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Prepositions after adjectives

Impossible: which preposition follows it?

Impossible is commonly followed by to + verb or for + person. Other prepositions may appear in specific contexts.

Quick answer

Most common patterns with impossible

Use impossible to + verb for actions and impossible for + person/thing for situations or ability. Impossible with and impossible without are also natural in specific meanings. Impossible in usually introduces a place, situation, or field rather than forming a fixed combination.

It is impossible to finish today.
The task was impossible for beginners.
Negotiations are impossible without trust.

Choose the pattern by meaning

These forms are not interchangeable. Choose the construction by meaning, not by which preposition appears most often.

1
impossible to + verb

Talking about actions that cannot happen

Use impossible to before a verb.

It is impossible to predict the result.
She found it impossible to sleep during the storm.
2
impossible for + person/thing

Saying something cannot be done or achieved by someone

Use for before a person, group, or thing affected by the situation.

The climb was impossible for children.
It is impossible for me to attend tomorrow.
3
impossible with + noun

Showing lack of success because of a condition

Use with to mention a condition or tool that prevents success.

Accurate measurements are impossible with this equipment.
Travel becomes impossible with heavy snow.
4
impossible without + noun

Showing something cannot happen if something is missing

Use without for a necessary condition.

Success is impossible without teamwork.
The recipe is impossible without fresh herbs.

See the difference in context

The same subject can take different constructions because each sentence answers a different question.

Construction
Example
Meaning
impossible to
It is impossible to ignore the noise.
Standard pattern before a verb.
impossible for
The exam was impossible for some students.
Standard pattern for affected people or things.
impossible in
That kind of growth is impossible in winter.
In introduces a situation or time, not a fixed adjective pattern.
impossible with
Camping is impossible with this weather.
With introduces a condition that makes something fail.
impossible without
Recovery is impossible without rest.
Without shows a necessary missing condition.

Common mistakes

Some combinations appear in real text but do not mean what learners often assume.

Using in instead of to before a verb

Use to before an infinitive verb.

✕ It is impossible in understand. ✓ It is impossible to understand.

Missing for before a person

Use for before the affected person or group.

✕ The hike was impossible us. ✓ The hike was impossible for us.

Using impossible with a that-clause awkwardly

English usually prefers impossible to + verb.

✕ It is impossible that finish today. ✓ It is impossible to finish today.

Confusing with and without

With and without change the meaning.

✕ Travel is impossible with a passport. ✓ Travel is impossible without a passport.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. It was impossible ___ solve the puzzle quickly.
2. The route is impossible ___ small cars in winter.
3. Success is impossible ___ clear communication.

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Frequently asked questions

Can impossible be followed by a verb?

Yes. The usual structure is impossible to + verb.

Is impossible in correct?

Yes, when in introduces a place, field, or situation, such as impossible in cold weather.

What is the difference between impossible with and impossible without?

With refers to a condition that causes difficulty, while without refers to something necessary that is missing.

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