Cool MateIt can't be vs Not possible
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
It can't be
Top 2,000 (common)
Not possible
Top 2,000 (common)
| It can't be | Not possible | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //ɪt kɑːnt biː//🇺🇸 //ɪt kænt bi// | 🇬🇧 //nɒt ˈpɒsəbl//🇺🇸 //nɑt ˈpɑsəbl// |
| Meaning | It is not possible. | Something that cannot happen or be done. |
| Example | When he said he could lift that car, I thought, 'It can't be!' | It is not possible to finish the project without more time. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| Collocations | it can't be true, it can't be real, it can't be happening, it can't be serious | not possible to achieve, not possible due to circumstances, not possible at this time, not possible without effort |
| Common mistakes | Omitting 'it' and saying just 'can't be'., Using 'can't' in very formal speech., Confusing with 'it shouldn’t be' which implies advice rather than disbelief. | Confusing with 'impossible' as it is less formal., Using 'not possible' when something could be possible with effort., Misplacing the phrase in a sentence leading to awkward construction. |
| Usage notes | Used to express disbelief or rejection of a statement. Appropriate in both spoken and written contexts. Avoid in overly formal settings. | Use 'not possible' in everyday contexts to indicate something is impractical or unachievable. Avoid overusing in formal writing. |
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Frequently asked questions: It can't be vs Not possible
What's the difference between It can't be and Not possible?
It can't be: It is not possible. Not possible: Something that cannot happen or be done.
Can you show an example of each?
It can't be: When he said he could lift that car, I thought, 'It can't be!' Not possible: It is not possible to finish the project without more time.
Can I use It can't be and Not possible interchangeably?
Not always. It can't be and Not possible 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.