impossible to believe

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "impossible to believe" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing skepticism or doubt about the truth of a statement or situation. Example: "The story he told was so outrageous that it seemed impossible to believe."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

It's entirely impossible to believe.

The New York Times

Naturally, this seems impossible to believe.

The New York Times

That is almost impossible to believe.

The New York Times

I found it impossible to believe.

The New York Times - Magazine

I find that impossible to believe.

The New York Times

The transformation is almost impossible to believe.

The New York Times

Now it is almost impossible to believe.

The New Yorker

It's almost impossible to believe".

The New York Times - Sports

It is astonishing, almost impossible to believe".

The New York Times - Books

(Maliki denied this, saying, "It is impossible to believe Shawani").

The New Yorker

Impossible to believe it has been 5 years.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "impossible to believe" when you want to express a strong sense of disbelief, especially when encountering surprising or extraordinary information. Ensure that the context clearly indicates what you find hard to accept.

Common error

Avoid using "impossible to believe" for minor inconveniences or slight exaggerations; reserve it for situations that genuinely challenge credibility. Overusing it diminishes its impact and can make your writing sound hyperbolic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "impossible to believe" functions primarily as an adjectival phrase that modifies a noun or pronoun, expressing a strong sense of disbelief or incredulity. As Ludwig AI highlights, it is used to convey that something is very difficult or perhaps completely unacceptable to accept as true. Examples show its use across diverse contexts, emphasizing its versatility.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

88%

Science

6%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "impossible to believe" is a common and grammatically correct way to express strong disbelief. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is frequently used across diverse contexts, especially in news and media. While alternatives like "hard to believe" or "unbelievable" exist, "impossible to believe" carries a particular emphasis on the incredulity of the statement. When writing, remember to reserve this phrase for situations that genuinely challenge credibility to maintain its impact and avoid overuse.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hard to believe

A more common and direct way of saying something is difficult to accept.

difficult to believe

Emphasizes the challenge in accepting something as true.

unbelievable

Shorter, more emphatic, expressing strong disbelief.

beyond belief

Indicates something exceeds the limits of what one can accept as true.

inconceivable

Highlights the idea that something is beyond comprehension or possibility.

unthinkable

Suggests something is so shocking or unlikely it cannot be imagined.

defies belief

Strongly suggests something cannot be accepted as true, going against what is believable.

strains credulity

Implies something tests or exceeds the limits of what is believable.

beggars belief

Emphasizes the extreme nature of something that is hard to accept.

passes understanding

Focuses on the incomprehensibility of a situation.

FAQs

How can I use "impossible to believe" in a sentence?

You can use "impossible to believe" to express disbelief or skepticism about something. For example: "It's "impossible to believe" he would betray his friends."

What are some alternatives to saying "impossible to believe"?

Alternatives include "hard to believe", "difficult to believe", "unbelievable", or "inconceivable". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "not possible to believe" instead of "impossible to believe"?

While grammatically sound, "not possible to believe" is less idiomatic and impactful than ""impossible to believe"". The latter is a more common and natural expression.

What's the difference between "difficult to believe" and "impossible to believe"?

"Difficult to believe" suggests something is hard to accept but still potentially true, while ""impossible to believe"" implies a stronger sense of disbelief, suggesting the statement is likely false.