utterly impossible

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "utterly impossible" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to emphasize that something is impossible, especially if it is more difficult or unlikely than expected. For example, "Getting to the mountain peak in one day seemed utterly impossible."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Without Rondo, it looks utterly impossible.

The Guardian - Sport

This is, of course, not entirely serious and utterly impossible.

The Guardian

But I think the pressure on them is utterly impossible, as recent events show.

The Guardian - Film

Only the utterly impossible, the inexpressibly fantastic, can ever be plausible again".

The New York Times

He found this utterly impossible unless he would pay the hauling charges.

The New Yorker

Vince Cable, it must be said, immediately pointed out that these plans are utterly impossible.

Independent

My husband's an actor as well, and there are weeks that are utterly impossible.

The Guardian

Staff I've spoken to talk of "chaos" and "meltdown" and of finding the situation "utterly impossible".

The Guardian

Mr. Zygelboym listened in pain but then said, "It's impossible, utterly impossible".

The New York Times

At the time, it looked like an utterly impossible task, but by 2006 we had achieved it.

The New York Times

"English laws are unwritten," the treatise explained, and it is "utterly impossible for the laws and rules of the realm to be reduced to writing".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "utterly impossible" to emphasize the extreme improbability or infeasibility of a situation. It adds a stronger sense of disbelief or difficulty than simply saying "impossible".

Common error

While "utterly impossible" is acceptable in many situations, avoid overuse in highly formal or scientific writing. Opt for more precise or technical language depending on the specific domain.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "utterly impossible" functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to emphasize the impossibility of something. Ludwig AI confirms its standard usage, as demonstrated by numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

72%

Science

18%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "utterly impossible" is a grammatically sound and frequently used adjectival phrase that effectively conveys extreme improbability or infeasibility. According to Ludwig AI, it's widely accepted and suitable for various contexts, although overuse in formal settings should be avoided. It most commonly appears in news and media, with a slightly less frequent occurrence in scientific publications. Remember that the use of alternatives like "completely unachievable" or "absolutely unattainable" can provide nuanced emphasis depending on the specific situation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

completely unachievable

Replaces "impossible" with "unachievable", focusing on the lack of possibility of reaching a goal.

absolutely unattainable

Emphasizes the impossibility of reaching or obtaining something.

entirely out of the question

Indicates that something is not to be considered or allowed.

simply not feasible

Focuses on the lack of practicality or workability.

beyond the realm of possibility

Highlights that something is outside what is possible or conceivable.

patently unworkable

Stresses the obvious impracticality of something.

wholly impracticable

Focuses on the impracticality of something in a formal tone.

categorically unthinkable

Indicates that something is unacceptable or inconceivable.

assuredly unrealizable

Highlights the certainty that something cannot be brought into reality.

definitely insurmountable

Emphasizes that obstacles cannot be overcome.

FAQs

How to use "utterly impossible" in a sentence?

You can use "utterly impossible" to emphasize that something is not possible, for example: "It's "utterly impossible" to finish this project in one day".

What can I say instead of "utterly impossible"?

You can use alternatives like "completely unachievable", "absolutely unattainable", or "entirely out of the question" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "utterly impossible" or "very impossible"?

"Utterly impossible" is the correct and more emphatic expression. "Very impossible" is not standard English.

Is "utterly impossible" too strong for formal writing?

While generally acceptable, consider the tone. In highly formal or scientific contexts, a more precise term might be preferred, such as "simply not feasible".