was impossible to

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of the sentence "was impossible to" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that could not happen. Example: It was impossible to predict the outcome of the election.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

It was impossible to vacuum".

The New Yorker

It was impossible to say.

The New Yorker

It was impossible to disagree.

The New York Times

It was impossible to sleep.

The New Yorker

"It was impossible to sell that".

The Economist

"It was impossible to open the doors.

Independent

It was impossible to corroborate that assertion.

The New York Times

It was impossible to help them.

The Economist

It was impossible to verify their numbers.

The New York Times

That assertion was impossible to immediately confirm.

The New York Times

The whole thing was impossible to compute.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was impossible to" when you want to express that something definitively could not be done under the circumstances. Ensure the context clearly explains why the action was not possible.

Common error

Avoid using "was impossible to" when something was merely very difficult or unlikely. Reserve it for situations where the impossibility is factual and undeniable.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was impossible to" functions as a predicate adjective, modifying a subject by asserting that a certain action or outcome was not achievable. This is validated by Ludwig, which indicates the phrase is grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "was impossible to" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to denote that something could not be achieved. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts. It's most commonly found in news and media, but also appears in formal and business settings. When using this phrase, ensure that the context clearly supports the claim of impossibility, rather than mere difficulty. Alternatives like "could not be done" or "was not feasible to" can provide nuanced ways to express similar ideas. Remember to avoid overstating situations and reserve "was impossible to" for genuinely unachievable scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

could not be done

Replaces "was impossible to" with a simpler, more direct expression of inability.

was not feasible to

Substitutes "impossible" with "feasible", focusing on the practicality or viability of an action.

was beyond the realm of possibility

Emphasizes the complete lack of possibility, adding a touch of drama.

was out of the question

Indicates that something was not even worth considering or attempting.

proved unachievable

Highlights the failure to achieve something, emphasizing the unsuccessful outcome.

was simply not an option

Indicates a lack of choice or possibility, suggesting that something was not a viable alternative.

was unattainable

Focuses on the inability to reach or obtain something, highlighting the lack of access.

could not be accomplished

Similar to "could not be done", but with a focus on the completion of a task or goal.

defied all attempts

Stresses the futility of trying to achieve something, indicating repeated failures.

was a lost cause

Implies that further effort would be pointless, suggesting that the situation was beyond hope.

FAQs

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

Use "was impossible to" to describe a situation where something could not be done or achieved. For example, "It "was impossible to predict" the outcome of the game".

What are some alternatives to "was impossible to"?

Alternatives include "could not be done", "was not feasible to", or "proved unachievable". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it better to say "was impossible to do" or "could not be done"?

Both "was impossible to do" and "could not be done" are grammatically correct. "Was impossible to do" is slightly more formal, while "could not be done" is more direct.

When should I use "was impossible to" instead of "was difficult to"?

Use "was impossible to" when an action was completely unachievable, regardless of effort. Use "was difficult to" when an action was challenging but potentially achievable with effort.