we found it impossible to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we found it impossible to" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing a difficulty or inability to accomplish a task or goal. Example: "Despite our best efforts, we found it impossible to meet the deadline for the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

Each section on our site has its own editor as we found it impossible to maintain the site as well as find fresh and daily content to post.

TechCrunch

We found it impossible to properly consider where to go next while in government.

The Guardian - Opinion

The proposal was so ridiculous that we found it impossible to refuse.

The New York Times - Travel

We found it impossible to avert our eyes from the scenes of suffering as our fellow New Orleanians clambered out of the floodwaters onto rooftops or dry ground.

The New York Times

Cherry Book Worms' contributions: Location: Sidcup, Kent Reading age: 11 - 14 Favourite authors: We all like different books and we found it impossible to limit our choice to just 3 authors.

The Guardian

Peering up at glaciated peaks, we found it impossible to imagine we were on the equator and only a short distance from trumpeting elephants and primate-laden rain forests.

The New York Times - Travel

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

We find it impossible to keep up with all models (especially in the area of neurodegeneration).

Harvard University

We all want desperately to be understood but sometimes we find it impossible to explain ourselves.

The Guardian

"We find it impossible to reconcile the banks' claims of asset quality stability and the macro facts," the report said.

The New York Times

Maybe it's because we find it impossible to believe someone could actually invent such a haunting location.

The Guardian - Books

She added, "We find it impossible to understand why our elected officials and government planners would not work to prevent encroachment into Waikiki Beach, instead of supporting this proposal".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "we found it impossible to" when you want to express a strong sense of inability or insurmountable difficulty, often due to external factors or inherent limitations. It is suitable when a direct statement of failure is required.

Common error

Avoid using "we found it impossible to" in very informal or casual writing. Simpler alternatives like "we couldn't" or "we were unable to" may be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we found it impossible to" functions as a declarative statement expressing an inability to perform a certain action. Ludwig AI confirms it is correct and usable in written English. It indicates a definitive lack of success, often due to insurmountable obstacles or limitations.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

27%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Wiki

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "we found it impossible to" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to convey a strong sense of inability or failure to achieve a specific goal. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. Predominantly used in neutral to slightly formal contexts such as news, science, and academia, it effectively communicates insurmountable difficulties. While simpler alternatives like "we couldn't" exist for informal settings, "we found it impossible to" provides a more definitive statement. When using this phrase, ensure it aligns with the seriousness and formality of the context to maintain clarity and professionalism.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we were unable to

Replaces "found it impossible" with a more direct statement of inability. Focuses on the lack of capacity.

we could not

Uses a simple modal verb to express inability, making it more concise.

we were incapable of

Highlights a lack of capability or inherent ability to perform the action.

it proved unfeasible for us to

Uses more formal vocabulary ("unfeasible") and shifts the emphasis to the task's practicality.

it was beyond our capabilities to

Emphasizes that the task exceeded the group's skills or power.

we lacked the ability to

Focuses specifically on the absence of the necessary skills or resources.

we met insurmountable obstacles in

Emphasizes the presence of barriers that hindered success. More descriptive tone.

we faced an insurmountable challenge in

Highlights the scale and difficulty of barriers which could not be overcome.

we had no choice but to refuse

Indicates inability due to circumstance. Highlights the limited agency of actors.

circumstances made it prohibitive for us to

Focuses on external obstacles preventing an action, in formal tone.

FAQs

What does "we found it impossible to" mean?

The phrase "we found it impossible to" means that a group of people tried to do something but were completely unable to accomplish it, often due to significant obstacles or limitations.

What can I say instead of "we found it impossible to"?

You can use alternatives like "we were unable to", "we could not", or "it proved unfeasible for us to" depending on the specific context.

Is "we found it impossible to" formal or informal?

The phrase "we found it impossible to" sits in a neutral to slightly formal register. It's appropriate for professional, academic, and news contexts. Simpler alternatives might be preferable for very informal settings.

How to use "we found it impossible to" in a sentence?

You can use the phrase to describe a situation where achieving something was beyond your capabilities, such as: "Despite our best efforts, "we found it impossible to" meet the deadline."