may prove impossible

USAGE SUMMARY

'may prove impossible' is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation where something might be very difficult or even impossible to achieve. For example: "It may prove impossible to develop a vaccine for the new strain of virus in such a short timeframe."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

For Bill Clinton, that may prove impossible.

The New York Times

Such a plan would be costly, and may prove impossible.

The Economist

For all this, much tighter seaport security may prove impossible.

The New York Times

But past experience suggests that such keyhole surgery may prove impossible.

The Economist

That said, a START-style treaty may prove impossible to negotiate.

The Economist

Getting rid of particular boondoggles such as the mortgage-interest deduction may prove impossible.

The Economist

Of course, hitting the ground running may prove impossible this time around.

The New York Times

65. (S/NF) In unfriendly countries, transportation out of the country may prove impossible or impractical.

The Guardian

But because both airlines are heavily unionised, this may prove impossible.

The Guardian - Business

Ultimately, it may prove impossible to close the borders to such bigotry.

The Guardian - Opinion

The wall is solid for now, but keeping this group together may prove impossible.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "may prove impossible" to express a degree of uncertainty about the feasibility of something, implying that it is not definitively impossible but highly unlikely or difficult. This is useful in situations where you want to avoid making absolute statements.

Common error

Avoid using "may prove impossible" when you have definitive evidence that something is, in fact, impossible. In such cases, a stronger phrase like "is impossible" is more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "may prove impossible" functions as a hedge, softening the assertion of impossibility. Ludwig confirms that it's a grammatically correct and commonly used expression. The modal verb "may" introduces uncertainty, while "prove impossible" indicates a potential outcome.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Science

22%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "may prove impossible" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to express uncertainty about the feasibility of something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for various contexts, from news reports to scientific discussions. It is important to use this phrase when there is a genuine possibility that something cannot be done, but you're not entirely certain. Remember that alternatives like "might turn out to be unfeasible" or "could become insurmountable" offer nuanced ways to express similar ideas, depending on the specific context and emphasis you want to convey. Avoiding overuse and considering the strength of your evidence will ensure you use this phrase effectively.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

might prove unachievable in practice

Highlights that the abstract is theoretically possible, but real-world conditions may prevent success.

may well be beyond reach

Focuses on the distance between the current state and the desired outcome.

may be shown to be unattainable

Highlights the lack of possibility for reaching a specific goal.

could become insurmountable

Emphasizes the scale of the difficulty, implying that it's too big to overcome.

might turn out to be unfeasible

Focuses on the feasibility aspect, suggesting that practical difficulties might arise.

might just not be viable

Highlights the lack of practicality and sustainability.

could demonstrate to be unworkable

Emphasizes the practical application and potential failure of a plan or idea.

might end up being unrealistic

Suggests that initial expectations were too high and that the outcome is doubtful.

could turn out to be a lost cause

Suggests that continuing to try would be futile and that the effort should be abandoned.

could be deemed undoable

Uses a more informal term to indicate that something cannot be done.

FAQs

How can I use "may prove impossible" in a sentence?

You can use "may prove impossible" to express uncertainty about achieving something. For example, "Reaching a consensus on this issue "may prove impossible" given the differing opinions".

What are some alternatives to "may prove impossible"?

Alternatives include "might turn out to be unfeasible", "could become insurmountable", or "may be shown to be unattainable", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When should I use "may prove impossible" instead of "is impossible"?

Use "may prove impossible" when there is still a chance, however slim, that something could be achieved. "Is impossible" suggests there is no chance of success.

What is the difference between "may prove impossible" and "may be difficult"?

"May prove impossible" suggests a higher degree of difficulty, bordering on unachievability. "May be difficult" implies challenges but does not necessarily suggest impossibility. The first indicates that completing the task is unlikely, while the second simply means it will require effort.