it is impossible to justify

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it is impossible to justify" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing that a particular action, decision, or situation cannot be defended or explained rationally. Example: "Given the evidence presented, it is impossible to justify the company's decision to cut funding for the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

It is impossible to justify continued inaction: The problem and its solution are both straightforward.

The Washington Post

In a post-cold-war world it is impossible to justify the need for thousands of weapons.

The New York Times

It is impossible to justify this as a serious exercise of the preferential option for the poor.

The Guardian - Opinion

Stephen Glaister, a transport economist from Imperial College, says that it is impossible to justify this scale of rail investment in terms of efficiency or equity.Why this obsession with rail at the expense of roads?

The Economist

The leadership has put the brakes on the abolition of tuition fees because Clegg believes it is impossible to justify the £12.5bn costs of the policy over the lifetime of a parliament while Britain is struggling with a fiscal deficit.

The Guardian

"At a time when the African continent is struggling to ensure that there is accountability for serious human rights violations and abuses, it is impossible to justify this decision, which undermines the integrity of the African court of justice and human rights, even before it becomes operational," said the organisation's Africa director, Netsanet Belay.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

"It's impossible to justify this money in terms of a defined system of justice.

The New York Times - Magazine

Glenys Stacey, chief executive of Ofqual, recently said it was impossible to justify year-on-year grade inflation in A-level results.

The Guardian

The rapid expansion of the order's membership had created a need for settled monastic houses, but it was impossible to justify these if Francis' rule of complete poverty was followed strictly.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Dr. Steven E. Hyman, a former director of the National Institute of Mental Health, said it was impossible to justify insurance discrimination when an overwhelming body of scientific evidence showed that "mental illnesses represent real diseases of the brain".

The New York Times

Although Rubio said it was "impossible to justify" Trump's offensive comments, he did not withdraw his endorsement.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it is impossible to justify", ensure that you clearly state what you believe cannot be justified and provide context for why this is the case. This strengthens your argument and enhances clarity for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "it is impossible to justify" when a weaker phrase like "difficult to justify" would be more accurate. Overstating your claim can weaken your argument if it is easily challenged.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it is impossible to justify" functions as a declarative statement expressing a strong negative judgment about the defensibility or rationality of something. It asserts that no reasonable explanation or excuse can be provided. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is a correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

33%

Encyclopedias

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it is impossible to justify" is a grammatically correct and usable expression for stating that something cannot be defended or rationally explained. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. While it appears most frequently in news and media contexts, its neutral register allows for use in various settings. Related phrases, such as "it cannot be justified" or "it's unjustifiable", offer alternative ways to convey the same meaning with slightly different emphasis. When using the phrase, ensure you provide clear context and avoid overstating your claim to maintain credibility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it cannot be justified

Changes from an active to a passive construction, focusing on the action rather than the actor.

it's unjustifiable

Uses a single adjective to replace the longer phrase, making it more concise.

it is indefensible

Replaces "justify" with "defensible", emphasizing the lack of ability to defend something.

there's no justification for it

Shifts the focus to the absence of justification itself.

it defies justification

Emphasizes that the concept goes against any attempt to justify it.

it's beyond justification

Highlights that something is outside the realm of being justifiable.

it is unwarranted

Indicates that something lacks sufficient reason or authorization.

it is illegitimate

Suggests a lack of legal or moral basis.

it is unsustainable

Focuses on the inability to maintain or support something over time.

it is untenable

Emphasizes that something cannot be maintained or defended against attack or objection.

FAQs

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

Use "it is impossible to justify" to express that something cannot be defended or explained reasonably. For example, "Given the evidence, "it is impossible to justify" the decision."

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

Alternatives include "it cannot be justified", "it's unjustifiable", or "it is indefensible". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is "it is impossible to justify" too strong of a statement?

The strength of the statement depends on the context. If you have strong evidence, "it is impossible to justify" is appropriate. If the situation is more ambiguous, a phrase like "difficult to justify" might be more suitable.

What's the difference between "it is impossible to justify" and "it is hard to justify"?

"It is impossible to justify" indicates a complete lack of rational defense, while "it is hard to justify" suggests that some justification might exist, but it is difficult to find or accept.