that cannot be overcome

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "that cannot be overcome" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a challenge, obstacle, or difficulty that is insurmountable or impossible to surpass. Example: "The team faced a barrier that cannot be overcome, leading to the project's eventual halt."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

44 human-written examples

His well-being is restricted by his impairments in ways that cannot be overcome no matter how much support his parents or society provide to him.

American Journal of Bioethics

There is no challenge that cannot be overcome by a determined Plaid Cymru government".

The Guardian

"There are some biological factors that cannot be overcome," Levine said.

The New York Times - Sports

This is the limitation on the legalization process that cannot be overcome.

The Washington Post

This is a problem of identification that cannot be overcome by quasi-experimental designs.

International Encyclopedia of the Social & Behavioral Sciences

The pontiff, speaking to journalists on his flight, said the condition was "a tragedy that cannot be overcome by money alone, that cannot be overcome through the distribution of condoms, which even aggravates the problems".

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

16 human-written examples

The moral to these stories might be that there is no indignity so great that it cannot be overcome with enough time, humility and private contemplation.

The New York Times

No disease has a stigma so severe that it cannot be overcome by compensation, said Mr. Greenberg of Celebrity Connection.

The New York Times - Style

"I believe there is no challenge so great or so difficult that it cannot be overcome by America, Britain and the world working together," he added.

The New York Times

A careful reading of the University of Texas opinion makes clear that affirmative action, in any practical sense, will follow shortly thereafter, not through overruling of prior precedents but by setting the bar for race-conscious remedies so high that it cannot be overcome.

The New Yorker

Socrates' proof in the Protagoras that reason cannot be overcome by the passions has, from Aristotle on, been treated as a denial of akrasia, of the phenomenon that was later somewhat misleadingly dubbed 'weakness of the will'.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "that cannot be overcome" to emphasize the severity or permanence of a challenge or obstacle, adding weight to your argument or description.

Common error

While grammatically sound, "that cannot be overcome" can sound overly formal in casual conversation. Opt for simpler phrases like "impossible" or "can't be fixed" in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that cannot be overcome" functions as a relative clause, modifying a noun by specifying a quality of impossibility. It describes something as being insurmountable or impossible to conquer. Ludwig provides various examples demonstrating its use in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

44%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "that cannot be overcome" is a relative clause used to describe something as impossible to conquer or surpass. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used in writing, particularly in news, scientific, and academic contexts. While appropriate for formal settings, simpler alternatives may be preferable in casual conversation. When using this phrase, consider its formality and the weight it adds to the description of the challenge or obstacle. The variety of examples on Ludwig showcases the phrase's application across diverse subjects and writing styles, demonstrating its versatility and effectiveness in conveying a sense of insurmountable difficulty.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

insurmountable

A single word alternative that directly conveys the idea of something being impossible to overcome.

unconquerable

Suggests a challenge or obstacle that is impossible to defeat or subdue.

impossible to surmount

Replaces "overcome" with "surmount", maintaining the sense of scaling or conquering.

beyond resolution

Focuses on the lack of a solution or resolution for the problem.

cannot be defeated

Emphasizes the inability to win against a particular challenge or opponent.

unbreakable

Implies that something is too strong to be broken or overcome.

unyielding

Suggests inflexibility and the inability to be swayed or overcome.

not amenable to change

Focuses on the lack of ability to alter the situation.

irreversible

Highlights the inability to reverse or undo a particular condition or outcome.

doomed to fail

Focuses on a predetermined negative outcome that cannot be avoided.

FAQs

How can I use "that cannot be overcome" in a sentence?

This phrase is typically used to describe challenges or obstacles that are impossible to surpass or resolve. For example, "The team faced a barrier "that cannot be overcome", halting the project."

What are some alternatives to "that cannot be overcome"?

Alternatives include "insurmountable", "unconquerable", or "impossible to surmount". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is "that cannot be overcome" too formal for everyday conversation?

While grammatically correct, it can sound overly formal in casual conversation. Consider using simpler terms like "impossible" or "can't be fixed" instead.

What is the difference between "that cannot be overcome" and "that cannot be addressed"?

"That cannot be overcome" suggests an obstacle that is impossible to surpass, while "that cannot be addressed" implies a problem that cannot be effectively dealt with or resolved. Overcoming relates to conquering, while addressing relates to managing or resolving.