materially impossible

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "materially impossible" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where something cannot be achieved or accomplished due to significant obstacles or constraints. Example: "The project was deemed materially impossible due to the lack of necessary resources and time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

"In fact, it is materially impossible".

The New York Times

For one thing, the new Coal and Steel Community would make any future war between Germany and France "not merely unthinkable, but materially impossible".

The New York Times - Magazine

"It's materially impossible to judge all those who participated in the massacres, and politically it's no good, even though it's just," Tito Rutaremara, an R.P.F.

The New Yorker

Which made sense, right up until that moment when I realized that it was quickly becoming materially impossible for me to be there, on the ground that the remains of my friend would be lowered into.

The New Yorker

It was a visionary idea: by ceding some of their national sovereignty in a precisely defined era, pooling their resources and using them more efficiently (the reasoning went) war would become, in Schuman's words, "not only unthinkable but materially impossible".

The Guardian

He declared his aim was to "make war not only unthinkable but materially impossible" which was to be achieved by regional integration, of which the ECSC was the first step.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

The SEC called the proxy materials materially false and misleading.

Forbes

Frankly, I've been surprised by what we've achieved in less than a year even when what I have felt called to do seems impossible and have little to nothing materially to gain.

Huffington Post

But there have been growing calls for compensation, even though the company said on Saturday that the amount of information was "materially lower" than first feared and claimed it would be impossible for customers to lose money solely as a result of the attack.

The Guardian - Business

TalkTalk said on Saturday that the amount of information was "materially lower" than first feared and insisted that it would be impossible for customers to lose any money solely as a result of the cyber-attack.

The Guardian - Business

The company said on Saturday that the amount of information was "materially lower" than first feared and insisted that it would be impossible for customers to lose any money solely as a result of last Wednesday's cyber-attack.

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "materially impossible" when you want to emphasize that something is not just unlikely, but fundamentally prevented by practical or material constraints. It adds a sense of concrete impossibility.

Common error

Avoid using "materially impossible" when the situation is merely highly improbable or difficult. The phrase suggests a definitive barrier, not just a challenge.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "materially impossible" functions as an adjective phrase that modifies a noun or pronoun, indicating that the subject is not achievable due to concrete, practical limitations. This aligns with Ludwig AI's assessment of the phrase and is supported by examples where it describes situations that cannot occur due to real-world constraints.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

29%

Science

21%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "materially impossible" is a grammatically sound adjective phrase used to express that something is unachievable due to concrete, practical constraints. As affirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase is correct and suitable for use in various contexts, with a prevalence in news, media, and scientific writing. While not as frequent as simpler terms like "impossible", it provides a more specific and emphatic way to convey impossibility, particularly when physical or resource-based limitations are the primary factors. When using this phrase, ensure that the situation genuinely warrants such a strong claim of impossibility and that there are tangible, real-world limitations in place.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

realistically impossible

Adds a realistic perspective to the impossibility.

effectively impossible

Focuses on the practical outcome being the same as impossibility.

in effect impossible

Similar to 'effectively impossible', stressing the ultimate result.

utterly unachievable

Emphasizes the complete lack of possibility for achievement.

virtually unachievable

Indicates that something is so close to impossible it might as well be.

wholly unattainable

Highlights the inability to reach or obtain something.

completely unfeasible

Focuses on the impracticality and lack of viability.

entirely out of the question

Indicates something is not to be considered or allowed.

absolutely insurmountable

Stresses the presence of obstacles that cannot be overcome.

patently unworkable

Highlights that something is obviously not capable of being done successfully.

FAQs

How can I use "materially impossible" in a sentence?

The phrase "materially impossible" indicates that something cannot be achieved due to practical or fundamental constraints. For example: "Building a bridge across that chasm is "materially impossible" with current technology."

What are some alternatives to "materially impossible"?

You can use phrases such as "utterly unachievable", "completely unfeasible", or "realistically impossible" to express similar levels of impossibility, depending on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "materially impossible" in formal writing?

Yes, "materially impossible" is suitable for formal writing, particularly when describing constraints in projects, plans, or theoretical scenarios. However, ensure the context genuinely warrants such a strong declaration of impossibility.

What's the difference between "impossible" and "materially impossible"?

"Impossible" generally means something cannot occur, while "materially impossible" specifies that the impossibility stems from concrete, practical factors. "Materially impossible" suggests a constraint based on resources, physical laws, or tangible limitations, while "impossible" might refer to other types of constraints, like logical impossibilities.