Cool MateImpossible vs It can't be done
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Impossible
Top 1,000 (very common)A2
It can't be done
Beyond 10,000 (less common)
Most common: Impossible
| Impossible | It can't be done | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ɪmˈpɒsəbl/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ɪmˈpɑːsəbl/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //ɪt kɑːnt biː dʌn//🇺🇸 //ɪt kænt bi dʌn// |
| Meaning | Not able to happen or be done. | It is impossible to do this. |
| Example | Climbing that mountain seems impossible without proper training. | I tried to convince them, but they said, 'It can't be done'! |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Beyond 10,000 (less common) |
| CEFR level | A2 | - |
| Collocations | appear, be, look, absolutely, completely, downright, for, be, become, find somebody, really, absolutely, completely | say it can't be done, realize it can't be done, believe it can't be done |
| Antonyms | possible, feasible, achievable | - |
| Common mistakes | 'Impossible' is sometimes confused with 'unbelievable' but they are not the same., Learners might use 'impossible' to describe very challenging tasks instead of things that cannot be done at all., 'Impossible' is often incorrectly combined with less strong modifiers, like 'very impossible'. | Misuse in positive contexts, thinking it can encourage., Confuse with 'it can be done' which suggests possibility. |
| Usage notes | Use 'impossible' to describe something that cannot be achieved. It’s suitable for both spoken and written English but may be too strong in polite contexts. | Used to express impossibility; appropriate in casual conversation or formal discussions. Avoid in optimistic contexts. |
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Frequently asked questions: Impossible vs It can't be done
What's the difference between Impossible and It can't be done?
Impossible: Not able to happen or be done. It can't be done: It is impossible to do this.
Which is more common: Impossible and It can't be done?
Impossible is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Impossible: Climbing that mountain seems impossible without proper training. It can't be done: I tried to convince them, but they said, 'It can't be done'!
Can I use Impossible and It can't be done interchangeably?
Not always. Impossible and It can't be done are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.