it is impossible to determine

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it is impossible to determine" is correct and can be used in written English.
For example, you could write: "Given the lack of evidence, it is impossible to determine the real culprit."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This constraint means that if a CNV spans multiple genes, it is impossible to determine its approximate size.

Genome Medicine

It is impossible to determine the accuracy of such estimates.

The New York Times

It is impossible to determine how many of the executives' options are exercisable at current prices.

The New York Times

It is impossible to determine how many people use or plan to use the techniques.

The New York Times

His Virgin of the Rocks includes an angel whose gender it is impossible to determine.

The Guardian - Arts

"The allegations are in such a form that it is impossible to determine their credibility.

The Guardian

It is impossible to determine whether Sherwin Straus had changed his mind.

The New York Times - Magazine

It is impossible to determine how many janjaweed there are in Darfur.

The New York Times

In general, it is impossible to determine the relative orbit during flyby only with optical information.

Acta Astronautica

Without this information, it is impossible to determine the best solution.

The Guardian

This happens, in part, because it is impossible to determine the precise position of quantum particles.

MIT Technology Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it is impossible to determine", ensure that you clearly state the reason for the impossibility. Providing context enhances the clarity and credibility of your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "it is impossible to determine" when the situation merely presents significant challenges or uncertainty. Reserve this phrase for situations where determination is genuinely and unequivocally beyond reach.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it is impossible to determine" functions as an assertion of epistemic limitation. It indicates that, given the available information or constraints, reaching a definitive conclusion is not feasible. Ludwig confirms the correct usage of this phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

38%

News & Media

38%

Academia

9%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it is impossible to determine" is a grammatically sound and widely used phrase for expressing the inability to ascertain something definitively. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is suitable for use in written English. It appears most frequently in scientific and news-related contexts. When using this phrase, it's helpful to provide context and avoid overstating the impossibility, reserving it for situations where determination is genuinely beyond reach. Alternatives include "it cannot be determined" and "it remains unknown", offering subtle variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it's not possible to ascertain

Replaces "impossible" with "not possible" and "determine" with "ascertain", indicating a lack of ability to find something out.

it cannot be determined

Changes the sentence structure to passive voice, focusing on the action rather than the actor.

it is not feasible to find out

Substitutes "impossible" with "not feasible" and "determine" with "find out", suggesting practicality issues.

it remains unknown

A shorter, more direct way of stating that something has not been discovered or established.

the answer is not knowable

Emphasizes that the answer to a question cannot be known, regardless of effort.

there's no way to know

An informal way of expressing the impossibility of determining something.

it defies determination

Implies that something actively resists being determined or understood.

the data does not allow determination

Focuses on the lack of sufficient data to reach a conclusion.

it's anybody's guess

Suggests that any attempt to determine something would be pure speculation.

we can only speculate

Indicates that without sufficient information, only speculation is possible.

FAQs

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

Use "it is impossible to determine" when you want to express that something cannot be found out or decided with certainty. For example, "Due to the conflicting evidence, "it is impossible to determine" the exact cause of the accident."

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

Alternatives include phrases like "it cannot be determined", "it remains unknown", or "there's no way to know", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it more appropriate to say "it is impossible to determine" or "it is difficult to determine"?

"It is impossible to determine" should be used when there is no way to find something out. "It is difficult to determine" is appropriate when finding something out is possible, but challenging.

What does "it defies determination" mean, and how does it differ from "it is impossible to determine"?

"It defies determination" implies that something actively resists being determined or understood. "It is impossible to determine" simply means that determination is not achievable, regardless of resistance. "It defies determination" suggests a stronger opposition to being figured out.