beyond all belief

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "beyond all belief" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express something that is so extraordinary or unbelievable that it surpasses what one can comprehend. Example: "The magician's final trick was beyond all belief, leaving the audience in stunned silence."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

It's gone beyond all belief in the last little spell.

The Guardian - Sport

Is Denton simply stressed beyond all belief or actually guilty?

The Guardian - TV & Radio

"That nearly 70 years later we should still be seeing such evil persecution is to me beyond all belief," he said.

The Guardian

Buy it at BOL If you fancy reciting rhyming couplets out loud and maybe impressing your children beyond all belief Three Tapping Teddies (A and C Black, £9.99) could be the investment of a lifetime.

The Guardian - Books

I was stunned beyond all belief.

Huffington Post

One can only imagine his world is a hermetically sealed thing, micromanaged beyond all belief.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

"Here, it's beyond belief.

The New York Times - Sports

What happened is beyond belief".

The New York Times - Sports

15 5 2 BEYOND BELIEF, by Elaine Pagels.

The New York Times - Books

To see them stunned is beyond belief".

The New York Times

5 4 6 BEYOND BELIEF, by Elaine Pagels.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "beyond all belief" to emphasize a high degree of incredulity or astonishment, making sure the context warrants such a strong expression.

Common error

Avoid using "beyond all belief" in everyday scenarios where simple surprise or disbelief would suffice. Overusing strong language weakens its impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "beyond all belief" functions as an intensifier, emphasizing the extreme nature of something that is difficult to accept as true. As Ludwig AI confirms, it expresses a sentiment that surpasses ordinary comprehension.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Wiki

10%

Science

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

2%

Encyclopedias

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "beyond all belief" is a phrase used to express a very strong sense of disbelief or astonishment. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage and the examples show it used across a variety of contexts, particularly in news and media. While grammatically sound, it should be used judiciously to avoid overstatement and maintain its impact. Consider alternatives like "unbelievable" or "incredible" for less emphatic situations. Despite not being 'very common' it is a useful phrase to emphasize the unexpected nature of events.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unbelievable

A more concise and direct way to express that something is difficult to believe.

incredible

Similar to 'unbelievable', but can also emphasize the positive or impressive nature of something.

hard to believe

A straightforward expression indicating difficulty in accepting something as true.

defies belief

Emphasizes that something is so extraordinary that it challenges one's ability to believe it.

past comprehension

Indicates that something is not only unbelievable but also difficult to understand.

beyond imagination

Suggests that something is so remarkable that it exceeds what one could imagine.

staggering

Highlights the overwhelming or astonishing nature of something.

mind-boggling

Emphasizes the bewildering or incomprehensible aspect of something.

astounding

A more formal way to describe something that causes great surprise or amazement.

unthinkable

Suggests that something is so unlikely or undesirable that it's hard to consider it a possibility.

FAQs

How can I use "beyond all belief" in a sentence?

Use "beyond all belief" to describe something that is extremely difficult to believe due to its surprising or extraordinary nature. For example, "The magician's final act was "beyond all belief"."

What phrases are similar to "beyond all belief"?

Alternatives to "beyond all belief" include "unbelievable", "incredible", or "hard to believe" depending on the context and desired level of emphasis.

Is "beyond all belief" formal or informal?

"Beyond all belief" can be used in both formal and informal contexts, though it's more common in news and media or general conversation than in highly formal academic writing. Consider your audience and the overall tone of your writing.

When is it appropriate to use "beyond all belief"?

Use "beyond all belief" when you want to express a strong sense of disbelief or amazement, usually in response to something unexpected, shocking, or exceptionally impressive. It's best suited for situations where the level of incredulity is truly significant.