was impossible to determine

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was impossible to determine" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a situation or outcome that cannot be ascertained or figured out. Example: "After reviewing all the evidence, it was impossible to determine the cause of the accident."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

Their number was impossible to determine precisely.

The New York Times

The extent of the damage was impossible to determine.

The New York Times

Scioscia said it was impossible to determine exactly when he might order a walk for Bonds.

The New York Times - Sports

Another pathologist testified for the prosecution that it was impossible to determine the time exactly.

The New York Times

It was impossible to determine tonight if the tape was really that of Mr. Hussein's voice.

The New York Times

It was impossible to determine where, in the vast territory of South Sudan, Machar and Teny had taken refuge.

The New Yorker

But he said it was impossible to determine who was responsible for the attacks on Mr. Popov.

The New York Times

But Dr. Shepard said it was "impossible to determine how many cases of anthrax prophylactic antibiotic therapy prevented".

The New York Times

It was impossible to determine what was happening at the detention center, but there was certainly cause to worry.

The New York Times

But Judge Jones and Judge Barksdale said it was impossible to determine just when Cannon was sleeping.

The New York Times

The body had decomposed to such an extent that it was impossible to determine a cause of death.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "was impossible to determine", ensure that the context clearly explains why the determination was not possible. Providing the reasons for the impossibility adds credibility and depth to your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "was impossible to determine" as a blanket statement without elaborating on the specific challenges or limitations that prevented a conclusion. Always strive to provide context as to why a determination was impossible.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was impossible to determine" functions as a statement of inability or failure to ascertain a particular fact or conclusion. Ludwig AI confirms its common usage across diverse contexts. It indicates that, despite investigation or analysis, definitive knowledge could not be obtained.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

37%

News & Media

33%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "was impossible to determine" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to convey that something could not be definitively ascertained. Ludwig AI confirms its widespread applicability across various domains, particularly in science and news media. While versatile, it's important to provide context explaining why a determination was not feasible. Alternatives like "could not be ascertained" or "remains unknown" offer similar meanings with slight variations in formality. Avoid using the phrase as a simple statement without elaborating on the limitations that prevented a conclusion.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

could not be determined

Uses a more formal and passive construction.

impossible to ascertain

Replaces "determine" with a more formal synonym, "ascertain".

it remains unknown

Shifts the focus to the state of being unknown rather than the act of determining.

could not be established

Suggests a failure to prove or confirm something definitively.

there was no way to know

Emphasizes the lack of means or method to gain information.

it's beyond detection

Implies that whatever is being searched for cannot be found.

the answer was elusive

Presents the answer as difficult to catch or define.

the facts were unclear

Focuses on the lack of clarity in the available information.

it defied definition

Suggests that something is so complex or abstract that it cannot be fully captured.

the truth was obscured

Indicates that the truth is hidden or not easily visible.

FAQs

What does "was impossible to determine" mean?

The phrase "was impossible to determine" indicates that, despite efforts or investigation, it "could not be established" or figured out due to limitations or lack of sufficient information.

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

You can use it to express situations where a conclusion could not be reached, such as "After analyzing the data, it was impossible to determine the exact cause of the error".

What are some alternatives to "was impossible to determine"?

Alternatives include phrases like "could not be ascertained", "remains unknown", or ""could not be established"", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is "it was impossible to determine" the same as "it's difficult to determine"?

No, "was impossible to determine" indicates a complete inability to find an answer, while "it's difficult to determine" suggests that finding an answer is challenging but not necessarily unattainable.