impracticable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "impracticable" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe something that is not feasible or practical to implement or carry out. Example: "The proposed plan was deemed impracticable due to the lack of resources and time."

✓ Grammatically correct

Encyclopedias

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Peugeot is undergoing a deep restructuring, with many job losses, and has tapped €7 billion in state guarantees.Fiat said that launching an IPO of Chrysler, in which it owns a 58.5% stake, would be impracticable before the end of the year, reversing its assertion that a flotation was on track for 2013.

The Economist

From that moment he took on the task of defending the "procreative mission": the beautiful, profound, but profoundly impracticable teaching of Paul VI's Humanae Vitae, that every human sexual act must be open to the transmission of life.

The Economist

The Krever commission found that Connaught decided it was "impracticable" to inspect all the plasma-collection sites itself, and decided to rely instead on FDA reports which it did not, in fact, review.

The Economist

(A Greek-Cypriot plan to build a gas terminal on Cyprus and an undersea pipeline to Crete, Greece and Italy, is seen as expensive and impracticable).

The Economist

He then had to aggregate all the information himself, often using nothing more high-tech than a pen and paper.Let's take the busThe obvious answer to this IT chaos to build one huge, integrated system was impracticable, because it would have been impossible to get all those involved to agree to a common set of standards.

The Economist

At that time the BJP had to forsake such ideas as politically impracticable.

The Economist

Most experts say that the cost and the physical disruption would make this impracticable.

The Economist

The Royal Statistical Society (RSS) had proposed something similar in 1919, only to be told it would be impracticable.

The Economist

Talk about the economy of a Greater China is premature when the mainland's economy remains highly fragmented as well as over-regulated; and when a looming crisis in public-sector finances could set back development for years.China's harsh, outdated and impracticable political arrangements are no help.

The Economist

No fewer than five commissioners are now involved with foreign affairs, making such an idea impracticable as well as unpopular.

The Economist

The first line of attack will be that they are impracticable.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a plan or proposal, use "impracticable" to clearly convey that it cannot be realistically implemented due to inherent limitations or constraints.

Common error

Avoid using "impracticable" and "impractical" as direct substitutes. While both relate to feasibility, "impracticable" suggests impossibility in practice, whereas "impractical" indicates something is not sensible or convenient but still potentially doable.

Linguistic Context

The adjective "impracticable" primarily functions to describe something that is not capable of being carried out in practice, often due to inherent limitations or insurmountable obstacles. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage across a range of contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Encyclopedias

30%

News & Media

25%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

15%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "impracticable" is an adjective used to describe something that is impossible or extremely difficult to put into practice. Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically correct and widely used across various authoritative sources. It's most common in encyclopedias, news media, and scientific contexts, conveying a neutral to formal tone. When writing, remember that while related to "impractical", "impracticable" implies a greater degree of impossibility. Substitute options include "unworkable", "infeasible", and "impossible", all of which can fine-tune your message based on the specific nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unworkable

This alternative suggests that something cannot be implemented successfully.

infeasible

This term indicates that something is not capable of being done or carried out.

unrealistic

This suggests that something is not grounded in reality or likely to happen.

impossible

This implies that something is not capable of occurring or being accomplished.

not viable

This means that something cannot sustain itself or operate successfully.

out of the question

This suggests something is not worth considering.

not feasible

Similar to infeasible, but may imply it's not suitable for the current situation.

unachievable

Highlights the impossibility of reaching a goal or outcome.

beyond reach

Indicates the state of not being obtainable or accessible.

not practical

This emphasizes that something isn't suited for real-world application.

FAQs

How do I use "impracticable" in a sentence?

Use "impracticable" to describe something that is impossible or extremely difficult to put into practice. For example: "Launching an IPO of Chrysler would be "impracticable" before the end of the year".

What are some synonyms for "impracticable"?

Alternatives to "impracticable" include "unworkable", "infeasible", "unrealistic", and "impossible" depending on the context.

What is the difference between "impracticable" and "impractical"?

"Impracticable" means impossible to carry out in practice, while "impractical" means not sensible or realistic. A plan can be "impractical" because it's inconvenient, but it's "impracticable" if it simply cannot be done.

Is it appropriate to use "impracticable" in formal writing?

Yes, "impracticable" is suitable for formal writing. It is used in academic, professional, and news contexts to describe something that is not feasible or realistically possible.