it appeared impossible

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it appeared impossible" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing a situation or task that seemed unachievable or beyond reach at a certain point in time. Example: "At first, it appeared impossible to complete the project within the deadline, but we managed to pull it off."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

In one large, firmly wedged section of collapsed floor, it appeared impossible to discern if anyone was trapped underneath, and difficult to imagine that anyone could have survived the impact.

The New York Times

As dusk fell, it appeared impossible to reach the objective or even hold the ground already gained, and the company was ordered to withdraw.

Wikipedia

In several countries it appeared impossible to include 36 practices.

BMC Family Practice

In two countries it appeared impossible to select patients based on coded diagnoses.

BMC Family Practice

As it did not occur that more than two studies used both the same outcome type and the same age categories, it appeared impossible to run a meta-analysis on more than two studies.

BMC Veterinary Research

While the data quality concerns are currently dealt with by offering a mix of services (interviewer training, protocols, logistic support, data quality control tools), it appeared impossible to find an unambiguous solution for assessing the values of states that are considered worse than dead.

European Journal of Health Economics

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Looking at the reaction to his new album, it appears impossible to conclude that Simon's best days are behind him.

The Guardian - Music

Since no play exists without a situation, it appears impossible to detach the idea of a character from the situation in which he is placed, though it may seem possible after the experience of the whole play.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Part of the family's frustration, Mr. Shuster said — and one reason the lawsuit requests a Hungarian inventory — is that it appears impossible to know just how much art is actually missing.

The New York Times - Arts

The Economiste Francais looks forward to seeing both enterprises carried out, in which case it appears impossible to calculate beforehand which of the two lines may obtain the principal part of the traffic.

The Economist

Still, he concedes that, for now at least, the debate over terroir is unsolvable: "It appears impossible to separate, with any scientific precision, the characteristics of wine derived from nature and those derived from the winemaking process".

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it appeared impossible" to describe situations where the difficulty was evident at first glance, but not necessarily definitively unsolvable. It suggests an initial perception of impossibility that might later be overcome.

Common error

Avoid using "it appeared impossible" when the situation was merely very difficult or challenging. "Impossible" implies a definitive barrier, so reserve this phrase for circumstances that genuinely seemed unachievable based on initial assessment.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it appeared impossible" functions as an evaluative statement, describing a situation or task that seemed unachievable at a certain point in time. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is usable in written English. It conveys a subjective perception of impossibility.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

41%

News & Media

35%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

6%

Formal & Business

6%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it appeared impossible" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase to describe situations that initially seemed unachievable. Ludwig AI analysis indicates the phrase is most commonly found in scientific and news contexts, suggesting a neutral register. The phrase functions as an evaluative statement, expressing a subjective perception of impossibility. While not as frequent as simpler alternatives, "it appeared impossible" is suitable for describing circumstances where the difficulty was evident at first glance but not definitively unsolvable. When using this phrase, consider alternatives like "it looked unachievable" for a more casual tone or "it presented as infeasible" for a more formal one.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it looked unachievable

Changes the verb from "appeared" to "looked" and replaces "impossible" with "unachievable", offering a slightly more informal tone.

it seemed insurmountable

Replaces "impossible" with "insurmountable", suggesting that the challenge seemed too great to overcome.

it presented as infeasible

Uses "presented as" instead of "appeared" and substitutes "impossible" with "infeasible", making it sound more formal and technical.

it was seemingly unattainable

Replaces "appeared" with "was seemingly" and "impossible" with "unattainable", emphasizing the perceived lack of access or achievement.

it felt unviable

Substitutes "appeared" with "felt" and "impossible" with "unviable", implying a subjective assessment of the lack of practicality.

it struck as undoable

Uses "struck as" instead of "appeared" and replaces "impossible" with "undoable", providing a more colloquial expression.

it shaped up as hopeless

Changes the verb to "shaped up as" and replaces "impossible" with "hopeless", indicating a pessimistic outlook on the situation.

it emerged as unrealistic

Replaces "appeared" with "emerged as" and substitutes "impossible" with "unrealistic", focusing on the lack of practical possibility.

it proved unworkable

Changes "appeared" to "proved" showing a result and replace "impossible" to "unworkable".

it was considered beyond reach

Expresses the idea using a passive construction, indicating that others deemed it unattainable.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "it appeared impossible" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "it presented as infeasible" or "it was deemed unattainable". These options provide a more sophisticated and less colloquial feel.

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

Use "it appeared impossible" when describing a situation that, at first assessment, seemed unachievable or insurmountable, but without definitively stating that it was actually impossible. This phrasing suggests an initial perception that may or may not align with the final outcome.

What's a more casual alternative to "it appeared impossible"?

More casual alternatives include "it looked unachievable" or "it seemed undoable". These options convey the same meaning but in a more relaxed, conversational manner.

How does "it appeared impossible" differ from "it was impossible"?

"It appeared impossible" suggests a perceived impossibility based on initial information, which might later be proven wrong. "It was impossible", on the other hand, states a definitive fact, implying that the task was truly unachievable regardless of perception.