seems impossible

USAGE SUMMARY

'seems impossible' is a perfectly correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to express the idea that something appears to be highly unlikely or difficult to achieve. For example, "Finding a solution to this problem seems impossible."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

Healing seems impossible with this inherent fear.

HuffPost

This still seems impossible.

The Economist

It seems impossible.

The New York Times - Arts

The conflict seems impossible.

Stanford University

It seems impossible to me.

The New Yorker

This seems impossible.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

"Life can seem impossible.

The New York Times

This seemed impossible.

The New Yorker

But the odds seem impossible.

The New York Times - Books

Hope seemed impossible; progress, unattainable.

The New York Times

It seemed impossible, he said.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "seems impossible" to express a strong sense of doubt or difficulty, but acknowledge that unexpected outcomes can still occur. Avoid overuse in formal documents where a more objective tone is preferred.

Common error

Be mindful of overusing "seems impossible" when a situation is simply difficult but not definitively unachievable. Consider alternatives like "highly unlikely" or "very challenging" to convey a more nuanced perspective.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "seems impossible" functions as a qualifying statement, expressing a strong perception or belief that something is highly unlikely or unachievable. It doesn't definitively declare impossibility but rather emphasizes the apparent insurmountable difficulty, as demonstrated in many examples from Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

15%

Science

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "seems impossible" is a commonly used expression to convey a strong sense of doubt or perceived unachievability. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and appears across various sources like News & Media, Academia, and Science. While offering a strong statement about the likelihood of a particular outcome, it is important to avoid overstatement, and to consider alternatives when a situation is only very challenging rather than definitively unachievable. "Seems impossible" presents a viewpoint rather than an absolute declaration. Be mindful of the context to ensure appropriateness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

appears unachievable

Focuses on the lack of feasibility based on current circumstances.

looks unattainable

Highlights the apparent impossibility of reaching a desired goal.

feels unfeasible

Emphasizes a subjective sense of impracticality.

is beyond reach

Suggests that something is outside the realm of possibility.

seems unrealistic

Indicates a disconnect from practical reality.

presents insurmountable challenges

Focuses on the obstacles preventing success.

borders on the unthinkable

Suggests a scenario that is almost beyond consideration.

defies possibility

Highlights the resistance to being realized.

verges on impossibility

Highlights nearness to absolute impossibility.

approaches the unachievable

Emphasizes nearing of unachievability.

FAQs

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

You can use "seems impossible" to describe situations or tasks that appear very difficult or unachievable. For example, "Reaching a consensus on this issue "seems impossible" at the moment."

What can I say instead of "seems impossible"?

You can use alternatives like "appears unachievable", "looks unattainable", or "feels unfeasible" depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct, "seems impossible" or "seem impossible"?

"Seems impossible" is correct when referring to a singular subject or situation. "Seem impossible" would be used with a plural subject. For example, "The odds "seem impossible" to overcome."

What's the difference between "seems impossible" and "is impossible"?

"Seems impossible" indicates a perception or strong belief that something cannot be done, while "is impossible" states it as a definitive fact. "Seems impossible" leaves room for potential, however unlikely, while "is impossible" does not.