impossible to surpass

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "impossible to surpass" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe something that cannot be exceeded in quality, performance, or achievement. An example: "Her record in the marathon is considered impossible to surpass." Alternative expressions include "unmatched" and "incomparable."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

The fact is that it's impossible to surpass any work that is considered "archetypal" or "classic".

The New Yorker

Certainly their soaring levels of achievement made it difficult for succeeding artists to follow in their footsteps and impossible to surpass them.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Chrysler had seemingly done the impossible: to surpass its acclaimed 2011 Super Bowl commercial, which starred the hip-hop artist Eminem and introduced the memorable tag line "Imported From Detroit".

The New York Times

To Jane, and to her brother Peter, it must have looked impossible to surpass the acting success of their father, though by now both have at least equalled it.

The Guardian

The fact is that it's impossible to surpass any work that is considered "archetypal" or "classic". But, for that reason, it was better for me not to try to avoid the comparison, because I was able to benefit from the expectations that readers of "Misery" would bring to my book.

The New Yorker

25 check-ins is a lot but not impossible to surpass.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

To those of us who were children at the time, Ricky Villa's 1981 FA Cup final replay dribble (v Man City, Wembley) appeared to be impossible to ever surpass.

BBC

Beckett was the cool one you wanted to be, the embodiment of all your Left Bank reveries; Joyce the towering but somehow dislikeable genius you wanted to surpass, however impossible that seemed.

The Guardian - Books

LA ROCHEFOUCAULD Man is the only creature that strives to surpass himself, and yearns for the impossible.

Forbes

As a result, Valve may find it impossible to match or surpass the next PlayStation and Xbox's specifications without being lumbered with a much higher price tag.

BBC

That is expected to surpass 1.5m this year.

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "impossible to surpass" when emphasizing a seemingly insurmountable level of achievement or quality. Ensure that the context clearly supports the claim that exceeding the existing standard is highly improbable.

Common error

Avoid using "impossible to surpass" when the possibility of improvement or exceeding the standard exists, even if it is difficult. Overusing the phrase can weaken its impact and credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "impossible to surpass" functions as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun by describing a quality or achievement that is exceedingly difficult or unable to be exceeded. This is evident in the provided examples from Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Encyclopedias

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "impossible to surpass" is an adjective phrase used to describe something that is exceedingly difficult or cannot be exceeded. Ludwig AI indicates the phrase is grammatically correct and suitable for use in various contexts, though it appears more frequently in News & Media. Related phrases include "unsurpassable" and "beyond comparison". When using this phrase, it is important to ensure the context genuinely reflects the improbability of exceeding the described standard. In essence, this means, as Ludwig AI confirms, that overstating this can weaken the phrase's impact. Ludwig's analysis suggests that while the phrase is valid, mindful application enhances its rhetorical strength.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unsurpassable

A more formal synonym directly stating that something cannot be surpassed.

unachievable to exceed

Emphasizes the lack of possibility of reaching a higher level.

unattainable to outstrip

Focuses on the inability to become better than something else.

insurmountable to trump

Highlights the challenge of overcoming a present achievement.

unbeatable to outshine

Conveys the impossibility of surpassing in excellence or visibility.

out of reach to better

Implies a degree of inaccessibility, focusing on being unable to improve upon something.

beyond comparison

Indicates that the subject is of such high quality that it defies comparison.

cannot be rivaled

Expresses the inability of anything else to compete with the subject's quality.

impossible to equal

Highlights the difficulty in achieving the same level as something else.

incomparable

Stresses the uniqueness and lack of peers of something.

FAQs

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

You can use "impossible to surpass" to describe achievements or qualities that are exceedingly difficult to exceed. For example, "The athlete's record seems "impossible to surpass"".

What are some alternatives to "impossible to surpass"?

Alternatives include "unsurpassable", "beyond comparison", or "cannot be rivaled". Choose the one that best fits the specific context.

Is it correct to say "almost impossible to surpass"?

Yes, "almost "impossible to surpass"" is a valid and commonly used expression. It indicates a very high level of difficulty in exceeding a certain standard, but allows for a slight possibility.

What's the difference between "difficult to surpass" and "impossible to surpass"?

"Difficult to surpass" suggests that it is challenging but achievable to exceed a certain standard, while ""impossible to surpass"" indicates that it is not reasonably possible to do so. The latter conveys a stronger sense of finality.