inconceivable

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "inconceivable" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something is beyond belief or understanding. For example: The events of the past year have been almost inconceivable.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Inconceivable though it may seem, we must not discount the possibility of a universe where English cricket is not just going to be run a different shade of idiotically, as indicated by the apparent wild goose chase upon which Graves dispatched Pietersen as almost his first act within the job.

The Guardian - Sport

Rachel Andrew, principal clinical psychologist, children and young people's mental health, East Lancashire When I started in the NHS I thought it was inconceivable that I would ever leave, but I certainly don't feel like that any more.

The Guardian

It seems pretty inconceivable that this disparate band of parties could be part of a workable alliance, making the Labour-SNP option or a second election a surer bet.

The Guardian

His status has undergone a process of demounting that seemed inconceivable a few years.

The Guardian - Sport

It is inconceivable that a journalist visiting the blog could mistake them for ordinary blog posts.

The Guardian - Opinion

He said that if Turing were alive he would be working on threats from cyberspace, a clever way of co-opting the codebreaker and his achievements into surveillance programmes that would have been inconceivable to him.

The Guardian

Such is the nature of the Australia's potential batting lineup however, it is by no means inconceivable that were Swann not fit, then England would look for their alternative to the off-spin of James Tredwell before Monty Panesar's left arm.

The Guardian - Sport

But Tsonga accounted for Roger Federer at the same stage in 2013 and, if he can reproduce the form he showed against Berdych, it is not inconceivable he could set up a Paris rematch with the Swiss maestro.

The Guardian - Sport

Osborne says it is inconceivable that Scotland could have a financial sector anything like the one it has now if it pursued this option.

The Guardian

With just three games remaining, we had a legitimate chance of bringing home first place in Martin Madness – a previously inconceivable accomplishment.

The Guardian - Sport

While Bocanegra can't singlehandedly turn the club around, if he can contribute regularly on the field and if Chivas continue to make positive moves, it could be the start of a revival that was inconceivable just a week ago.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "inconceivable" to express strong disbelief or the impossibility of something being imagined or understood. It adds emphasis to your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "inconceivable" when you simply mean 'unlikely' or 'improbable.' "Inconceivable" implies a much stronger sense of impossibility and disbelief.

Linguistic Context

The word "inconceivable" functions primarily as an adjective. It modifies nouns to express that something is impossible to imagine or believe. Ludwig AI confirms that it is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "inconceivable" is a grammatically correct and frequently used adjective that conveys a strong sense of disbelief or impossibility. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a usable term in written English. The word is most commonly found in news and media contexts, as well as formal business writing. While it indicates a strong degree of impossibility, it's essential to avoid overusing it when a milder term like 'unlikely' would suffice. The related phrases like "unimaginable" or "unthinkable" offer similar but nuanced ways to express disbelief.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unimaginable

Emphasizes the difficulty to form a mental image or idea, making it similar in meaning but focusing on the imagination aspect.

unthinkable

Highlights the idea that something is beyond consideration or acceptance, making it morally or practically impossible.

impossible to believe

Focuses on the lack of credibility or plausibility, highlighting that something defies belief.

beyond comprehension

Stresses the inability to understand or grasp something, making it intellectually inaccessible.

out of the question

Indicates something is not allowed or possible, placing a firm restriction on its occurrence.

past belief

Implies that something exceeds the limits of what one can accept as true or real.

not a chance

Offers an informal expression of impossibility or lack of opportunity.

could never happen

States a strong conviction that an event will not occur.

defies imagination

Highlights the extreme nature of something that surpasses the ability to visualize or conceive.

unfathomable

Emphasizes the difficulty in understanding or discovering the meaning of something, making it mysterious and impenetrable.

FAQs

How can I use "inconceivable" in a sentence?

Use "inconceivable" to describe something difficult or impossible to imagine or believe. For example, "It's "inconceivable" that he would betray his friends".

What are some synonyms for "inconceivable"?

Alternatives to "inconceivable" include "unimaginable", "unthinkable", or "impossible to believe". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it correct to say 'not inconceivable'?

Yes, 'not inconceivable' means possible or plausible, although it's a weaker statement than saying something is 'possible'. It implies that something, while perhaps unlikely, is not entirely impossible.

What is the difference between "inconceivable" and "incomprehensible"?

"Inconceivable" means difficult to imagine or believe, while "incomprehensible" means impossible to understand. Something may be "incomprehensible" because it's too complex, whereas something is "inconceivable" because it's too far-fetched or unlikely.