a unfathomable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a unfathomable" is not correct in written English. It should be "an unfathomable" because "unfathomable" begins with a vowel sound. You can use it to describe something that is difficult or impossible to understand. Example: "The depths of the ocean are an unfathomable mystery." Alternative expressions include "an incomprehensible" and "an inscrutable."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Perishing from a fire is an unfathomable death.

HuffPost

A dream, and an unfathomable desire to achieve that dream, are the two basic aspects needed to succeed in business.

WikiHow

With naught but a moustache comb and an unfathomable accent he's managed to get himself a couple of punch-ups away from Warden of the North.

Independent

All agreed that the exclusion of such a top team was an unfathomable snub.

The New York Times - Sports

They fell out after an unfathomable row over a joke about Stalinism.

The Guardian

In Greece, unemployment rocketed an unfathomable 18.3percentt in a span of four years.

Huffington Post

Later the death toll is updated to an ungraspable 58 and an unfathomable total of 42 guns, all legally purchased.

Huffington Post

This is a university summer ball, with an unfathomable dress code.

The Guardian - Music

He won 10 national championships in 12 years, including 7 in a row, as U.C.L.A.'s coach, an unfathomable number today.

The New York Times - Sports

More often the public is benumbed by an unfathomable depth of detail and a perplexing array of claims.

Huffington Post

For some, it represents an unfathomable hurdle; for others, it presents a challenge to discover, unravel and find out more.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always use the article 'an' before the word 'unfathomable'. Because the word begins with a vowel sound (/ʌ/), the correct indefinite article must be 'an' to allow for smooth phonetic transition.

Common error

Do not assume that all words starting with 'u' take the article 'a'. While words like 'university' start with a consonant 'y' sound, 'unfathomable' starts with a pure vowel sound. Using "a unfathomable" is a common error that disrupts the flow of a sentence.

How to use

Learn how to use "a unfathomable" with practical examples and tips.

How to use

Linguistic Context

The sequence "a unfathomable" functions as a failed attempt at an indefinite article and adjective pairing. In standard English, this construction is intended to modify a singular countable noun. However, as noted by Ludwig, the phonetic requirement for 'an' makes this specific string non-standard and strictly incorrect in formal writing.

Expression frequency: Missing

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a unfathomable" is a grammatical error and should always be written as "an unfathomable". According to Ludwig AI and the provided search data, there are no documented instances of the incorrect version in reliable publications. The word 'unfathomable' begins with a vowel sound, which necessitates the use of 'an'. This adjective is commonly used in high-level media to describe things that are mysterious, vast, or impossible to understand. When writing, prioritize the phonetic flow and ensure that the indefinite article matches the sound of the following word.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an unfathomable

Uses the correct indefinite article for a word starting with a vowel sound

an incomprehensible

Replaces the adjective with a synonym starting with a vowel sound and correct article

a deep

Uses a simple adjective starting with a consonant to keep the article a

an inscrutable

Suggests something that cannot be searched or understood, using the correct article

a mysterious

Provides a common synonym starting with a consonant to match the article a

an immeasurable

Focuses on the aspect of depth or scale that cannot be measured

an enigmatic

Describes something puzzling or difficult to interpret with proper article usage

a bottomless

Employs a metaphorical synonym that works with the article a

an unintelligible

Refers specifically to things that cannot be understood logically

a profound

Swaps for a consonant-led adjective meaning deep or intense

FAQs

Which is correct, a unfathomable or an unfathomable?

The only correct version is "an unfathomable". In English, the article 'an' is required before words that begin with a vowel sound.

What can I say instead of a unfathomable?

You should use "an unfathomable" or choose a similar phrase like "a mysterious" or "an incomprehensible" depending on your specific meaning.

Why is a unfathomable considered incorrect?

It is incorrect because it pairings the article 'a' with a word starting with the vowel sound /ʌ/. Standard English grammar dictates that 'an' must be used in this context to prevent a glottal stop.

How to use an unfathomable in a sentence?

You can use it to describe something beyond comprehension, such as "an unfathomable mystery" or "an unfathomable depth".