that's impossible

USAGE SUMMARY

"that's impossible" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is often used as a declarative statement to express disbelief or doubt about something. Example: "John claimed he could swim across the ocean, but that's impossible."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Ha! That's impossible!

The New Yorker

It's a proposition that's impossible to quantify.

BBC

"That's impossible," she said.

The New Yorker

He knew that's impossible".

The New York Times

"You know, that's impossible.

The New Yorker

"That's impossible!" I exclaimed.

The New Yorker

"That's impossible," Lubert said.

The New York Times - Sports

"That's impossible," Tynes said.

The New York Times - Sports

Perhaps that's impossible.

The Guardian

That's impossible, of course.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

That's impossible…or is it?

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "that's impossible" to express strong disagreement or disbelief in a statement or proposed action. It's effective in both informal and semi-formal contexts to shut down unrealistic expectations.

Common error

Avoid simply stating "that's impossible" without providing context or reasoning. Back up your claim with a brief explanation to make your point more convincing and less dismissive.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "that's impossible" is to act as a declarative statement expressing strong disbelief or negation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it asserts the impossibility of a situation or claim. For example, in response to a claim, it directly refutes its feasibility.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

89%

Science

4%

Wiki

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "that's impossible" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to express strong disbelief or negation. As Ludwig AI explains, it functions as a declarative statement that directly refutes a claim or situation. Predominantly found in News & Media, it carries a generally neutral tone suitable for various contexts, from casual conversation to journalistic writing. While highly effective for conveying strong disagreement, remember to provide context to avoid appearing dismissive. Consider alternatives like "that's unachievable" or "that's not possible" for nuanced expressions. This phrase remains a powerful tool for expressing skepticism or asserting the infeasibility of an idea.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

That's not possible

A more direct and straightforward way of expressing impossibility.

That's unachievable

Replaces "impossible" with a synonym, focusing on the lack of possibility of achievement.

That's unattainable

Similar to "unachievable", but emphasizes the inability to reach or obtain something.

That's inconceivable

Suggests that something is beyond comprehension or belief.

That's unthinkable

Highlights that something is too shocking or outrageous to consider.

That's out of the question

Indicates that something is completely unacceptable or not to be considered.

It can't be done

Focuses on the inability to complete or accomplish something.

There's no way that's happening

Emphasizes the lack of any possibility for something to occur.

That's just not going to happen

An informal way to express that something will definitely not occur.

That's beyond the realm of possibility

A more formal way of saying something is impossible, emphasizing its extreme unlikelihood.

FAQs

How can I use "that's impossible" in a sentence?

"That's impossible" is used to express disbelief or to state that something cannot happen. For example, "He said he could fly, but "that's impossible"!"

What are some alternatives to saying "that's impossible"?

Alternatives include "that's unachievable", "that's not possible", or "that's out of the question", depending on the specific context and level of formality.

When is it appropriate to use "that's impossible" in writing?

Use "that's impossible" when you want to directly and firmly express that something is not feasible or believable. It's suitable for informal conversations, debates, and even some semi-formal writing when you need to make a strong statement.

What is the difference between "that's impossible" and "that's unlikely"?

"That's impossible" indicates a complete lack of possibility, whereas "that's unlikely" suggests that something is improbable but still potentially possible. The former is a stronger statement of disbelief or negation.