barely conceivable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "barely conceivable" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is difficult to imagine or understand, often due to its improbability or complexity. Example: "The idea of a world without technology seems barely conceivable in today's society."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Sport

Books

Opinion

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

38 human-written examples

It was a barely conceivable success.

The Guardian - Sport

A silver lining seems barely conceivable, yet there was one.

The Guardian - Music

Twelve months ago, this would have been barely conceivable.

The Guardian

(One of his biographers observed of "4D Time Lock" that "worse prose is barely conceivable").

The New Yorker

On this evidence, it is barely conceivable that those in blue had hoisted the trophy only 16 months ago.

The Guardian - Sport

I sprayed on to the cardboard tab supplied what the author describes as "a stench barely conceivable to us modern men and women".

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

22 human-written examples

But it was a prediction, not a statement of fact, and it's conceivable (barely) that Trump's people actually believed it.

The New York Times

In a conspiratorial universe, it's conceivable, barely, that the Grammy Awards have learned some perverse strategies from the likes of Steely Dan.

The New York Times - Arts

Hardly seems conceivable, but.

The New York Times

Two dealers, who are barely adults, are arrested while stoned users crawl from every conceivable space into the building's courtyard.

Vice

Its ratings were always in the modest-to-poor range, low enough that it would have barely broken the Top 200 on broadcast television and by all conceivable measures would have been canceled before its first season was finished, but at the center of the show's fervent core audience were many of HBO's top people.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "barely conceivable" to express a situation that is so unlikely or unprecedented that it's difficult to imagine, but not entirely impossible. It is suitable when highlighting the unexpectedness of a scenario.

Common error

Avoid using "barely conceivable" when describing situations that are truly impossible. This phrase implies a very low probability, not a zero probability. Use stronger terms like "impossible" or "inconceivable" for the latter.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "barely conceivable" functions as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun to describe something that is difficult to imagine or believe. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is commonly used to express a situation that stretches the limits of possibility.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Sport

13%

Books

8%

Less common in

Science

5%

Opinion

5%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "barely conceivable" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase to describe situations that are difficult to imagine or believe. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage. While it appears most frequently in news and media contexts, its neutral register makes it suitable for diverse applications. Remember to use this phrase when you want to highlight the improbability of a situation, but avoid using it for something that is entirely impossible.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

barely possible

Similar to the original, but emphasizes the possibility aspect.

hardly imaginable

Emphasizes the difficulty in forming a mental image or concept.

scarcely believable

Highlights the difficulty in accepting something as true.

borderline unimaginable

Implies that something is very close to being impossible to imagine.

difficult to fathom

Stresses the challenge in understanding something complex or profound.

nearly unthinkable

Highlights the unacceptability or strangeness of an idea.

almost impossible

Indicates a near-impossibility, with a slight chance remaining.

unlikely

Indicates a low probability of something happening or being true.

remotely possible

Suggests a very slight chance of something occurring.

faintly possible

Similar to "remotely possible", indicating a slim chance.

FAQs

How can I use "barely conceivable" in a sentence?

The phrase "barely conceivable" is used to describe something that is hard to imagine or believe, often due to its improbability or unexpectedness. For example, "It was "barely conceivable" that they would win the championship after such a poor start to the season."

What are some alternatives to "barely conceivable"?

You can use alternatives such as "hardly imaginable", "scarcely believable", or "almost impossible" depending on the context and the degree of incredulity you wish to express.

Is it correct to say "barely conceivable"?

Yes, "barely conceivable" is a grammatically correct and widely used phrase in English. It effectively communicates a sense of something being on the edge of possibility or imagination.

What's the difference between "barely conceivable" and "inconceivable"?

"Barely conceivable" suggests that something is very difficult to imagine but not entirely impossible, while "inconceivable" implies that something is completely impossible or unimaginable. Therefore, "barely conceivable" suggests a slight chance, whereas "inconceivable" indicates no chance at all.