was not doable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was not doable" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something was not possible to accomplish or achieve. Example: "The project deadline was too tight, and unfortunately, the task was not doable within the given timeframe."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

But it was not doable".

The New York Times

"For months I thought it was not doable, but I was obsessed," Mr. Russo had said.

The New York Times

But it was not "doable" before Congress had to raise the debt limit, he said, so he went to work with lawmakers on a fallback.

The New York Times

He said a global climate pact was "not doable" and "unworkable".

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

"But as a practical matter that simply wasn't doable".

The New York Times

If I thought it wasn't doable I wouldn't be doing it.

The Guardian - Sport

"I decided that at my age, 77, becoming proficient wasn't doable without a lot of time," said Mr. Koch, a partner in a New York law firm.

The New York Times

"The Cases and I felt that launching something new from scratch wasn't doable" given his time commitment to antiterrorism efforts, he says.

Science Magazine

Hinz, whose daughter suffers from Dravet, said she and her husband considered the move to Colorado, but ultimately decided it wasn't doable.

Vice

That's not doable.

The Guardian - Tech

It is not doable.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was not doable" when you want to convey that something couldn't be accomplished due to practical reasons or limitations. This phrase is suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

While "was not doable" is acceptable in many contexts, consider more formal alternatives like "was not feasible" or "was not achievable" in academic papers or official reports to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was not doable" functions as an adjective phrase, specifically a predicate adjective, modifying a noun or pronoun to indicate that something is impossible or infeasible. Ludwig confirms its usability.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "was not doable" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression for indicating impossibility or infeasibility. While generally acceptable across various contexts, it's advisable to opt for more formal alternatives like "was not feasible" or "was not achievable" in academic or highly professional settings. Ludwig AI validates its correctness and widespread use, particularly in news and media, making it a versatile choice for expressing practical limitations. The frequency of this phrase is common, and it's typically employed to convey that an action or plan couldn't be realized due to constraints.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was not feasible

Emphasizes practicality; focuses on whether something could be realistically carried out.

was not possible

Highlights that something was beyond the realm of possibility, due to circumstances or inherent limitations.

was not viable

Suggests the option lacked the capacity to develop or survive successfully.

was not achievable

Focuses on the inability to reach a desired outcome or goal.

was not attainable

Similar to achievable, but often implies a higher level of difficulty or ambition.

was not practicable

Emphasizes whether something could be put into practice successfully.

was not realistic

Focuses on whether the option aligns with real-world conditions and constraints.

was out of the question

Indicates that something was not even worth considering, often due to unsuitability or undesirability.

could not be done

A more straightforward, less formal way of expressing that something was impossible to execute.

was not within reach

Indicates that something was just beyond one's ability to achieve.

FAQs

What does "was not doable" mean?

The phrase "was not doable" means that something was not possible or feasible to achieve or accomplish. It indicates that the task, plan, or action was impractical or impossible given the circumstances.

How can I use "was not doable" in a sentence?

You can use "was not doable" to describe something that couldn't be done due to certain constraints or limitations. For example, "Meeting the deadline "was not doable" with the limited resources we had."

What are some alternatives to "was not doable"?

Alternatives to "was not doable" include "was not feasible", "was not possible", "was not achievable", or "was not viable". The best choice depends on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is "was not doable" formal or informal?

The phrase "was not doable" leans towards the informal side but is acceptable in many contexts. For formal writing, consider using alternatives like "was not feasible" or "was not achievable" to maintain a more professional tone.