incalculably

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "incalculably" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that cannot be measured or quantified, often in terms of extent or degree. Example: "The impact of climate change on future generations is incalculably vast and complex."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Euro-zone paralysis would be incalculably more dangerous, he says.The diplomatic consequences of a crumbling euro are perilous too.

The Economist

Hundreds of millions more stand to join them.In this section Rich man, poor man A good start Browne out Don't shoot the messenger One less brick in the wall Spurning an olive branch Reprints Related items Economics focus: The great unbundlingJan 18th 2007 Trade's victims: In the shadow of prosperityJan 18th 2007That promises to improve the lot of humanity as a whole incalculably.

The Economist

Both would lose incalculably from war.The best way to turn China into an opponent is to treat it as one.

The Economist

At the top end of the range well, guesses about what the world would look like then read rather like science fiction.Although the benefits of averting that sort of catastrophe are incalculably large, the costs of doing so should not be enormous as little as 1% of global output, if policy is well designed (see our special report).

The Economist

As does a little something we call "the Senate", and that mysterious but nevertheless incalculably precious institution known as "the electoral college".

The Economist

Both profited incalculably from the relationship.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Yet the story depends not on close-knit intrigue but on showing the incalculably diffusive effect of the unhistoric acts of those who "lived faithfully a hidden life and rest in unvisited tombs".

Encyclopedia Britannica

All the candidates are either established second-raters or unknown quantities, while the problems they face are incalculably more immense.

Independent

The social milieu that produced him has changed incalculably – though still not nearly enough – and the  g-g-generation that drew its inspiration from the Real Guys (the generation of Eric Clapton and Johnny Winter) is itself now severely depleted, with the survivors counting the grey hairs in their beards.

Independent

It must be incalculably bizarre to have two such men as possible fathers.

Independent

Only obsequious words about Blatter's forced exit – "a difficult decision, a brave decision" – which reinforced the impression that a new Fifa needs incalculably more moral fibre than this.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "incalculably" to emphasize that something is so large, complex, or abstract that it defies precise measurement or estimation. This adds a layer of emphasis beyond simply saying something is "very large" or "important."

Common error

Avoid using "incalculably" in contexts where a simple adjective like "very" or "extremely" would suffice. Overusing it can make your writing sound pretentious or overly formal when not necessary.

Linguistic Context

The adverb "incalculably" primarily functions to modify adjectives or adverbs, emphasizing the immeasurable or unquantifiable nature of the quality being described. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable grammatical status.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Encyclopedias

12%

Science

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Academia

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The adverb "incalculably" serves to emphasize the immeasurable or unquantifiable aspect of something, primarily modifying adjectives or adverbs. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely used, particularly in News & Media, Encyclopedias and Science. While it adds emphasis and formality, it should be used judiciously to avoid sounding pretentious. Consider synonyms like "immeasurably" or "infinitely" to provide variety. Authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Guardian frequently employ "incalculably", solidifying its place in formal writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to an incalculable degree

Rephrases "incalculably" using a more verbose structure, adding emphasis through its length.

immeasurably

Emphasizes the inability to measure something, focusing on the lack of quantifiable limits.

infinitely

Suggests a limitless extent or degree, highlighting the boundless nature of something.

beyond measure

Directly states that something cannot be measured, emphasizing its extreme or exceptional quality.

vastly

Implies a very great extent or quantity, focusing on the large scale involved.

immensely

Indicates a great degree or intensity, highlighting the substantial impact of something.

beyond estimation

Highlights the inability to estimate something accurately, stressing the lack of precise knowledge.

boundlessly

Suggests something without limits or boundaries, emphasizing its unrestricted nature.

limitlessly

Similar to "boundlessly", but stresses the absence of any imposed restrictions or constraints.

unfathomably

Suggests something is impossible to fully understand or comprehend, relating to its complexity or depth.

FAQs

How can I use "incalculably" in a sentence?

The word "incalculably" is used to describe something that is impossible or extremely difficult to calculate or measure. For example, "The benefits of this discovery are "incalculably vast"".

What are some alternatives to "incalculably"?

Alternatives to "incalculably" include "immeasurably", "infinitely", "vastly", and "immensely". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "incalculably small"?

Yes, it is correct. "Incalculably small" means something is so small that it is practically impossible to measure or account for. Ludwig provides examples of "incalculably small" being used in well-regarded publications.

What is the difference between "incalculably" and "unfathomably"?

"Incalculably" refers to something that cannot be precisely measured or quantified, while "unfathomably" refers to something that cannot be fully understood or comprehended. Although they can sometimes be used interchangeably, "incalculably" emphasizes measurement, and "unfathomably" emphasizes understanding.