impossible to shake

USAGE SUMMARY

"impossible to shake" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is difficult or impossible to get rid of, change, or forget. Example: The traumatic experience was impossible to shake from her mind, causing her to have recurring nightmares.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Music

Books

Opinion

Business

Lifestyle

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

52 human-written examples

Marriage may seem impossible to shake off.

The Guardian - Money

Even then, she was impossible to shake off.

The New Yorker

Once in your system, it's impossible to shake, like a neurological imprint.

The New York Times - Arts

But it's impossible to shake the feeling that this is a car whose time has passed.

The New York Times

Yet it's impossible to shake the notion that knowledge is extraordinarily important impossible, and terribly unwise.

The New Yorker

It is impossible to shake the feeling Ipswich and McCarthy met at a Sliding Doors moment.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

8 human-written examples

But as soon as I saw the ex-Vice President and his ideologically combative wife making their way around the reception room, I knew that it would be impossible not to shake hands.

The New Yorker

It's a disorder of thought: harrowing, distressing, torturing, impossible-to-shake thought.

The Guardian - Opinion

The beauty in his GIFs is that though your rational brain knows they'll loop forever and ever, utterly unchanging, his skillful animation imbues your irrational brain with an impossible-to-shake confidence that they will change.

Vice

Narrative incidents are impossible (ever tried to shake an oak tree?).

The Guardian - Books

The thought is almost impossible for her to shake once she brings it up.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "impossible to shake" when you want to emphasize the persistent nature of a feeling, idea, or image. For instance, "The feeling that I was being watched was impossible to shake."

Common error

While versatile, avoid using "impossible to shake" too frequently in casual conversation. Opt for simpler alternatives like "I can't get it out of my head" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "impossible to shake" functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun, describing something that cannot be easily removed, forgotten, or dispelled. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a commonly used phrase in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Music

6%

Books

6%

Less common in

Opinion

3%

Business

2%

Lifestyle

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "impossible to shake" is a commonly used and grammatically correct expression that effectively conveys the difficulty of removing a feeling, idea, or image from one's mind. Ludwig AI confirms its widespread use. Predominantly found in News & Media sources, it maintains a neutral tone suitable for various contexts. When writing, consider the intensity you wish to convey and opt for suitable alternatives like "hard to get rid of" or "cannot be forgotten" for nuances in meaning. By understanding its function and communicative purpose, you can effectively incorporate "impossible to shake" into your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cannot be forgotten

Directly states the inability to forget something, emphasizing its memorable nature.

unforgettable

Focuses on the memorable quality of something, making it resist fading from memory.

stuck in one's mind

Implies something is persistently present in one's thoughts and difficult to dislodge.

hard to get rid of

Focuses on the act of removing something, implying a physical or metaphorical effort to eliminate it.

impossible to ignore

Emphasizes the prominence and compelling nature of something, forcing attention.

difficult to dismiss

Highlights the challenge in rejecting or disregarding an idea or feeling.

indelible

Emphasizes the permanence and lasting impact of something, making it unerasable.

deep-seated

Indicates something is firmly established and ingrained, making it challenging to change.

tenacious

Stresses the persistence and holding power of something, suggesting it resists being loosened.

lingering

Suggests something remains present and continues to affect you over time.

FAQs

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

Use "impossible to shake" to describe a feeling, thought, or image that is difficult to get rid of or forget. For example, "The memory of the accident was "impossible to shake"."

What are some alternatives to "impossible to shake"?

Some alternatives include "hard to get rid of", "difficult to dismiss", or "cannot be forgotten", depending on the specific context.

Is "impossible to shake off" the same as "impossible to shake"?

"Impossible to shake off" and "impossible to shake" are very similar. "Shake off" often implies actively trying to get rid of something, while "impossible to shake" can simply describe the persistent nature of something without necessarily implying an active attempt to dispel it.

What kind of things are typically described as "impossible to shake"?

Typically, feelings, memories, impressions, or ideas are described as "impossible to shake". These are often things that have a strong emotional or mental hold.