hardly conceivable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase “hardly conceivable” is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that is unlikely or almost unimaginable. For example, "It is hard to believe, but the amount of money that he won was hardly conceivable."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

27 human-written examples

Before the violence, the idea of "decentralising" Kosovo was hardly conceivable.

The Economist

It is hardly conceivable that is what the Scherzi are about.

The New York Times - Books

"That so horrible a scheme should have received official approval seems hardly conceivable," Mr. Hayward wrote.

The New York Times - Health

It's Moody's genius to know that the horror of a nuclear blast is hardly conceivable — but condensed milk?

The New York Times - Books

24a And it is hardly conceivable that the consequence of freeing the legislative branch from the restraint of the executive veto would be the end of constitutional government.

Cornell University

To Martin it's hardly conceivable that Flint should have some other reason for writing than to salve a psychic wound with public recognition.

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

33 human-written examples

Hardly seems conceivable, but.

The New York Times

A bold sitcom, original and yet hugely popular – it hardly seems conceivable in this rubbish modern age of TV comedy.

The Guardian

Development and optimization of electronic devices in industrial and academic environments would hardly be conceivable without the numerical simulation of their processing and electronic behavior.

Thin Solid Films

September 11th is obviously at the heart of Giuliani's candidacy, so much so that his campaign would hardly be conceivable without it.

The New Yorker

The radio signal from Rosetta came from 800m kilometres away, a distance made hardly more conceivable by its proximity to Jupiter.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "hardly conceivable", consider the context and ensure that the surrounding language supports the strong sense of improbability you are conveying. For instance, follow it with explanations or evidence that underscore why the situation is so improbable.

Common error

Avoid using "hardly conceivable" when a situation is merely unlikely but still within the realm of possibility. Overusing strong language can diminish its impact and credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hardly conceivable" functions as an adverbial intensifier modifying an adjective, in this case, "conceivable." It strengthens the sense of something being difficult to imagine or believe. As Ludwig AI suggests, the phrase is considered correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

39%

Academia

19%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "hardly conceivable" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to convey a sense of strong disbelief or improbability. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s considered correct and appropriate for use in written English. It is commonly found in news, scientific, and academic contexts, indicating its suitability for both general and specialized audiences. When using "hardly conceivable", ensure the context aligns with the strong sense of improbability you aim to express, and avoid overuse to maintain its impact. Alternatives such as "scarcely imaginable" or "virtually impossible" can be used for similar effect, depending on the specific nuance desired.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

scarcely imaginable

Emphasizes the difficulty in forming a mental image of something.

barely believable

Focuses on the lack of credibility or plausibility.

virtually impossible

Highlights the extreme unlikelihood of something happening.

almost unthinkable

Stresses the idea as being beyond consideration or acceptance.

difficult to imagine

Indicates a struggle to form a mental picture.

unlikely to happen

Directly states the low probability of an event.

remote possibility

Indicates a chance that is distant and improbable.

not easily envisioned

Emphasizes the challenge in picturing something.

borders on the impossible

Suggests nearing the realm of impossibility.

approaches incredibility

Indicates something nearing the point of being unbelievable.

FAQs

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

You can use "hardly conceivable" to express something that is difficult to imagine or believe. For example: "It's "hardly conceivable" that he would betray his own brother".

What can I say instead of "hardly conceivable"?

Alternatives to "hardly conceivable" include "scarcely imaginable", "barely believable", or "virtually impossible", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "hardly conceivable" in formal writing?

Yes, "hardly conceivable" is suitable for formal writing. It is often used in academic, scientific, and journalistic contexts to express a strong sense of improbability or disbelief.

What's the difference between "hardly conceivable" and "conceivable"?

"Conceivable" means possible to imagine or believe, whereas "hardly conceivable" indicates something is very difficult to imagine or believe. "Hardly" adds a sense of extreme unlikelihood.