it feels impossible

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it feels impossible" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It can be used in various contexts to convey the feeling that something is difficult or unlikely to be accomplished. Here are a few examples: 1. "I'm trying my best to finish this project, but it feels impossible to meet the deadline." 2. "After years of hard work, finally getting into my dream college felt impossible." 3. "Our team was down by 10 points with only a minute left, but we never gave up because giving up just felt impossible." 4. "With so much uncertainty and chaos in the world right now, finding a sense of normalcy feels impossible." 5. "I know quitting smoking is the right thing to do, but it just feels impossible to kick the habit."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

You reach a point where it feels impossible to survive another day.

The New York Times

I only ever felt able to go out with my husband and now it feels impossible.

The Guardian - Opinion

But it feels impossible to talk about this: it is beyond the paintings themselves.

The Guardian - Arts

"It feels impossible right now to pay off our bills," said Michelle Spurlock, 28, her voice breaking.

The New York Times

To Molly and me, our children are so completely ours it feels impossible that anyone else had anything to do with them.

The New York Times - Magazine

Part of the explanation is that parliamentary rebellion, rather like adultery, is habit-forming: at first it feels impossible, then transgressive and finally mundane.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

Increasingly, we spent more and more time alone in our apartment, canceling plans with friends and colleagues, to whom it felt impossible to explain what was going on.

The New York Times

But trying to leave at 6pm when your boss sets you a huge task at 5.50pm can make it feel impossible.

The Guardian

And though we - her family and friends - had heard it was terminal, we had carried on with our lives during the following week because it felt impossible to accept.

Independent

The understanding had been that after Ishii joined us I could interview them together, but they seemed to be operating on such different premises that, for a moment, it felt impossible to address even one sentence to them both.

The New Yorker

It felt impossible they'd have an understanding of our culture".

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it feels impossible" to express a subjective feeling of something being very difficult or unattainable. Be sure to pair it with a clear description of what "it" refers to for clarity.

Common error

While acceptable, "it feels impossible" can sometimes sound informal. In formal contexts, consider using more direct and objective alternatives such as "it is highly improbable" or "it presents significant challenges".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it feels impossible" functions as an evaluative statement, expressing a subjective perception of extreme difficulty. It modifies an implied or stated action or situation, indicating that achieving a certain outcome seems beyond reach. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Wiki

12%

Science

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Academia

4%

Encyclopedias

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it feels impossible" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to express a subjective feeling of extreme difficulty or unattainability. As noted by Ludwig AI, it appears frequently in various contexts, especially in News & Media, indicating its broad applicability. While generally neutral in register, consider more formal alternatives in professional settings. When using this phrase, ensure the context is clear, and you're accurately conveying the feeling of insurmountable difficulty. Related phrases like "it seems unattainable" can provide alternative ways to express this sentiment. Ultimately, understanding the nuances of this phrase allows for more effective and nuanced communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it is virtually impossible

Adds "virtually" to emphasize the near impossibility of the situation.

it feels insurmountable

Replaces "impossible" with "insurmountable", highlighting the overwhelming nature of the difficulty.

it appears unachievable

Substitutes "feels" with "appears" and "impossible" with "unachievable", focusing on the appearance of impossibility.

it feels unfeasible

Replaces "impossible" with "unfeasible", suggesting that something is not practical or realistic.

it seems unattainable

Replaces the feeling with a statement of something not being attainable.

it feels undoable

A more informal way of saying that something cannot be done.

it feels like a lost cause

Conveys a sense of hopelessness and futility regarding a particular situation.

it seems beyond reach

Expresses the idea that something is not within one's capabilities or possibilities.

it feels unrealistic

Shifts the focus to the lack of realism associated with a situation or goal.

it feels out of the question

Indicates that something is not a viable option or possibility.

FAQs

What does "it feels impossible" mean?

The phrase "it feels impossible" expresses a strong sense of difficulty or the belief that something cannot be achieved. It conveys a subjective feeling of improbability or insurmountability.

How can I use "it feels impossible" in a sentence?

You can use "it feels impossible" to describe a situation, task, or goal that seems very difficult to achieve. For example, "After losing my job, paying the bills "it feels impossible"."

What are some alternatives to "it feels impossible"?

Alternatives include "it seems unattainable", "it appears unachievable", or "it is virtually impossible", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "it feels impossible" too informal for professional writing?

While generally acceptable, "it feels impossible" might be considered less formal. For professional contexts, you could use alternatives that sound more objective, such as "it presents significant challenges" or "it is highly improbable".