it is impossible vs it is impractical

Both phrases are correct, but they convey slightly different meanings. 'It is impossible' indicates that something cannot be done under any circumstances, while 'it is impractical' suggests that something is not sensible or feasible due to practical reasons. The choice between the two depends on the context and the specific message you want to convey.

Last updated: March 30, 2024 • 873 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to indicate that something cannot be done under any circumstances.

"it is impossible"

Use 'it is impossible' when you want to convey that a certain action or outcome is not achievable or feasible.

Examples:

It is impossible to turn back time.
It is impossible to please everyone.
It is impossible to predict the future.

Show examples from the web [+]

And let me reassure you it is impossible that there could be another blackout.
She is married, so it is impossible.
I'm sorry, it is impossible.
But it is impossible, this map...
You know that it is impossible to prevent.
Without living in fraternity it is impossible to survive physically, psychologically and spiritually.
But it is impossible to reverse the freezing of a shape-shifter...
Yes, it is impossible to believe.
You know, it is impossible to wear heels when you swim.
Sad to say something like, but it is impossible.
Even with physical access to an Osiris installation it is impossible to trace the actual user without knowing his password.
This constraint is necessary because it is impossible to design a system for unlimited conditions.
This is a general rule of cryptanalysis: with no additional information it is impossible to decode this message.
Because they are Germans and it is impossible to paint a car badly.
Great leaders know that it is impossible to take everything on themselves.
Of course, it is impossible to make measurements no climbing on the mountain.
Therefore, it is impossible to have a world without war, or poverty.
However, it is impossible to guarantee 100% error-free materials.
They are unaware that it is impossible to generate the necessary temperature.
In fact it is impossible to receive GPS signal indoor or garage or tunnel.

Alternatives:

it can't be done
it's not possible
it's out of the question
it's beyond reach
it's unattainable

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to indicate that something is not sensible or feasible due to practical reasons.

"it is impractical"

Use 'it is impractical' when you want to convey that a certain course of action is not practical or advisable due to various constraints.

Examples:

It is impractical to travel without a passport.
It is impractical to build a house without a foundation.
It is impractical to expect perfection in everything.

Show examples from the web [+]

For materials and articles below 500 ml and above 10 l as well as for articles for which it is impractical to calculate the real contact surface the contact surface is assumed to be 6 dm2 per kg food.
diffuse sources means the many smaller or scattered sources from which pollutants may be released to land, air or water, whose combined impact on those media may be significant and for which it is impractical to collect reports from each individual source;
Under the current RoHS it is impractical for manufacturers of finished products to undertake their own testing.
Maj. Petrovitch has decided it is impractical.
I think that it is impractical, apart from anything else because not even MEPs always read those replies.
In fact, it is impractical 'to take account of the European Union's labour needs'.
If for any reason it is impractical to take cloacal swabs from live birds carefully collected fresh faeces samples may serve as an alternative.
At the same time it has also been asserted that regulators for data protection may need to recognise that in certain circumstances it is impractical to obtain consent prior to processing.
Furthermore, stocks of explosives with longer shelf-lives which were produced earlier and were not to be marked in accordance with Directive 2008/43/EC will still be in the supply chain and it is impractical to oblige companies to maintain different types of records.
Where, by agreement with the Technical Service, it is impractical to measure the actuator stroke, the initial setting shall be agreed with the Technical Service.
When a laboratory purchases time-mated animals, it is impractical to begin dosing at GD 0, and thus GD 6 would be a good starting day.
Where it is impractical to control the noise source, such personnel are provided with the necessary personal equipment to stop excessive noise causing distraction during inspection tasks.
The leakage detectors referred to in article 3 should be located in areas such as compressor houses as it is impractical as well as pointless to monitor low risk components such as pipework.
The committee also disagrees with a rule that requires vessels to stop fishing and return to port if the satellite tracking equipment used to monitor their activities breaks down, arguing that it is impractical and unfair to force vessels to return home from the high seas.
It is impractical to evaluate complete train behaviour by testing therefore the achievement of the objectives shall be validated by dynamic simulation, which correspond to the design collisions scenarios.
It is impractical to expect all the different regulatory authorities in Europe who currently manage spectrum allocation to deliver a unified spectrum regime for Europe.

Alternatives:

it's not feasible
it's not practical
it's not workable
it's not realistic
it's not advisable

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it is impossible vs it is impractical

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