was not viable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was not viable" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something was not feasible, practical, or capable of working effectively in a given context. Example: "The proposed solution was not viable due to budget constraints and lack of resources."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The company was not viable".

The Guardian - Business

George Provopoulos said: ATEbank was not viable.

The Guardian - Business

By definition, Samsung's product was not viable, even minimally so.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Mr Barclay said a prosecution was not viable.

The Guardian

The bailout was not viable, he said: "It was a coup d'état".

The New Yorker

The company said that the factory, which it acquired in November 2007, was not viable.

The Guardian - Business

As the legend indicates, this blood-revenge model of justice was not viable.

The New Yorker

For a small start-up company the idea was not viable.

Harvard Business Review

The foetus was not viable and Halappanavar was told that she could not be induced.

The Guardian - Opinion

The west had refused to help, saying such a project was not viable.

The Guardian

It said the gallery was not viable in its current model.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "was not viable", ensure the context clearly explains why something lacked feasibility. Providing specific reasons strengthens your argument.

Common error

Avoid using "was not viable" as a vague, unsupported claim. Always provide evidence or reasons to support the assertion that something lacked feasibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was not viable" functions as a predicate adjective, describing the subject's inability to succeed or be sustained. It is used to express that something lacked the necessary conditions for success, as confirmed by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Wiki

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "was not viable" is a versatile phrase used to express the infeasibility or lack of sustainability of something. According to Ludwig, it functions as a predicate adjective and is commonly found in neutral to professional contexts like news, science, and business. While grammatically correct and widely used, it's important to provide supporting evidence when employing this phrase to avoid vagueness. Alternatives such as "was not feasible" or "could not be sustained" can provide nuanced variations, with 60 examples that showcases its prevalence. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase follows standard grammar rules, marking it as correct and usable in various contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was not feasible

A more formal synonym, emphasizing possibility and achievability.

was unsustainable

Directly states that a process or system cannot be maintained.

was impractical

Directly states the lack of practicality.

could not be sustained

Highlights the inability to maintain or support something.

was unworkable

Implies fundamental flaws preventing successful operation.

turned out to be infeasible

Emphasizes the impracticality that was discovered over time.

proved unsustainable

Focuses on the lack of long-term sustainability.

was simply impossible

Highlights that something could not happen or be achieved.

was doomed to fail

Emphasizes a negative outcome and lack of success.

lacked the resources

Specifies a reason for non-viability: insufficient resources.

FAQs

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

You can use "was not viable" to describe a plan, idea, or system that couldn't succeed or be sustained. For example, "The project /s/was+not+viable because of budget limitations".

What's a more formal alternative to "was not viable"?

A more formal alternative is "was not feasible". This phrase is suitable for academic or professional contexts.

What does it mean when something "was not viable"?

It means that the thing in question couldn't work effectively or be sustained. It implies there were significant issues preventing its success.

How is "was not viable" different from "was not practical"?

"Was not viable" implies a deeper level of impossibility, suggesting fundamental flaws. "Was not practical" might suggest it could theoretically work, but is not suitable for the present situation.