is it conceivable that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is it conceivable that" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the possibility or plausibility of a certain idea or scenario. Example: "Is it conceivable that we could find a solution to this problem within the next week?"

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

44 human-written examples

If the court of public opinion could be held to the standard of reasonable doubt, then someone would have to ask its jury this question: is it conceivable that the Tsarnaev brothers were not the marathon bombers but, once they knew they were the suspects, they decided to run?

The Guardian - Books

Now, is it conceivable that even so, these banks could go wrong in ways that Swedish regulators have not considered?

The Economist

And not only is it conceivable that the Bush administration and Congress would support such a program, it is essential that they do.

The New York Times

In other words, is it conceivable that California runs afoul of the Constitution, but a state like Mississippi, which offers same-sex couples no real rights, does not?

The Guardian - Opinion

Either a sick joke or sick insult to German generosity http://t.co/j0h4XHQZsF In the same deluded way, is it conceivable that Saudi seriously thinks MOSQUES will contribute to the welfare of the migrants in Germany?

Independent

The question is this: is it conceivable that Heyneke Meyer's side, not wholly dissimilar to Kitch Christie's victorious vintage in the way they are set up, will perform the same kind of miracle against opponents blessed with all the attacking talents?

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

16 human-written examples

Many years later, I wrote: "Is it conceivable that if the British could have been a population of viewers - of television viewers instead of newspaper readers - is it conceivable they would have just shaken their heads and gone to the railway stations, as they did, to wave their boys off on the troop trains?' So, the first thing I felt was, "This is a war.

The Guardian - Books

"If that is dismantled, it is conceivable that Nato and the EU could collapse too".

Independent

How conceivable is it that people really use these words?

Huffington Post

If that is mirrored in punter activity, it is conceivable that it will go as short as Red Rum.

The Guardian - Sport

"Once the AIIB has actually been established it's conceivable that we would co-operate".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "is it conceivable that" to introduce speculative questions, especially when evaluating potential scenarios or outcomes in analytical writing. For example, "Is it conceivable that the new policy will lead to increased productivity?"

Common error

Avoid using "is it conceivable that" as a mere introduction to a statement. It should introduce a genuine question or an exploration of possibilities, not a disguised assertion. Instead of saying "Is it conceivable that the project will be successful? The answer is yes," consider a more direct statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is it conceivable that" functions as an interrogative phrase used to introduce a question about the possibility or plausibility of a situation. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage in various contexts. This expression typically seeks to explore potential scenarios or challenge existing assumptions.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "is it conceivable that" is a versatile interrogative tool used to explore the plausibility of various scenarios across a spectrum of contexts. According to Ludwig AI, its grammatical correctness and common usage are well-established. Predominantly found in News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business domains, it balances formality with accessibility. While alternatives like "is it possible that" exist, "is it conceivable that" uniquely emphasizes imagination and consideration. Be sure to use it to spark meaningful reflection and discussion, while avoiding overuse in declarative contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is it possible that

Replaces "conceivable" with "possible", indicating a general sense of possibility.

is it likely that

Substitutes "conceivable" with "likely", suggesting a higher degree of probability.

is it imaginable that

Replaces "conceivable" with "imaginable", focusing on the capacity to envision something.

can we assume that

Shifts the focus to assumption, questioning whether something can be taken for granted.

is there a chance that

Emphasizes the presence of an opportunity or possibility, however small.

could it be that

Expresses a sense of wonder or surprise regarding a certain situation.

is it within the realm of possibility that

Formally expresses the idea of something being possible.

might it happen that

Suggests a hypothetical event or occurrence.

is it reasonable to believe that

Focuses on whether there are logical grounds to accept something as true.

what are the odds that

Directly inquires about the statistical probability of an event.

FAQs

How can I use "is it conceivable that" in a sentence?

Use "is it conceivable that" to introduce a question exploring a possibility or potential outcome. For example, "Is it conceivable that the company's profits will double next year?"

What can I say instead of "is it conceivable that"?

You can use alternatives like "is it possible that", "is it likely that", or "is it imaginable that" depending on the context.

Is "is it conceivable that" formal or informal?

"Is it conceivable that" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, though it leans slightly toward the formal side. It is frequently found in news, academic, and professional writing.

What's the difference between "is it conceivable that" and "is it possible that"?

While both phrases explore potential outcomes, "is it conceivable that" suggests a degree of imagination or plausibility, whereas "is it possible that" simply questions whether something can occur. "Conceivable" implies consideration, while "possible" denotes feasibility.