it was insurmountable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was insurmountable" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a challenge or obstacle that seems impossible to overcome. Example: "Despite their best efforts, the team concluded that the budget cuts made the project it was insurmountable."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

After Clinton's string of victories on Tuesday, her campaign said her lead would be "very hard to overtake" but stopped short of saying it was insurmountable.

The Guardian

"At the end of the day, the fine was not so large that it was insurmountable," said Mr. Cummin, who added that he had not yet decided who to vote for in the Republican primary.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Its inhibition at 5-HT3A receptors is surmountable, but at 5-HT3AB receptors it is insurmountable and voltage dependent, suggesting that unlike morphine, methadone may act in the pore of heteromeric receptors (Deeb et al., 2009).

British Journal of Pharmacology

Chalmers thinks that, at present, it is insurmountable.

The New Yorker

What we have to do is really address that because it appears when we get in that position it almost seems like it is insurmountable".

The New York Times - Sports

"It's about as challenging a project as one can get in the field — but that's not to say it's insurmountable," he said.

The New York Times - Sports

The logistics of love are daunting at twelve thousand feet — Alford describes their attempt at a kiss as "two sheets of sandpaper scraping" — but not, as it were, insurmountable.

The New Yorker

"It is insurmountable," Bob Hall, a defense lawyer, said of the state's 21-day limitation for submitting new evidence after conviction.

The New York Times

Then you realize the truth, which is, it's insurmountable (MC laughs).

Huffington Post

So either the consent issue is surmountable, in which case there is no (major) consent problem for either side in the debate, or it is insurmountable, in which case it is a problem for both Public Health Pluralism and Pure Choice, but arguably more so for the latter.

Bioethics

But the draw was insurmountable.

The Guardian - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it was insurmountable", ensure that the context clearly defines what "it" refers to. This prevents ambiguity and strengthens the statement.

Common error

Avoid using "it was insurmountable" when the challenge is difficult but potentially solvable with effort. The phrase implies a definitive impossibility, so consider alternatives like "it was very challenging" if there's a chance of success.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was insurmountable" functions as a descriptive statement, characterizing a past situation or obstacle as impossible to overcome. It provides a definitive assessment of a challenge, as shown in Ludwig's examples where campaigns, projects, and tasks are deemed unachievable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it was insurmountable" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe a past situation or obstacle that was impossible to overcome. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and usability. While not extremely common, the phrase appears across various contexts, including news, media, and scientific writing. When using this phrase, ensure that the context clearly defines what "it" refers to and that the challenge is truly impossible to solve. Alternatives like "it was impossible to overcome" or "it was unachievable" can be used depending on the specific meaning you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was impossible to overcome

Uses a more direct term for impossibility.

it was unachievable

Highlights that the goal could not be reached.

it was unattainable

Emphasizes the impossibility of reaching a desired state.

it was an impossible task

Focuses on the "task" aspect being impossible.

it presented an insurmountable barrier

Highlights the idea of an obstacle or hindrance.

it was beyond our capabilities

Emphasizes the lack of ability to handle the situation.

it was not conquerable

Focuses on overcoming or defeating something.

it proved to be too difficult

A more general statement about the level of difficulty.

it was more than we could handle

Implies the situation exceeded available resources or strength.

it was a hopeless situation

Focuses on the lack of any positive outcome.

FAQs

What does "it was insurmountable" mean?

The phrase "it was insurmountable" means something was impossible to overcome or solve. It indicates a situation presented a challenge that could not be dealt with successfully.

How can I use "it was insurmountable" in a sentence?

Use "it was insurmountable" to describe a problem, obstacle, or difficulty that could not be overcome. For example: "The financial challenges facing the company meant "it was insurmountable"."

What are some alternatives to "it was insurmountable"?

Alternatives include "it was impossible to overcome", "it was an impossible task", or "it was unachievable". The best alternative will depend on the specific context.

Is "it's insurmountable" the same as "it was insurmountable"?

"It's insurmountable" means something is currently impossible to overcome, while "it was insurmountable" means something was impossible to overcome in the past. The difference lies in the timeframe: present versus past.