times - Travel

While W.P.S. and Borislow are scheduled to return to court Wednesday, league officials determined it would be impossible to proceed with a season while tied up in court.

The New York Times

The White House does have the right to take steps against reporters who make it impossible to proceed in a reasonable fashion, Abrams said.

The Guardian

This would clearly be a different case if the State had shown that it was impossible to proceed on the more serious charge at the outset, as in Diaz v. United States, 223 U.S. 442, 32 S.Ct.

Cornell University

Meanwhile, at 6.30pm a press release further detailing Panorama's account of what happened at Newsnight was circulating and the corporate team at the BBC felt it was impossible to proceed until the next day.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

"Because they touch so many mortgages in this country, it makes it impossible for us to proceed," he said.

The New York Times

The officials said the rules, outlined in a letter sent to state health officials by the Bush administration on Friday, would make it nearly impossible for New York to proceed with a plan to grant federally subsidized health insurance to tens of thousands of children who lack health coverage.

The New York Times

"It would make it almost politically impossible for him to proceed because of the legacy of Iraq," he added.

BBC

The thick smoke made it impossible for Hibbs to proceed any further into the family's three-bedroom, one-story house.

Huffington Post

Where there is disagreement in the landowning group it is often impossible for projects to proceed or productivity is lessened.

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "impossible to proceed", ensure the reason for the impossibility is clear to the reader. Providing context strengthens the statement and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "impossible to proceed" when the situation is merely difficult or challenging. Reserve it for cases where continuing is genuinely unachievable, not just undesirable.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "impossible to proceed" functions as an adjective phrase followed by an infinitive verb, modifying an implied or stated subject. It asserts the infeasibility of continuing with a specific action or process, as demonstrated by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

25%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "impossible to proceed" is a commonly used and grammatically correct expression that indicates a situation where continuation is not feasible. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely employed across diverse contexts, ranging from News & Media to scientific and academic domains. When using this phrase, it is important to provide clear context regarding the reasons for the impossibility to avoid ambiguity. While similar alternatives exist, such as "unable to continue" or "not viable to advance", "impossible to proceed" conveys a stronger sense of finality and insurmountable obstacles.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unfeasible to continue

Focuses on the lack of practicality or suitability to carry on.

not viable to advance

Emphasizes the lack of a sustainable or successful path forward.

cannot move forward

A more direct and simple way of expressing the inability to progress.

precluded from advancing

Highlights the prevention or obstruction of further progress.

unable to go on

A general statement of being stopped or hindered.

at a standstill

Indicates a complete halt in progress.

no further progress possible

Emphasizes the complete lack of opportunity for future advancement.

progress is halted

A passive construction indicating the cessation of advancement.

brought to a standstill

Focuses on the action or event that caused the cessation of progress.

unable to make headway

Highlights the lack of progress despite effort.

FAQs

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

You can use "impossible to proceed" to describe situations where continuation is not feasible. For example: "Due to lack of funding, it is "impossible to proceed" with the project."

What are some alternatives to "impossible to proceed"?

Alternatives include "unfeasible to continue", "cannot move forward", or "not viable to advance".

Is there a difference between "unable to proceed" and "impossible to proceed"?

"Unable to proceed" suggests a lack of capacity or permission, while "impossible to proceed" implies that external factors make continuation unachievable. Although they are similar, "impossible to proceed" is a stronger statement.

What makes it "impossible to proceed" versus simply difficult?

When something is "impossible to proceed", there are insurmountable obstacles that make continuation not possible, whereas a difficult situation presents challenges that can potentially be overcome.