incredible tale

USAGE SUMMARY

"incredible tale" is a correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in a variety of contexts, but it is typically used to describe a story or narrative that is hard to believe or seems unbelievable. Example: "The author's book is filled with incredible tales of adventure and mystery, leaving readers on the edge of their seats until the very end."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

28 human-written examples

That added another chapter to his incredible tale.

The Guardian - Opinion

But there is more to this incredible tale than just love.

The New Yorker

Angus MacQueen's film revisits an incredible tale that no hack matinee writer would dare invent.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

You have to see the film, it really is an incredible tale.

The Guardian

Nobody featured in this incredible tale is still alive except Shaw, the assistant golf pro who says he overheard everything.

The New York Times

Their World Tour, however, is easily the greatest, most incredible tale in their history.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

32 human-written examples

When I first tried sushi in Tokyo in the fall of 1977, I thought of myself as an intrepid culinary adventurer who, if he survived the experience, would return to America to tell the incredible, unbelievable tale of the day he ate raw fish on rice balls.

The New York Times - Books

In a lighter vein, Aleko Konstantinov created in Bay Ganyu (1895; subtitled "Incredible Tales of a Contemporary Bulgarian [on his European Travels and at Home]") a tragi-comic prototype of the Bulgarian peasant turned parvenu and demagogue.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The stories have been amazing, but one of the most incredible tales of growth and success I've yet to hear lies with Redbeacon.

TechCrunch

We know that this is unreal because such a combination is physically impossible: horses and human beings mature at different rates, for example, and eat different foods (see Lucretius 5.878 91; cf. Palaephatus On Incredible Tales 20).

SEP

Josh Gates of the Destination Truth TV show, an intrepid traveler if I've ever seen one, told incredible tales about adventures in far off places.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "incredible tale", consider the audience and context. While it's suitable for news and general storytelling, academic or formal writing might benefit from a more precise or nuanced adjective.

Common error

Avoid using "incredible tale" in academic or business writing where precision and objectivity are paramount. Opt for more formal alternatives like "remarkable account" or "noteworthy narrative" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "incredible tale" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where "incredible" is an adjective modifying the noun "tale". It describes the type of story being told, highlighting its extraordinary or unbelievable nature. Ludwig AI confirms this usage is correct and common.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Encyclopedias

6%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Science

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "incredible tale" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe a remarkable or unbelievable story. As Ludwig AI confirms, its primary function is to engage the audience by highlighting the extraordinary nature of the narrative. While predominantly found in news and media contexts, it’s essential to consider the audience and context when writing. In more formal settings, alternatives such as "remarkable narrative" or "extraordinary account" may be more appropriate. Be mindful of overuse and strive for precise and impactful language to maintain reader engagement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

astonishing story

Replaces 'tale' with 'story' emphasizing the narrative aspect, and 'incredible' with 'astonishing', highlighting the surprise element.

remarkable narrative

Replaces 'tale' with 'narrative', giving a more formal tone, and 'incredible' with 'remarkable', which suggests worthiness of attention.

unbelievable story

Substitutes 'incredible' with 'unbelievable' to directly indicate the difficulty in accepting the narrative as true.

extraordinary account

Uses 'extraordinary' instead of 'incredible', stressing how the account is out of the ordinary and replaces 'tale' with 'account'.

amazing yarn

Replaces 'tale' with 'yarn', adding an informal and folksy feel, and 'incredible' with 'amazing'.

implausible narrative

Replaces 'incredible' with 'implausible', highlighting the doubtful quality of the narrative, and 'tale' with 'narrative'.

outstanding story

Replaces 'incredible' with 'outstanding' to emphasize the story's high quality and impact.

surprising account

Changes 'incredible' to 'surprising', focusing on the element of unexpectedness in the account, and replaces 'tale' with 'account'.

fantastic story

Replaces 'incredible' with 'fantastic', which can imply either disbelief or great admiration, and uses 'story' instead of 'tale'.

noteworthy narrative

Substitutes 'incredible' with 'noteworthy' to indicate that the narrative is worth taking note of, and replaces 'tale' with 'narrative'.

FAQs

What does "incredible tale" mean?

The phrase "incredible tale" refers to a story or narrative that is remarkable, extraordinary, or hard to believe due to its unusual or surprising nature. It often implies a sense of wonder or amazement.

What can I say instead of "incredible tale"?

You can use alternatives like "astonishing story", "remarkable narrative", or "unbelievable story" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "incredible tale" in formal writing?

While "incredible tale" is widely understood, it might be too informal for academic or business contexts. Consider using alternatives like "noteworthy narrative" or "extraordinary account" for a more professional tone.

How can the impact of an "incredible tale" be enhanced?

To enhance the impact of an "incredible tale", focus on vivid descriptions, emotional depth, and a compelling narrative structure. Consider building suspense and highlighting the extraordinary elements of the story.