inconceivably small

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "inconceivably small" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is so small that it is difficult to imagine or comprehend its size. Example: "The particles in the experiment were inconceivably small, making them challenging to detect with standard equipment."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

ON A human scale, an atom is inconceivably small.

The Economist

Your living room — and it doesn't matter who "you" are, because "you" could be anybody, except for a handful of people like me — the living room you are most familiar with, in your own house, is (to me) inconceivably small, of course.

The New Yorker

A gun culture that makes the whole knife attack thing seem inconceivably small by comparison.

Vice

For example, the 1846 textbook The University Arithmetic explains, ".999 +, continued to infinity = 1, because every annexation of a 9 brings the value closer to 1"; the 1895 Arithmetic for Schools says, "...when a large number of 9s is taken, the difference between 1 and.99999... becomes inconceivably small".

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Bush's poll numbers are almost inconceivably low; he's heading into Truman territory.

The New Yorker

For example, she disparages the lifestyles of those in Turkey describing them as "the vilest of the vile, unprogressive, unambitious, and inconceivably low…[Turkey is an] effete and immobile civilization" (VAJC, 54).

SEP

We find it impossible to deny that complex life forms emerged from simpler ones; that mental events are inseparable from (even if they can't be reduced to) the operations of the brain; that the earth is a very small part, and far from the center, of an inconceivably vast universe.

Huffington Post

These days, alas, Cowell is rather diminished – but so is our politics (almost inconceivably, given how shocking things were before).

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Inconceivably, Collingwood missed the memo.

The Guardian - Sport

Inconceivably, the first few dates are already sold out.

Independent

What happened during the inconceivably prolonged waiting period is irrelevant.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing something as "inconceivably small", ensure the context clearly establishes a reference point to emphasize the extreme scale difference.

Common error

Avoid using multiple intensifiers with "inconceivably small", such as "absolutely inconceivably small", as it can sound redundant and weaken the impact. Choose one strong descriptor.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "inconceivably small" functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun, typically to emphasize the extreme degree of smallness. As shown in Ludwig, it is used to describe sizes that are difficult to grasp or imagine. It highlights a quality beyond typical understanding.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "inconceivably small" is a grammatically sound and infrequently used expression, used to describe something of such minuscule size that it defies easy comprehension. It is primarily found in news media, scientific writing, and encyclopedic contexts. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and suitable for written English. Consider alternatives like "unimaginably tiny" or "infinitesimally small" for stylistic variation, depending on what nuances are important. When using "inconceivably small", ensure the context creates a strong reference point to emphasize the scale.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Unimaginably tiny

Emphasizes the difficulty in imagining the smallness.

Infinitesimally small

Highlights the extremely small quantity or degree.

Immeasurably small

Focuses on the inability to measure the smallness.

Extremely minute

Uses a more formal term for very small.

Microscopically small

Relates the size to what can be seen with a microscope.

Remarkably tiny

Stresses the notable smallness.

Exceptionally small

Highlights that it's outside of the normal range.

Incredibly small

Emphasizes the almost unbelievable smallness.

Unfathomably small

Uses a more abstract term to denote beyond comprehension.

A speck

Uses simple language to describe a very tiny thing.

FAQs

How can I use "inconceivably small" in a sentence?

You can use "inconceivably small" to describe something so minute it's hard to imagine, such as, "The size of an atom is "inconceivably small"".

What are some alternatives to "inconceivably small"?

Alternatives include "unimaginably tiny", "infinitesimally small", or "immeasurably small". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "inconceivably small" in formal writing?

Yes, "inconceivably small" is appropriate for formal writing, especially in scientific or technical contexts where precision is important. However, consider your audience and whether a simpler term might be more effective.

What is the difference between "inconceivably small" and "very small"?

"Very small" is a general term, while "inconceivably small" emphasizes that the size is beyond comprehension. Use "inconceivably small" when you want to highlight the extreme nature of the smallness.