hardly imaginable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "hardly imaginable" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is difficult to conceive or visualize, often due to its extreme nature or improbability. Example: "The scale of the universe is so vast that the distances between galaxies are hardly imaginable."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

Many countries still stick to prohibition.The votes in Colorado and Washington were hardly imaginable ten years ago and make deeper change likely.

The Economist

He was determined to develop his talent, which is how his life as an outlaw took an unusual, hardly imaginable turn.

The New York Times - Magazine

Across the country, particularly at larger companies, transgender workers are being protected and assisted in ways that were hardly imaginable a few years ago.

The New York Times

I had never given much thought to what I might be when I was "grown up" — growing up was hardly imaginable — but now I knew: I wanted to be a chemist.

The New Yorker

The quest for spiritual fulfillment has moved away from church and into the secular world, where prayer and religious yearnings are displayed more publicly than ever -- in a fashion that was hardly imaginable a quarter-century ago.

The New York Times - Books

When I lived in Chelsea in the late 50s and early 60s, our street was a designated "play street", so the only cars in it were those of our neighbours, which is hardly imaginable nowadays.

The Guardian - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

A more humourless folk are scarcely imaginable.

The Economist

Afterward, he's hardly an imaginable, or a bearable, human being.

The New Yorker

And now they're angry, in ways that once hardly seemed imaginable.

Huffington Post

As for the group kind, there is hardly a disorder imaginable that does not have its suffering members.

The New York Times

They were the least naïve people imaginable and they were hardly weak.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "hardly imaginable", ensure that the context clearly establishes what makes the subject difficult to conceive. Providing specific details or comparisons can enhance clarity and impact.

Common error

Avoid using "hardly imaginable" when describing situations that are merely surprising or unexpected. Reserve it for scenarios that genuinely stretch the limits of possibility or comprehension.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hardly imaginable" functions as an adverbial modifier intensifying the adjective "imaginable". It serves to emphasize the difficulty or near impossibility of conceiving something. Ludwig's examples show it describing situations ranging from historical shifts to abstract concepts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Social Media

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "hardly imaginable" is a grammatically correct and relatively common phrase used to describe something difficult to conceive or visualize. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is found in various contexts, from news and media to scientific discourse. While generally neutral in tone, it should be reserved for situations that genuinely challenge comprehension, avoiding overuse in merely surprising scenarios. Alternatives like "scarcely conceivable" or "barely believable" can provide nuanced variations of this expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

scarcely conceivable

This alternative uses "scarcely" instead of "hardly" and "conceivable" instead of "imaginable", resulting in a slightly more formal tone.

virtually unthinkable

This alternative emphasizes the impossibility of the situation using "virtually" and "unthinkable".

barely believable

This phrase replaces "imaginable" with "believable" which emphasizes the aspect of credibility rather than visualization.

almost impossible to picture

This alternative is more descriptive, using "almost impossible" to strengthen the unlikelihood and "picture" to emphasize visualization.

nearly incomprehensible

This phrase focuses on the lack of understanding, making it fitting when describing complex or abstract ideas.

difficult to comprehend

This phrase shifts the focus to understanding rather than imagining, making it suitable for abstract concepts.

borders on the unbelievable

This phrase conveys the sense that something is so unlikely that it is almost impossible to believe.

not easily pictured

This alternative uses a more straightforward and less formal way to express the difficulty in visualizing something.

unlikely to envision

This phrase highlights the low probability of being able to envision a particular scenario or situation.

faintly imaginable

This contrasts "hardly imaginable" and suggests something that is just barely within the realm of possibility.

FAQs

What does "hardly imaginable" mean?

The phrase "hardly imaginable" describes something that is difficult to conceive of or visualize, often because it is very unlikely or extreme. It implies a significant barrier to understanding or believing something.

What can I say instead of "hardly imaginable"?

You can use alternatives like "scarcely conceivable", "barely believable", or "almost impossible to picture" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "hardly imaginable"?

Yes, the phrase "hardly imaginable" is grammatically correct and widely used in English. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides numerous examples of its usage.

What's the difference between "hardly imaginable" and "faintly imaginable"?

"Hardly imaginable" suggests something is very difficult to imagine, close to impossible. "Faintly imaginable" implies that something is just barely possible to imagine, suggesting a glimmer of possibility.