it was impossible that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was impossible that" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express disbelief or to indicate that a certain situation or outcome could not have occurred. Example: "It was impossible that he could have completed the marathon in under two hours without any training."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

41 human-written examples

Anna Israelyan, an eyewitness journalist, stated that "the first shots were fired directly at Vazgen Sargsyan at a distance of one to two meters" and, in her words, "it was impossible that he would have survived".

Wikipedia

I thought it was impossible that Nic would become one of them, but he did.

The New York Times - Science

But legal experts said it was impossible that in nearly 70percentt of the cases, visiting the scene was unnecessary.

The New York Times

Iraqi journalist Mazin Elias, who had worked with Sutton, told Mail Online that it was "impossible" that she killed herself.

The Guardian

I began by weakly saying that no one should be accused without proof, and that in my opinion it was impossible that Cerviño, that someone like Cerviño.

The New Yorker

He said it was impossible that Mr. Harrison could change things any more rapidly to reach efficiency levels Mr. Ackman had proposed.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

16 human-written examples

Gen Sondhi told Reuters today that "it is impossible that we will control the government..

The Guardian

"It is impossible that Fifa moves on with its current presidency," he added.

BBC

It's impossible that he can play.

Independent

It is impossible that Edward de Vere wrote Shakespeare.

The New York Times - Magazine

It's impossible that I should get a calm child.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it was impossible that" to express strong disbelief or certainty that something could not have occurred. Ensure the context clearly supports this strong assertion.

Common error

Avoid using "it was impossible that" when a situation is merely unlikely or improbable, not truly impossible. Overusing the phrase weakens its impact when genuine impossibility needs to be conveyed.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was impossible that" functions as a strong declarative statement, expressing a firm conviction that something could not have occurred or been true. This is supported by Ludwig and the examples provided.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Wiki

7%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it was impossible that" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed expression used to assert a strong conviction that something could not have happened or been true. Predominantly found in News & Media sources, it carries a neutral to formal tone and serves to convey disbelief or certainty. As highlighted by Ludwig, while correct, it should be used judiciously to maintain its impact, avoiding overuse in situations where mere improbability exists. Alternatives such as "it was inconceivable that" or "it was out of the question that" can provide a more formal tone, while "there was no way that" offers a less formal option.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was out of the question that

This alternative emphasizes that something was not even worth considering or allowing.

it was inconceivable that

This alternative highlights the idea that something was beyond comprehension or imagination.

it was unthinkable that

This alternative underscores the notion that something was morally or practically unacceptable.

it was not possible that

This is a direct and straightforward synonym, simply stating the lack of possibility.

it could not have happened that

This alternative stresses the impossibility of a past event or occurrence.

there was no chance that

This alternative highlights the absence of any probability or likelihood.

it defied all possibility that

This alternative emphasizes that an idea goes against what's possible.

it was beyond the realm of possibility that

This alternative indicates that something exceeded any potential to be real.

it was far-fetched that

This alternative points out that something is highly unlikely or difficult to believe.

it was a long shot that

This alternative implies that something had very little chance to happen.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "it was impossible that" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "it was inconceivable that" or "it was out of the question that". These alternatives maintain a high level of certainty while conveying a more sophisticated expression.

Is there a difference between "it was impossible that" and "it was unlikely that"?

Yes, "it was impossible that" indicates a complete certainty that something could not occur, whereas "it was unlikely that" suggests a low probability but does not rule out the possibility entirely. The former is a stronger statement.

When is it appropriate to use "it was impossible that" in writing?

Use "it was impossible that" when you want to express a firm conviction that something could not have happened or could not be true. Ensure the context provides sufficient evidence or logical reasoning to support this strong claim.

What are some less formal alternatives to "it was impossible that"?

Less formal alternatives include phrases like "there was no way that" or "it couldn't have been that". These options convey a similar sentiment but in a more casual manner.