was deemed impossible

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was deemed impossible" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something was considered or judged to be impossible by someone or a group. Example: "The project was deemed impossible due to the lack of resources and time constraints."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

28 human-written examples

It was deemed impossible before I got it to work.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The place of confinement was the guva, a rock-cut cell on the Castel Sant'Angelo from which escape was deemed impossible.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It was not until the Renaissance, with its burgeoning interest in anatomy, that such spontaneous generation of animals from putrefying matter was deemed impossible.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In the nineteenth century it was deemed impossible for women to fulfill this wish — so she made it her life's work to perform the impossible.

The New York Times

Already tried and convicted by public opinion, a fair jury trial was deemed impossible and could have resulted in an even worse outcome.

The Guardian - Opinion

And that, where it was deemed impossible to cut, I will hopefully have come up with something that avoids the feeling of waiting for a bus.

The Guardian - Music

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

32 human-written examples

Soon their parents find out; marriage is deemed impossible, and Zakia runs away to a shelter.

The New York Times - Books

Only one of the 32,000 deals in the Microsoft Windows version has been deemed impossible: No.11,982 is one bad trip.

The New York Times - Tech

At this stage, containment of the virus is deemed impossible but a pandemic is not necessarily inevitable.

Encyclopedia Britannica

On the one hand, the experiment engendered great excitement for defying conventional scientific belief: cloning a living being from an adult cell had long been deemed impossible.

The New York Times

This would have been deemed impossible just a year ago and much of it is down to the political pocket battleship that is Ruth Davidson.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "was deemed impossible", clearly identify who made that judgment. Providing context about the decision-making process adds credibility to your statement.

Common error

While "was deemed impossible" is grammatically correct, overuse of the passive voice can make your writing sound weak or vague. Consider using a more direct construction to strengthen your message.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was deemed impossible" functions as a predicate adjective construction, where 'deemed' acts as a linking verb connecting the subject to the adjective 'impossible'. Ludwig provides examples showing how this phrase typically describes a situation, task, or goal that has been judged as not achievable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

27%

Encyclopedias

11%

Less common in

Wiki

11%

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "was deemed impossible" is a frequently used and grammatically sound expression indicating that something has been officially considered unachievable or infeasible. As Ludwig AI confirms, it serves to formally convey that a task or goal has been judged not possible by a specific authority or group. While it is appropriate for various contexts, including news, science, and encyclopedic writing, overuse of the passive voice should be avoided for more direct and impactful writing. The best practice is to identify who made the judgment of impossibility to provide clarity and credibility. Alternative expressions such as "was considered unachievable" or "was regarded as unattainable" can be used for variety.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was considered unachievable

Focuses on the lack of possibility to achieve a specific goal.

was regarded as unattainable

Emphasizes the idea that something was out of reach or not obtainable.

was judged to be unfeasible

Highlights the impracticality and lack of viability of something.

was thought to be unworkable

Stresses the idea that a plan or system could not function successfully.

was seen as beyond reach

Suggests something was too distant or difficult to obtain.

was considered out of the question

Indicates something was completely unacceptable or not worth considering.

was believed to be a lost cause

Implies something was hopeless and not worth pursuing.

was written off as a non-starter

Highlights that something failed to gain traction or initial support.

was dismissed as unrealistic

Focuses on the lack of practicality or connection to reality.

was given up on as hopeless

Emphasizes that an activity has been stopped due to impossibility.

FAQs

How can I use "was deemed impossible" in a sentence?

You can use "was deemed impossible" to indicate that something was judged not feasible or achievable. For example, "The task "was deemed impossible" due to lack of resources."

What are some alternatives to "was deemed impossible"?

Alternatives include "was considered unachievable", "was regarded as unattainable", or "was judged to be unfeasible", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to use active or passive voice with the idea of impossibility?

While "was deemed impossible" is passive, an active voice construction might be stronger. For instance, instead of "The solution "was deemed impossible" by the team", you could write "The team considered the solution impossible".

What does "deemed" mean in the phrase "was deemed impossible"?

In this context, "deemed" means to judge, consider, or regard in a particular way. It implies a formal assessment or opinion.