it was not possible

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of the sentence "it was not possible" is correct and can be used in written English.
This sentence can be used to describe something that could not be achieved. For example: "I wanted to finish all the work by the end of the day, but it was not possible."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But it was not possible.

The New York Times

Still, it was not possible.

The Guardian

It was not possible to act otherwise.

The New York Times

At that time, it was not possible.

The New York Times

It was not possible in the timeframe".

The Guardian - TV & Radio

It was not possible to independently confirm the reports.

The Washington Post

It was not possible to verify the protest independently.

The Guardian

It was not possible then; it is now.

The Guardian - Opinion

It was not possible to verify when they were filmed.

The Guardian

It was not possible to contact Ratzinger for a comment.

The Guardian

It was not possible to verify the military's claim.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it was not possible", ensure that the reason for the impossibility is clear from the context or explicitly stated. This adds clarity and prevents ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "it was not possible" without explaining why it wasn't possible. This can leave the reader confused or needing more information. Provide context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was not possible" functions as a declarative statement expressing the inability to perform an action or achieve a certain outcome. Ludwig's examples illustrate its use in various contexts, from verifying claims to assessing the feasibility of actions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it was not possible" is a common phrase used to express the inability to achieve something, as validated by Ludwig's analysis. It's grammatically correct and widely used across diverse contexts, particularly in news, science, and formal settings. The key to using this phrase effectively is to ensure the reason for the impossibility is clear. As indicated by Ludwig, the phrase functions to convey impossibility, with a neutral register suitable for various situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was unfeasible

Replaces 'possible' with 'unfeasible', emphasizing the impracticality of the action.

it was unachievable

Focuses on the inability to achieve a specific goal or outcome.

it could not be done

A more direct and simpler way of stating the impossibility.

it was out of the question

Indicates that something was not even considered as a viable option.

it was not viable

Highlights the lack of practicality or sustainability.

it proved impossible

Emphasizes the result of trying and failing.

it was unattainable

Stresses the impossibility of reaching a certain objective.

it was beyond reach

Suggests that the goal was too distant or difficult to achieve.

circumstances prevented it

Attributes the impossibility to external factors or conditions.

resources did not allow it

Specifies a lack of resources as the cause of impossibility.

FAQs

How can I use "it was not possible" in a sentence?

Use "it was not possible" to describe a situation where something could not be done or achieved. For example, "Due to the heavy rain, "it was not possible" to continue the game."

What are some alternatives to "it was not possible"?

Alternatives include "it was impossible", "it was unfeasible", or "it could not be done". The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "it was not possible" the same as "it is not possible"?

"It was not possible" refers to a past situation, while "it is not possible" refers to a present or future situation. For example, "Yesterday, "it was not possible" to enter the building", versus "Right now, "it is not possible" to enter the building."

What's the difference between "it was not possible" and "it was possible"?

"It was not possible" indicates that something could not be achieved, while "it was possible" indicates that something could be achieved. They are opposites.