impossible to quantify

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'impossible to quantify' is correct and usable in written English.
It generally means that something cannot be measured or expressed in numerical terms. For example, "It is impossible to quantify the impact of climate change on the environment."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

But it's impossible to quantify.

The New York Times - Sports

Those differences are difficult, if not impossible, to quantify.

The New York Times - Sports

The trauma is, of course, impossible to quantify.

The Guardian

But in reality, the practical impact is impossible to quantify.

The Guardian - Opinion

More nebulously, it affects expression in ways impossible to quantify.

The New York Times - Arts

It's impossible to quantify how many families make such choices.

The New York Times

It's impossible to quantify the value his work has had.

Independent

It's impossible to quantify the exact impact women have had on the city's jails.

The New York Times

In part, this is because it is impossible to quantify the risk accurately.

The New York Times

It is impossible to quantify how Stamford has suffered from the delays.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

The crucial but impossible-to-quantify factor of stardust was not included in the equation.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "impossible to quantify", ensure the context clearly explains why quantification is not possible. Providing examples of the contributing factors enhances understanding.

Common error

Avoid using "impossible to quantify" when a rough estimate or qualitative assessment is still feasible. Instead, opt for phrases like "difficult to measure precisely".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "impossible to quantify" functions as a qualifying expression, typically used to modify a noun or noun phrase. It indicates that the noun being modified lacks a measurable quantity. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

71%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Reference

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "impossible to quantify" is a grammatically sound expression used to convey that something cannot be measured or numerically assessed. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a common phrase found in news, scientific, and business contexts. While alternatives like "cannot be assessed" or "defies measurement" exist, the best choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey. Remember to use this phrase when a true numerical measurement is not feasible, rather than when a rough estimate is simply difficult to obtain.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cannot be numerically expressed

Emphasizes the inability to represent something with numbers.

cannot be assessed

Stresses the inability to evaluate or judge the magnitude.

not easily measured

Indicates that measurement is challenging or complex.

defies measurement

Emphasizes the resistance to being measured or quantified.

difficult to evaluate

Stresses the complexity in judging or assessing its value.

unmeasurable

Focuses on the lack of a measurement standard or tool.

hard to ascertain

Focuses on the difficulty of discovering something with certainty.

beyond calculation

Highlights the inability to compute or determine a value.

imprecise to estimate

Highlights the lack of accuracy in estimating.

qualitatively assessed only

Highlights how only subjective assessments are appropriate.

FAQs

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

You can use "impossible to quantify" to describe something that cannot be measured or expressed numerically. For example, "The emotional impact of the event was "impossible to quantify"."

What are some alternatives to "impossible to quantify"?

Alternatives include phrases like "cannot be assessed", "defies measurement", or "not easily measured", depending on the specific context.

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

It depends on the situation. "Difficult to quantify" suggests that measurement is challenging but potentially feasible, while ""impossible to quantify"" indicates that measurement is not possible at all. Choose the phrase that most accurately reflects the degree of measurability.

What does it mean when something is "impossible to quantify"?

When something is ""impossible to quantify"", it means that it cannot be accurately measured or expressed in numerical terms due to its intangible or complex nature.