it seemed impossible

USAGE SUMMARY

"it seemed impossible" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe something that appears to be highly unlikely to be achieved or accomplished, or to emphasize the sense that something is difficult to imagine. For example, "It seemed impossible that we could raise enough money for the charity in such a short time, but we did it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

It seemed impossible, he said.

The New York Times - Magazine

It seemed impossible that he would play.

The New Yorker

Besides, it seemed impossible to imagine.

The New Yorker

It seemed impossible to explain".

The New York Times

Now it seemed impossible to win 11 tricks.

The New York Times

Even now it seemed impossible we'd go through.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

It seems impossible.

The New York Times - Arts

It seems impossible to me.

The New Yorker

This year, it seems impossible.

The New York Times - Sports

Sure, it seems impossible at the moment.

The New York Times

More than improbable, it seems impossible.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it seemed impossible" to create dramatic tension in your writing, highlighting the unexpected success or resolution of a challenging situation.

Common error

Avoid using "it seemed impossible" excessively in a narrative, as it can diminish the impact of actual impossible events and make the writing seem repetitive.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it seemed impossible" functions as a descriptive statement expressing a perception of improbability or unfeasibility. As Ludwig AI explains, it conveys that something appeared highly unlikely to be achieved. The examples from Ludwig show its use in various contexts to highlight challenges and unexpected outcomes.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

18%

Science

17%

Less common in

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it seemed impossible" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to describe situations that appeared highly improbable or unattainable. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage and versatility across various contexts. Its presence is commonly found in news and media, academic writing, and scientific discourse. When considering alternatives, phrases like "it appeared unachievable" or "it looked insurmountable" can provide nuanced variations, but "it seemed impossible" remains a robust and widely understood choice for expressing a sense of initial unlikelihood.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it appeared unachievable

Replaces "seemed impossible" with "appeared unachievable", emphasizing the visual impression of being beyond reach. Slight shift to less common vocabulary.

it looked insurmountable

Substitutes "seemed impossible" with "looked insurmountable", highlighting the perception of challenges that cannot be overcome.

it felt unattainable

Changes "seemed impossible" to "felt unattainable", focusing on the subjective feeling of being out of reach. Introduces an emotional element.

it was deemed unfeasible

Replaces "seemed impossible" with "was deemed unfeasible", indicating a judgment of impracticality. More formal tone.

it was considered hopeless

Swaps "seemed impossible" for "was considered hopeless", emphasizing a lack of optimism or expectation of success. Shifts from impossibility to futility.

it proved unworkable

Changes "seemed impossible" to "proved unworkable", suggesting that attempts to make it work have failed. Focuses on practical results.

it defied belief

Replaces "seemed impossible" with "defied belief", conveying that it was hard to accept or believe. Emphasizes incredulity.

it beggared imagination

Substitutes "seemed impossible" with "beggared imagination", implying that it was beyond what one could imagine or conceive. More literary and figurative.

it was beyond the realm of possibility

Expands on "seemed impossible" to specify "beyond the realm of possibility", clarifying the extent of impossibility. More verbose and emphatic.

it struck one as unimaginable

Changes "seemed impossible" to "struck one as unimaginable", emphasizing the feeling of something being beyond comprehension. Introduces a personal perspective.

FAQs

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

You can use "it seemed impossible" to describe a situation that appeared highly unlikely to succeed or be achievable. For example, "It seemed impossible that we would finish the project on time, but we managed to pull it off".

What are some alternatives to "it seemed impossible"?

Some alternatives include "it appeared unachievable", "it looked insurmountable", or "it felt unattainable", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "it seemed impossible" formal or informal?

"It seemed impossible" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. Its appropriateness largely depends on the surrounding language and the overall tone of the writing.

What's the difference between "it seemed impossible" and "it was impossible"?

"It seemed impossible" implies a subjective perception of impossibility at a certain point in time, whereas "it was impossible" states an objective fact. The former leaves room for the possibility of success despite initial appearances, while the latter suggests a definitive lack of feasibility.