is impossible to ascertain

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is impossible to ascertain" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing something that cannot be determined or figured out. Example: "The exact cause of the phenomenon is impossible to ascertain without further research."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Wiki

Formal & Business

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

53 human-written examples

As neither biographer is big on sourcing, the truth is impossible to ascertain.

The New York Times - Books

Similarly, how many have disappeared, taken into the jungle to never return, is impossible to ascertain.

The Guardian

It is never elaborated on, and its reliability is impossible to ascertain.

The New York Times - Magazine

The scale of the problem is impossible to ascertain precisely in a country where everything has been destroyed.

The New York Times

"It is impossible to ascertain exactly how much of Teva's product has entered or may enter the market," he said.

The New York Times

But, since each accountability program has invariably been implemented statewide at inception, it is impossible to ascertain the impact of any single state system.

Stanford University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

7 human-written examples

It was impossible to ascertain whether the shelling came from the military or the rebel Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam.

The New York Times

But it was impossible to ascertain tonight just how serious the breach was.

The New York Times

But she admitted that how many people who had unknowingly eaten horsemeat was likely to be impossible to ascertain.

The Guardian

Griffith-Jones concluded that nobody should be prosecuted, as it was impossible to ascertain which guards had inflicted which blows.

The Guardian

Fighters were killed on both sides, according to the two accounts, but it was impossible to ascertain the correct toll.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "is impossible to ascertain", ensure that you've exhausted all reasonable avenues of investigation. This phrase implies a definitive inability to determine something, not just a current lack of knowledge.

Common error

Avoid using "is impossible to ascertain" when the situation simply requires further investigation. Reserve this phrase for scenarios where fundamental limitations prevent determination, not just when information is currently unavailable.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is impossible to ascertain" functions as a descriptor expressing a state of absolute uncertainty or indeterminability. As Ludwig AI shows, this phrase is commonly employed to convey that something cannot be known or determined through any means. This declaration aims to communicate the futility of trying to find the value of something.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

26%

News & Media

22%

Academia

18%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Formal & Business

7%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "is impossible to ascertain" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that indicates something cannot be determined or known. Ludwig AI confirms its usage across various contexts, including science, news, and academia. While its register is generally neutral to formal, careful consideration should be given to ensure it's used accurately, reflecting a genuine inability to determine something rather than a mere lack of current information. When in doubt, consider alternatives like "cannot be determined" or "remains unknown" for slightly different shades of meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cannot be determined

Changes the phrasing to a more direct statement of inability to determine.

is not possible to find out

Uses simpler vocabulary to express the impossibility of discovering something.

is unachievable to discover

Focuses on the lack of possibility to find out something.

cannot be established

Emphasizes the inability to firmly set or prove something.

is beyond determination

Highlights that the thing is outside the limits of being decided or concluded.

is undecidable

Indicates the situation cannot be resolved or a decision reached.

defies discovery

Presents the idea of resisting or opposing the process of finding out.

eludes comprehension

Suggests the matter avoids understanding or grasping.

remains unknown

Simplifies the statement by focusing on the continuous state of not knowing.

is shrouded in obscurity

Uses a more figurative expression to imply that the fact is hidden or unclear.

FAQs

How can I use "is impossible to ascertain" in a sentence?

Use "is impossible to ascertain" to indicate that something cannot be determined, like, "The motivation behind his actions "is impossible to ascertain" due to conflicting evidence."

What are some alternatives to "is impossible to ascertain"?

Alternatives include phrases such as "cannot be determined", "is not possible to find out", or "cannot be established", depending on the specific context.

When is it appropriate to use "is impossible to ascertain"?

It's appropriate when you want to emphasize that something is fundamentally unknowable or that all methods to determine it have failed. It suggests a stronger level of uncertainty than phrases like "is difficult to determine".

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

"Is impossible to ascertain" indicates something is fundamentally unknowable, while "is difficult to ascertain" suggests it's challenging to determine but potentially achievable with more effort or resources. If the task is hard to determine you could check is difficult to ascertain