it is not possible that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it is not possible that" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express impossibility or to indicate that a certain situation cannot occur. Example: "Given the evidence presented, it is not possible that the event happened as described."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The first principle, "it is not possible that the same thing simultaneously be and not be," involves them all.

Cornell University

Necessity and possibility are interdefinable, \(P\) is necessary when it is not possible that not-\(P\).

SEP

It is not possible that players are disrespected like that.

The Guardian - Sport

Then it is not possible that any simple body should be outside the heaven.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

"It is not possible that President Trump got favors from Chinese government," she added.

The Washington Post

"It is not possible that this is a true expression of people's opinion," she said.

The New York Times - Magazine

Now, it is not possible that he should follow what appears right to you, but what appears so to himself.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

"It is not possible that production and administration in Ultimo could be less expensive than in Adelaide," he wrote.

The Guardian

"It is not possible that any State should long remain free, where virtue is not supremely honored".

The New York Times - Books

"For Syria to remain unified, it is not possible that Assad presides over that entire process," Obama said.

Independent

Because no further strains were added during the fermentation process, it is not possible that the number of strains present in the must increases.

Nature

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it is not possible that" to express a firm conviction that something cannot occur or be true. It is often used in formal writing or when making a strong statement.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "it is not possible that" can sound overly formal or stiff in casual conversation. Opt for simpler alternatives like "that can't be" or "no way" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it is not possible that" functions as a modal expression, specifically indicating impossibility. According to Ludwig, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. Examples across diverse sources demonstrate its use in stating something cannot occur or be true.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Science

36%

Academia

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it is not possible that" is a versatile phrase used to express impossibility or a strong conviction that something cannot be true. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and usability across various contexts. It's commonly found in news, scientific, and academic sources, indicating a neutral to formal register. While effective for making strong assertions, consider more casual alternatives in informal settings to maintain a natural tone. The phrase is very common with multiple authoritative sources that can be useful when writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it cannot be that

This alternative uses "cannot" to express impossibility directly. It's a stronger and more direct statement.

it's impossible that

This is a more concise and emphatic way to state impossibility, replacing "is not possible" with "is impossible".

it's not conceivable that

This alternative focuses on the lack of imaginability or believability of a scenario.

there's no way that

This option offers an informal way to say something is impossible, emphasizing a lack of possibility.

that's out of the question

This alternative expresses impossibility by stating something is not worth considering.

that's highly unlikely

This alternative directly states that something is improbable or not likely to occur.

it's highly improbable that

This phrase shifts the focus to probability, suggesting a low chance of something happening.

the chances of that are slim

This idiom suggests something is unlikely, using "slim" to express a low probability.

it defies logic that

This option indicates that a scenario goes against reason or logical understanding.

it stands to reason that... not

An idiom that conveys that something is illogical or unreasonable.

FAQs

What does "it is not possible that" mean?

The phrase "it is not possible that" indicates that something is impossible or cannot occur. It expresses a strong sense of impossibility or certainty that something is not the case.

How to use "it is not possible that" in a sentence?

You can use "it is not possible that" to express disbelief, denial, or a strong conviction about something that cannot happen. For example, "it is not possible that he didn't know about the meeting."

What can I say instead of "it is not possible that"?

You can use alternatives like "it cannot be that", "it's impossible that", or "there's no way that" depending on the context.

Is "it is not possible that" formal?

Yes, the phrase "it is not possible that" is generally considered more formal. In informal settings, phrases like "no way" or "that can't be" are often preferred.