a unthinkable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a unthinkable" is not correct in standard written English. It should be "an unthinkable" because "unthinkable" begins with a vowel sound. You can use it to describe something that is beyond imagination or consideration. Example: "The idea of losing everything was an unthinkable scenario for her." Alternative expressions include "an unimaginable" and "an inconceivable."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

A crash-out Brexit would be a unthinkable for the peace process, jobs, trade and to the loss of people's rights and quality of life, particularly in border communities.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

The loss of a child is an unbearable grief, the murder of a child an unthinkable atrocity.

The New Yorker

This was an unthinkable, a testicle-withering sum.

The New Yorker

In an unthinkable crisis, a bank's chief executive has to make a fast decision.

Harvard Business Review

Around every point, there was an unthinkable stroke, an unpredictable end to a point.

The New York Times - Sports

The result is neither a film adaptation of the book — an unthinkable undertaking — nor a biography of the writer.

The New York Times

It would have been an unthinkable act a generation earlier.

The Guardian

For the next year, Elaine and Heinz plunged into an unthinkable grief, an ache worthy of Job.

The New Yorker

Division among Christians is a denial of Christ, an unthinkable distortion of the reality of the church.

Encyclopedia Britannica

For kids dealing with an unthinkable tragedy, sometimes a small gesture can make all the difference.

HuffPost

This woman, Emma, is liberated but must lose her son, an unthinkable tragedy for a mother?

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Proofread specifically for article-adjective agreement, as typos like this often slip through automated spellcheckers.

Common error

Writers sometimes mistakenly use 'a' before 'u' because they are used to words like 'university' where the 'u' makes a consonant 'y' sound. Remember that in 'unthinkable', the 'u' is a pure vowel sound and requires 'an'.

How to use

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

How to use

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a unthinkable" is technically a noun phrase modifier composed of an indefinite article and an adjective. However, as noted by Ludwig, this specific pairing is a grammatical mismatch.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

90%

Academia

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Science

0.5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

To conclude, "a unthinkable" is a grammatical error that occurs when the article 'a' is incorrectly paired with a word starting with a vowel sound. While Ludwig identifies rare occurrences in reputable sources, these are almost certainly typos. The only correct version is ""an unthinkable"". Ensuring the correct use of 'an' before vowel sounds is crucial for professional and clear writing. For more variety in your descriptions, consider using synonyms such as ""an unimaginable"" or ""an inconceivable"".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an unthinkable

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

an unimaginable

Describes something that cannot be imagined, using correct grammar.

an inconceivable

Stronger synonym implying that a concept is impossible to even grasp.

an implausible

Suggests that something is unlikely or not believable.

an impossible

A more direct adjective for things that cannot happen.

a nightmare

Uses a noun phrase to describe a terrible and unthinkable situation.

an absurd

Focuses on the lack of logic or the ridiculous nature of the event.

an outrageous

Emphasizes that the unthinkable act is also shocking or offensive.

a horrific

Highlights the terror or pain associated with the unthinkable event.

a shocking

Focuses on the surprise and impact of the event.

FAQs

Is it correct to say "a unthinkable"?

No, it is not correct. Because 'unthinkable' starts with a vowel sound, you must use "an unthinkable".

Why do some sources show "a unthinkable"?

Instances of "a unthinkable" in publications like The Guardian are typically typographical errors or OCR mistakes. Standard English always requires "an unthinkable".

What is a better word for "an unthinkable"?

Depending on the context, you can use more precise adjectives like "an unimaginable" or "an inconceivable".

When should I use 'a' before a word starting with 'u'?

You should use 'a' only when the 'u' sounds like 'you' (a consonant 'y' sound), such as in "a university" or "a useful" tool.