impossible to reconcile

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'impossible to reconcile' is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it when you want to express that two or more things cannot be reconciled or brought into agreement. Example sentence: The two opposing sides of the argument seemed impossible to reconcile.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

The different accounts were almost impossible to reconcile.

The New York Times

The contradiction in his remarks seems impossible to reconcile.

The New York Times

"It's virtually impossible to reconcile those two things".

The New York Times

Two things, but they are impossible to reconcile.

The Guardian - Opinion

It was almost impossible to reconcile the discrepancy in the different accounts.

The New York Times

On the Protestant side, it proved impossible to reconcile the various reforming movements.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It seems impossible to reconcile this music with the sordid family drama behind the Stutterheim dedication.

The New Yorker

It might appear impossible to reconcile the two seemingly discordant narratives of Ms. Ferrato's photographic career.

The New York Times

Perhaps it's impossible to reconcile such a high-profile career with a desire for privacy.

The Guardian

However, some doctors' leaders and health policy experts see them as impossible to reconcile.

The Guardian

I understand father-daughter ties, but it seems impossible to reconcile".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "impossible to reconcile" when you want to emphasize the irreconcilable nature of differences or contradictions. It suggests a fundamental incompatibility that cannot be overcome.

Common error

Avoid using "impossible to reconcile" when a situation is merely difficult to resolve. Instead, use phrases like "difficult to reconcile" or "hard to reconcile" to indicate a challenge that may still be overcome.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "impossible to reconcile" functions as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to describe something that cannot be brought into agreement or harmony. As Ludwig AI explains, it indicates an irreconcilable situation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

17%

Encyclopedias

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "impossible to reconcile" is a grammatically correct and very common way to express that two or more things cannot be brought into agreement. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely used across various contexts, particularly in news and media, as well as in scientific and encyclopedic sources. When using this phrase, ensure the situation truly reflects an irreconcilable conflict, rather than simply a difficult one. Alternatives include "irreconcilable", "incompatible", and "mutually exclusive". This phrase is best suited for neutral and objective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

irreconcilable

Single word that directly captures the impossibility of reconciling.

unable to harmonize

Focuses on the inability to bring things into a state of harmony or agreement.

incapable of being reconciled

More formal and explicitly states the inability to reconcile.

beyond reconciliation

Emphasizes that the possibility of reconciliation has passed.

cannot be brought into agreement

Highlights the inability to reach a consensus or understanding.

mutually exclusive

Indicates that the items cannot coexist or be true at the same time.

diametrically opposed

Stresses that the items are completely opposite and cannot be resolved.

in fundamental disagreement

Focuses on the deep underlying differences preventing reconciliation.

conflicting

Simple term for indicating a clash that makes reconciliation impossible

incompatible

Highlights that the items cannot work together or exist harmoniously.

FAQs

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

You can use "impossible to reconcile" to describe situations where differences or contradictions are too great to be resolved. For example: "The two accounts of the event were "impossible to reconcile"."

What are some alternatives to "impossible to reconcile"?

Alternatives include "irreconcilable", "incompatible", or "mutually exclusive" depending on the context.

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

Use "difficult to reconcile" when there's a challenge in finding agreement but reconciliation is still possible. Use "impossible to reconcile" when the differences are so fundamental that agreement is not achievable.

What does "impossible to reconcile" imply?

It implies a fundamental conflict or contradiction that cannot be resolved or harmonized. It suggests a situation where two or more things are inherently opposed to each other.