conceivable circumstance

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "conceivable circumstance" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing situations or events that can be imagined or thought of as possible. Example: "In any conceivable circumstance, we must be prepared to adapt our strategy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

There is no conceivable circumstance (short of criminality) under which the instant legalization would be revoked.

The Washington Post

Today's market ideology regards this substitution as desirable in every conceivable circumstance.

The New York Times

And if so, will we have landed in the one conceivable circumstance in which Bradley Wiggins doesn't become Sports Personality of the Year?

The Guardian - Sport

"When you've been singing as long as I have," Ms. Clooney said, "almost every conceivable circumstance that can happen, has happened.

The New York Times

In Washington these days, tax cuts are the solution to every conceivable circumstance — war or peace, surpluses or deficits, recession or boom.

The New Yorker

Have You Ever Sent A Louie? Tonight the industry devoted to making people feel better under every conceivable circumstance is giving itself some nice notes - tucked into envelopes, of course.

The New York Times - Style

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

Thompson, McCain, Paul, and Hunter at least avoided that humiliation, but only Hunter was willing to say out loud that there might conceivably be conceivable circumstances ("a national emergency") under which a tax increase might be conceivably warranted.

The New Yorker

Immanuel Kant (1724 1804) proposed that there are no conceivable circumstances in which lying is morally acceptable.

Encyclopedia Britannica

As Wittgenstein had already shown, the necessary truth of tautologies simply amounts to their being true under all conceivable circumstances.

Britannica

The uncertainty associated with inadvertent human intrusion needs to account for the complexity of various conceivable circumstances with the long-term evolution of society or technology.

Nuclear Engineering and Design

But there are no conceivable circumstances in which any Palestinian can concede their own history in favour of the Zionist narrative.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "conceivable circumstance", ensure that the context clearly indicates whether you are discussing a realistic possibility or a purely theoretical one.

Common error

Avoid using "conceivable circumstance" too frequently in formal writing. While grammatically correct, overuse can make your writing sound repetitive. Vary your language by using synonyms like "possible scenario" or "plausible event" where appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "conceivable circumstance" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often used to specify or limit the scope of a statement. Ludwig AI confirms it's about discussing imaginable situations. It identifies events or conditions that are within the realm of possibility, whether likely or not.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

30%

Science

30%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "conceivable circumstance" is a grammatically sound and usable term to describe situations that are imaginable or possible. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s about discussing something that can be thought of. While not overly common, it finds usage across various contexts, including news, academia, and scientific writing. When employing this phrase, ensure the context clarifies whether you are referring to a realistic or theoretical situation. Be mindful of overuse, especially in formal writing; alternatives like "possible situation" or "imaginable scenario" can help avoid repetition. Understanding the subtle differences between "conceivable circumstance" and related phrases, such as "likely circumstance", will allow you to use language with precision and nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

possible situation

Focuses on the possibility of a situation occurring.

imaginable scenario

Emphasizes the capacity to imagine a particular sequence of events.

plausible event

Highlights the believability or likelihood of an event.

thinkable case

Suggests a situation that can be considered or contemplated.

credible instance

Indicates an occurrence that is believable or trustworthy.

foreseeable development

Points to an event that could be anticipated or predicted.

predictable outcome

Stresses the ability to anticipate the result of a sequence of actions.

likely eventuality

Emphasizes the probability of a certain result coming to pass.

potential occurrence

Focuses on the chance or prospect of something taking place.

reasonable expectation

Underlines the sense that something is fair or justifiable to expect.

FAQs

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

You can use "conceivable circumstance" to refer to a situation that can be imagined or considered possible. For example, "Under no "conceivable circumstance" should you share your password."

What are some alternatives to "conceivable circumstance"?

Alternatives include "possible situation", "imaginable scenario", or "plausible event". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it redundant to say "any conceivable circumstance"?

While not strictly redundant, "any conceivable circumstance" can sometimes be streamlined to simply "any circumstance" if the context already implies that all possibilities are being considered. However, using "conceivable" can add emphasis.

What's the difference between "conceivable circumstance" and "likely circumstance"?

"Conceivable circumstance" refers to any situation that can be imagined, regardless of how probable it is. "Likely circumstance", on the other hand, refers to a situation that is probable or expected to happen. Therefore, a "likely circumstance" is also a "conceivable circumstance", but not all "conceivable circumstances" are "likely circumstances".