Cool MateImpossible vs Not gonna happen
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Impossible
Top 1,000 (very common)A2
Not gonna happen
InformalTop 2,000 (common)
Most formal: ImpossibleMost common: Impossible
| Impossible | Not gonna happen | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ɪmˈpɒsəbl/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ɪmˈpɑːsəbl/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //nɒt ˈgənə ˈhæpən//🇺🇸 //nɑt ˈgɑnə ˈhæpən// |
| Meaning | Not able to happen or be done. | Something that will definitely not occur. |
| Example | Climbing that mountain seems impossible without proper training. | If you think I’ll do that for free, it’s not gonna happen. |
| Register | Neutral | Informal |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | A2 | - |
| Collocations | appear, be, look, absolutely, completely, downright, for, be, become, find somebody, really, absolutely, completely | it's not gonna happen, that’s just not gonna happen, definitely not gonna happen |
| 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'. | Used in formal situations where a professional tone is needed., Incorrectly written as 'not gonna' without 'happen'., Confused with similar phrases like 'not likely'. |
| 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 in casual conversations to express disbelief or refusal. Avoid in formal contexts. |
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Frequently asked questions: Impossible vs Not gonna happen
What's the difference between Impossible and Not gonna happen?
Impossible: Not able to happen or be done. Not gonna happen: Something that will definitely not occur.
Which is more formal: Impossible and Not gonna happen?
Impossible is the most formal of these.
Which is more common: Impossible and Not gonna happen?
Impossible is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Impossible: Climbing that mountain seems impossible without proper training. Not gonna happen: If you think I’ll do that for free, it’s not gonna happen.
Can I use Impossible and Not gonna happen interchangeably?
Not always. Impossible and Not gonna happen 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.