make it impossible for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase ‘make it impossible for’ is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to denote that a given situation or activity cannot take place. For example: “The new regulations make it impossible for us to complete the project on time.”.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That will make it impossible for Greece to earn its way out of debt.

The New York Times

That will make it impossible for the country to earn its way out of debt.

The New York Times

"Such circumstances make it impossible for the mission to maintain its normal functions," it said.

The Guardian

In effect, this would make it impossible for Catalonia to enter the EU.

Columbia University

It can, for example, make it impossible for a company to get financing.

The Economist

EVEN if we could make it impossible for people to commit crimes, should we?

The New York Times

We make it impossible for our investors and analysts to understand what is going on".

The Economist

That could make it impossible for governments to restructure their debt and escape default.

The New Yorker

Water on the screen can make it impossible for the phone to detect your touch.

The New York Times - Tech

That can make it impossible for them to be objective when they have to adjudicate.

The Economist

These rules make it impossible for mills to compete, says Mr Cortina.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "make it impossible for", ensure the subject clearly indicates what is being prevented or rendered unachievable. Clarity enhances the sentence's impact and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "make it impossible for" can sound overly formal in casual conversation. Consider using more relaxed alternatives like "stop" or "prevent" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "make it impossible for" functions as a causative expression, indicating that something causes a particular action or event to be completely unachievable. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

74%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "make it impossible for" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression that indicates a definitive constraint or prevention. As Ludwig AI confirms, this expression objective is useful to express unfeasibility. Predominantly found in neutral contexts, such as News & Media, it suits formal communications effectively. Remember to consider the level of formality required by the context and look for alternatives when needed. It is important to ensure clarity in your sentence to emphasize its impact and avoid any ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

preclude someone from

Emphasizes prevention by ruling something out entirely.

render it unfeasible for

Highlights the lack of practicality or viability.

rule out the possibility for

Focuses on eliminating any chance of something happening.

thwart someone's ability to

Stresses the obstruction of someone's capability.

block someone from being able to

Implies a direct obstacle preventing action.

disable someone to

Suggests a loss of capability to complete an action.

forestall any chance for

Highlights acting in advance to prevent something.

nullify the option for

Emphasizes the cancellation or invalidation of a possibility.

obviate the potential for

Highlights the removal of any need or opportunity for something.

impede someone's capacity to

Stresses hindering someone's inherent capability.

FAQs

How can I use "make it impossible for" in a sentence?

Use "make it impossible for" to describe a situation or action that completely prevents something else from occurring. For example, "The heavy rain "made it impossible for" the game to continue".

What are some alternatives to "make it impossible for"?

Alternatives include "preclude from", "render unfeasible", or "rule out". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired level of formality.

Is "make it impossible for" formal or informal?

The phrase "make it impossible for" tends to lean towards the formal side, but it's appropriate in many types of writing and speech. Choose alternatives if you need to be less formal.

What's the difference between "make it difficult for" and "make it impossible for"?

"Make it difficult for" indicates something is harder to do, but still achievable. "Make it impossible for", on the other hand, means something cannot be done at all. The first one expresses an action in course of completion, the second the action is totally blocked.