conceivable

USAGE SUMMARY

'conceivable' is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use this word to describe something that is hypothetically possible or capable of being imagined. For example: "It is conceivable that humans could one day travel to the moon by rocket."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Collins said it was conceivable that lawyers acting for alleged victims would take legal action to compel police forces to hand over their files on Savile.

The Guardian

On Sunday, the Highland capital will give way to an open top bus parade; a barely conceivable scenario when two Highland League clubs amalgamated in 1994.

The Guardian - Sport

You may not, it is conceivable, be hyper-aware that 31 October 2014 is the inaugural World Cities Day.

The Guardian

Most children who come to the hospital do so through here, and the staff are drawn from a range of specialities to meet every conceivable need.

The Guardian

The one conceivable problem facing the show is that MTV isn't looking for a hit.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

What had begun, with Graham Dilley, as glorious mayhem - no more than do-or-die heroics - was now making a draw attainable by England, given some rain; he was even making victory conceivable.

The Guardian - Sport

It was conceivable that the world would end not in deliberate, calculated aggression, but in stupidity, mistakes, and men and machines run amok.

The Guardian

Amazon's superb, life-affirming dramedy Transparent is better by every conceivable measure, including height.

The Guardian

Fred Kirkham is listed in two Liverpool Courier accounts (here and here) as referee of two Merseyside derbies in October 1907 and April 1908, although it is conceivable that his name was confused with Tom Kirkham, an official active at the same time.

The Guardian - Sport

The point is that Europe is working together in a thrilling intellectual exploration that can have no conceivable commercial or political payoff but could, in some still intangible way, enlighten all humankind.

The Guardian - Opinion

The rioting at Ardoyne also involved dozens of molotov cocktails being thrown alongside every conceivable piece of debris the violent protestors could dig up around them.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "conceivable" when you want to emphasize that something is capable of being imagined or understood, even if it seems unlikely.

Common error

While "conceivable" is generally acceptable, avoid overuse in very formal writing. Alternatives like "plausible" or "feasible" might be more appropriate depending on the specific context.

Linguistic Context

The adjective "conceivable" functions primarily to describe something as capable of being imagined or understood. As Ludwig AI confirms, this word is appropriate for indicating possibility, aligning with examples where outcomes or scenarios are viewed as within the realm of thought.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Formal & Business

24%

Science

10%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the adjective "conceivable" is a grammatically correct and frequently used term to describe something that is capable of being imagined or understood. As Ludwig AI highlights, this word is appropriate for indicating a degree of possibility or imaginability in neutral and professional contexts. Though "conceivable" appears most often in News & Media, its usage extends to Formal & Business, and even Science. Alternatives such as "imaginable" or "possible" can be used depending on the nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

imaginable

Direct synonym; focuses on the ability to be imagined.

possible

A general term indicating something can occur or exist.

thinkable

Emphasizes the capacity for something to be thought of.

believable

Suggests something is capable of being believed.

credible

Implies something is worthy of belief or confidence.

within the realm of possibility

More verbose, but highlights the potential for something to happen.

within reason

Indicates something is logical and not excessive.

liable

Suggests something is likely to occur or happen.

potentially

An adverbial form indicating a capacity for development.

feasible

Highlights the practicality and workability of something.

FAQs

How can I use "conceivable" in a sentence?

You can use "conceivable" to indicate that something is possible or imaginable. For example, "It is conceivable that the project could be completed ahead of schedule."

What is a good synonym for "conceivable"?

A good synonym for "conceivable" is "imaginable", which also emphasizes the ability to be pictured or conceived in the mind.

Is "conceivable" the same as "possible"?

While similar, "conceivable" often implies a slightly lower probability than "possible". Something that is possible has a reasonable chance of occurring, whereas something that is conceivable is merely capable of being imagined.

Which is correct, "conceivable" or "believable"?

"Conceivable" means capable of being imagined, while "believable" means capable of being believed. The correct choice depends on whether you want to emphasize imaginability or credibility.