really not possible

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "really not possible" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to emphasize that something cannot be done or achieved, often in response to a request or suggestion. Example: "I understand your concerns, but given the current circumstances, it's really not possible to change the deadline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

28 human-written examples

Was it really not possible before?

The New York Times - Arts

It's really not possible to keep doing it.

The New York Times

Not only does he not believe that, Mr. O'Brien states, "It's really not possible".

The New York Times - Arts

NG: Is it really not possible to resolve this conflict peacefully?

The Guardian

"At this point, it's really not possible to recover the body".

The Guardian

"But more and more, scholars are understanding that is really not possible.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

32 human-written examples

It really is not possible.

Yale University

"Until that was resolved, it really was not possible for us to keep them there".

The New York Times

But everyone recognizes that the old restrictions really are not possible anymore.

The New York Times

Demobilization of the militias really is not possible until the new security institutions are able to start absorbing at least some of their cadres.

The Guardian

Really, it's not possible to design a poll to do that.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "really not possible" to clearly and emphatically state that something cannot be done or achieved, especially when addressing requests or suggestions.

Common error

Avoid using "really not possible" in highly formal or professional settings where a more sophisticated or nuanced expression of impossibility might be more appropriate. Consider using alternatives such as "entirely unfeasible" or "categorically unattainable" for a more polished tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "really not possible" functions as an adjective phrase that modifies a situation or action, indicating a strong level of impossibility. This is supported by Ludwig AI's assessment of the phrase and its common usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "really not possible" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to emphasize that something cannot be done or achieved. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is suitable for various contexts, ranging from news and media to academic discussions. While versatile, it's best to consider the tone and formality of your writing to avoid overuse in overly formal settings. Exploring alternatives like "absolutely impossible" or "completely unfeasible" can help refine your expression depending on the situation. Remember to use the phrase to clearly and emphatically communicate impossibility while being mindful of the overall tone you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

absolutely impossible

Emphasizes a stronger degree of impossibility.

completely unfeasible

Focuses on the impracticality of something.

simply not doable

Uses a more informal tone to express impossibility.

utterly unattainable

Highlights the inability to reach a certain goal or outcome.

virtually hopeless

Implies a very low probability of success or achievement.

out of the question

Indicates that something is not even worth considering.

beyond the realm of possibility

Stresses that something is not within what is conceivable.

not a chance

A colloquial way of saying something is impossible.

in no way feasible

Similar to completely unfeasible, focusing on practicality.

definitely unachievable

Emphasizes that something cannot be achieved.

FAQs

How can I use "really not possible" in a sentence?

You can use "really not possible" to express that something cannot be done or achieved. For example: "I understand your concerns, but given the current circumstances, it's "really not possible" to change the deadline."

What are some alternatives to "really not possible"?

You can use alternatives like "absolutely impossible", "completely unfeasible", or "simply not doable" depending on the context.

Is "really not possible" too informal for professional writing?

While generally acceptable, in highly formal or professional contexts, consider stronger or more nuanced alternatives like "entirely unfeasible" or "categorically unattainable".

What's the difference between "really not possible" and "impossible"?

"Really not possible" adds emphasis to the idea of something being impossible. While "impossible" states something cannot occur, "really not possible" stresses the degree of impossibility.