it is impossible to assess

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it is impossible to assess" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing situations or conditions where evaluation or judgment cannot be made due to various factors. Example: "Given the lack of data and the unpredictable nature of the variables involved, it is impossible to assess the potential outcomes of the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But its report says "it is impossible to assess the risk, if any of such exposures" to the cocktail of chemicals we all encounter.

BBC

On present evidence, it is impossible to assess the risk, if any, of such exposures.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

But it is impossible to assess what damages, if any, might ensue from government investigations.

The New York Times

Standing in the back of classrooms for, maybe, six minutes each, it is impossible to assess the teachers' success.

The New York Times

It is impossible to assess Washington's career without stumbling over the words "unity" and "unanimity" at every turn.

The New York Times

The music is so bound to the libretto, visuals, choreography and special effects that it is impossible to assess the quality of Mr. Wallace's score on its own.

The New York Times - Arts

It is impossible to assess how the SDLP would have fared if Fitt and Hume had continued to work in it.

The Guardian

It is impossible to assess immediately the full consequences of the recommendations made by the experts, two of the most respected engineering minds in the nation.

The New York Times

It is impossible to assess how the SDLP would have fared if Gerry and Hume had continued to work in it.

The Guardian

It is impossible to assess the impact of European Union aid, which means Britain cannot effectively oversee its contribution to Europe's spending, according to the UK aid watchdog.

The Guardian

Many people who were interviewed for the report requested anonymity, so it is impossible to assess specific charges of unethical or flawed practices.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "it is impossible to assess", clearly state the reason why assessment is not possible. This adds clarity and strengthens your argument. For example, "It is impossible to assess the long-term effects due to lack of longitudinal data."

Common error

Avoid using "it is impossible to assess" when assessment is merely difficult or challenging, not truly impossible. Use stronger alternatives when some evaluation is possible, or qualify the "impossible" claim if the assessment is limited by specific factors.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it is impossible to assess" functions as an evaluative statement, expressing a definitive inability to evaluate or judge something. Ludwig AI indicates that this phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used. It is used to acknowledge limitations in knowledge or methodology.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

41%

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it is impossible to assess" is a grammatically correct and very common expression used to indicate the inability to evaluate or judge something due to limitations in data, methodology, or resources. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and widespread use across various contexts, particularly in news, media, and science. When using this phrase, it's important to clearly state the reasons for the impossibility and avoid overstating the claim when assessment is merely difficult, not entirely unfeasible. Alternative phrases like "it is not possible to evaluate" or "assessing is unfeasible" can be used depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it's not possible to evaluate

Replaces "impossible to assess" with "not possible to evaluate", maintaining a similar level of formality and meaning.

assessing is unfeasible

Changes the sentence structure to focus on the unfeasibility of the assessment itself.

evaluation cannot be done

Uses a more direct and passive construction to express the inability to evaluate.

there's no way to determine

Emphasizes the lack of a method for determining something, rather than a direct inability to assess.

the risk is unquantifiable

Focuses on the inability to quantify a risk, implying that assessment is not possible.

no judgment can be made

Highlights the inability to form a judgment due to a lack of information or other factors.

an estimate cannot be obtained

Focuses on the impossibility of obtaining an estimate, suggesting that assessment is not feasible.

it remains unmeasurable

Highlights that no measurement is possible.

cannot draw conclusions

Focuses on the inability to form conclusions due to lack of information.

is beyond comprehension

Indicates that the concept is not understandable or assessable.

FAQs

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

Use "it is impossible to assess" when you want to express that something cannot be evaluated or judged due to a lack of information, resources, or other limitations. For example, "It is impossible to assess the damage without a thorough inspection."

What are some alternatives to "it is impossible to assess"?

You can use alternatives such as "it is not possible to evaluate", "assessing is unfeasible", or "evaluation cannot be done" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "it is difficult to assess" or "it is impossible to assess"?

Use "it is difficult to assess" when evaluation is challenging but feasible with effort or resources. Use "it is impossible to assess" only when evaluation is truly not possible under any circumstances. The former implies a challenge, while the latter implies a complete barrier.

What makes something "impossible to assess"?

Something becomes "impossible to assess" when there's a fundamental lack of data, when the variables are too complex or unpredictable, or when the necessary tools or methods for evaluation are unavailable. For example, it may be "impossible to assess" the impact of a policy change if there is no baseline data to compare against.