conceivable scenario

USAGE SUMMARY

"conceivable scenario" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used to refer to a possible or realistic situation that can be imagined or considered. Here is an example: "Before making a decision, it is important to carefully evaluate all conceivable scenarios in order to determine the best course of action."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

31 human-written examples

It's a conceivable scenario – it's happened before – but something tells me Gomez is different.

The Guardian - Film

Then list every conceivable scenario of what could have caused of the problem, no matter how remote.

The New York Times

Injury time began, with Q.P.R. thinking they'd beat Man City, and Man United thinking that, under any conceivable scenario, the league title was theirs.

The New Yorker

This strategy recognises the unavoidable fact that fossil fuels are essential to the economy, life and health, and will remain so for decades under any conceivable scenario.

The Guardian - Opinion

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

"There is no conceivable scenario in which he could have legally possessed a firearm, let alone concealed it on his person".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

29 human-written examples

"The archival cockroach will be a robust repository," Mr. Lanier wrote, "able to survive almost all conceivable scenarios".

The New York Times - Science

It is designed to meet the fundamental safety requirements of safe shutdown, safe decay heat removal and confinement of activity with no impact in public domain, and hence, no need for emergency planning under all conceivable scenarios.

Nuclear Engineering and Technology

The only conceivable scenarios for the conflict's outcome are dismally bleak.A victory for the regime of Bashar Assad would perpetuate a cruel dictatorship in a physically devastated, psychologically traumatised and politically isolated land.

The Economist

Trump's incorrect reference to the Comey memo as a "leak" does not necessarily mean that releasing the memo was lawful, Shugerman cautioned, pointing to seven conceivable scenarios under which Comey's release of the memo could present a legal hazard.

The Guardian

(The boundaries between conceivable scenarios are fluid).

European Journal of Futures Research

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In academic or scientific writing, use "conceivable scenario" to introduce hypothetical situations or models for analysis.

Common error

Avoid using "conceivable scenario" to describe situations that are highly improbable or defy logic. This phrase implies a degree of realism and should be reserved for possibilities that are genuinely plausible.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "conceivable scenario" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often used to introduce a possible or imaginable situation. It's used to present an event that could occur, as illustrated by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "conceivable scenario" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase used to describe a situation that is possible to imagine or consider as realistic. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is well-suited for introducing hypothetical situations across a variety of contexts. While the phrase appears most frequently in news and media and scientific writing, it maintains a neutral tone suitable for both formal and informal communication. When using this phrase, remember to reserve it for genuinely plausible situations rather than highly improbable or unrealistic possibilities. Consider alternatives like "plausible situation" or "realistic possibility" to fine-tune the nuance of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

plausible situation

Replaces "conceivable" with "plausible", suggesting a situation that's believable or likely.

realistic possibility

Uses "realistic" instead of "conceivable", emphasizing the practicality and likelihood of the event.

possible eventuality

Substitutes "scenario" with "eventuality", referring to a potential outcome.

imaginable circumstance

Replaces "conceivable scenario" with a focus on circumstances that can be imagined.

thinkable situation

Emphasizes that the scenario is something that can be thought of or considered.

credible development

Highlights the believability of the scenario's unfolding.

likely prospect

Focuses on the probability of the scenario happening.

feasible outcome

Highlights the achievability or practicality of the result.

predictable circumstance

Focuses on the ease with which the scenario could have been predicted.

foreseeable event

Highlights the predictability and the fact that one could see it coming.

FAQs

What does "conceivable scenario" mean?

A "conceivable scenario" refers to a situation or event that is possible to imagine or consider as realistic, even if it hasn't happened yet.

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

You might say, "It's a "conceivable scenario" that interest rates could rise next year, prompting a market correction."

What are some alternatives to "conceivable scenario"?

Alternatives include "plausible situation", "realistic possibility", or "possible eventuality" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "conceivable scenario" formal or informal?

"Conceivable scenario" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, though it is often found in more analytical or descriptive writing.