it seems impossible

USAGE SUMMARY

'it seems impossible' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when something appears to be completely out of reach or too difficult to achieve. For example, "It seems impossible to resolve this dispute without the help of a mediator."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It seems impossible.

The New York Times - Arts

It seems impossible to me.

The New Yorker

Sure, it seems impossible at the moment.

The New York Times

More than improbable, it seems impossible.

The New York Times

This year, it seems impossible.

The New York Times - Sports

"It seems impossible," he added.

The New York Times

It seems impossible right now".

The New York Times - Sports

It seems impossible to know.

The Guardian - Books

It seems impossible to say...

The New York Times - Books

At first glance it seems impossible.

The New York Times

"It seems impossible that he did this," he said.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it seems impossible", ensure that the context clearly indicates what specific outcome or goal appears unachievable. This provides clarity and prevents ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "it seems impossible" in situations where the challenge is merely difficult, not truly insurmountable. Overusing the phrase can dilute its impact and credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it seems impossible" functions as an evaluative expression, indicating a subjective assessment of a situation or task as being unachievable. As Ludwig AI highlights, this phrase is frequently used to express doubt or disbelief regarding a particular outcome.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

18%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it seems impossible" is a versatile expression used to convey a subjective sense of something being unachievable or highly unlikely. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely accepted. Predominantly found in News & Media, Science, and Academic contexts, it maintains a neutral register suitable for diverse audiences. While numerous alternatives exist, each carries a slightly different nuance. When employing this phrase, ensure clarity in specifying what appears impossible and avoid overuse in situations that are merely difficult. The numerous examples available via Ludwig underscore its widespread applicability in expressing doubt or perceived impossibility across various scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it appears unachievable

Replaces 'seems' with 'appears' and 'impossible' with 'unachievable', slightly altering the tone while maintaining the core meaning.

it feels unattainable

Substitutes 'seems' with 'feels' and 'impossible' with 'unattainable', emphasizing a subjective sense of impossibility.

it looks improbable

Replaces 'seems' and 'impossible' with 'looks' and 'improbable' respectively, indicating a lower likelihood of occurrence.

it's hardly feasible

Uses "hardly feasible" to suggest that something is unlikely to be practical or achievable.

it's virtually undoable

Employs "virtually undoable" to convey that something is practically impossible to accomplish.

it's a long shot

Expresses that something is unlikely to succeed, suggesting a low probability of success.

the odds are stacked against it

Highlights the challenging circumstances that make success difficult, implying an uphill battle.

success is out of the question

States that success is not a possibility, indicating a firm belief that something cannot be achieved.

there's no chance of that happening

Directly denies the possibility of something occurring, expressing strong disbelief.

that's just not in the cards

Indicates that something is not destined to happen, suggesting fate or circumstance prevents success.

FAQs

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

You can use "it seems impossible" to express disbelief or the perceived unachievability of something. For example, "After losing all funding, "it seems impossible" to complete the project".

What are some alternatives to "it seems impossible"?

Alternatives include "it appears unachievable", "it feels unattainable", or "it looks improbable", each offering a slightly different nuance of impossibility.

Is "it seems impossible" formal or informal?

"It seems impossible" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. The level of formality depends more on the surrounding vocabulary and sentence structure.

What's the difference between "it seems impossible" and "it is impossible"?

"It seems impossible" indicates a subjective assessment based on current perception, while "it is impossible" states an objective fact. The former leaves room for potential change, whereas the latter suggests a definitive barrier.