is it imaginable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is it imaginable" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when questioning the feasibility or possibility of a concept or idea being conceived in one's mind. Example: "Is it imaginable that we could live on another planet within the next century?"

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

More concretely, is it imaginable that somehow we could design an experiment such that the outcome is either that space is discrete or that space is continuous?

SEP

Is it imaginable that the cup of nomination might be torn from Barack Obama's lips?

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Was it imaginable that Hindus, Buddhists, Jesuits and Jews could live in amity?

The New York Times - Arts

Yet ending deforestation in the Amazon would be in Brazil's interest, and many Brazilians are demanding it, which is why it is now imaginable.It will not be at the expense of Brazilian farmers.

The Economist

It is imaginable that its mutation to weak polar cysteine causes the absence of the pivotal positive charge and lead to interference of electrostatic balance on the protein surface.

Chinese Journal of Cancer

Curiously this gene encodes an effector protein that elicits plant responses so it is imaginable that parts of it have been transferred from bacteria to eukaryotes or vice versa.

Biology Direct

It is scarcely imaginable that he will sanction such a decision.

The Guardian

Jordan, the corporal, has a face that looks so first world war it is barely imaginable in a modern context.

The Guardian - Travel

But it is scarcely imaginable that the author of Monday's dissenting opinion would change the perspective with which his life story has endowed him.

The New York Times

It is also imaginable that users can define a time for regular feedback as well as to select which loads to monitor.

EURASIP Journal on Embedded Systems

While the number of allowed visits to Macao was marginally increased in recent years, it is also imaginable that they could subsequently be reduced.

City, Territory and Architecture

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "is it imaginable", ensure the context clearly defines what you are asking the reader to imagine. Provide sufficient details to make the scenario conceivable.

Common error

Avoid using "is it imaginable" in overly abstract or vague contexts. Ensure your question is grounded in specific details to make it more meaningful and easier to answer.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is it imaginable" functions as an interrogative expression used to question the possibility or feasibility of a concept or scenario. As Ludwig AI explains, it seeks to determine whether something can be conceived or envisioned.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

45%

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "is it imaginable" serves as an interrogative expression used to question the possibility or feasibility of a concept. While grammatically correct, according to Ludwig AI, it appears relatively infrequently in written English. The phrase is typically used in neutral contexts, spanning science, news, and formal discussions. Alternatives such as "is it conceivable" or "is it possible" can be used to achieve similar effects. When using this phrase, ensure the context makes the question specific and avoid being overly abstract.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is it conceivable

Replaces 'imaginable' with 'conceivable', suggesting something is capable of being conceived or believed.

is it possible

A direct substitute focusing on whether something can occur or be achieved.

is it feasible

Emphasizes the practicality and workability of an idea or plan.

can you envision

Shifts the focus to the ability to form a mental image of something.

is it thinkable

Highlights whether something can be considered or entertained as a possibility.

is it within the realm of possibility

Broadens the scope to include anything that might potentially happen.

could one conceive of

Formal phrasing that questions whether something is capable of being understood or believed.

is it within reason

Focuses on whether something is logical or justifiable.

can we expect

Implies anticipation and the likelihood of something occurring.

is there any chance

Questions the probability of something happening, even if remote.

FAQs

How can I use "is it imaginable" in a sentence?

Use "is it imaginable" to question the feasibility or possibility of a concept or idea being conceived. For example, "Is it imaginable that we could live on another planet within the next century?"

What's a more formal way to say "is it imaginable"?

For a more formal tone, consider using "is it conceivable". This alternative maintains the sense of possibility but with a slightly elevated level of formality.

What can I say instead of "is it imaginable" to emphasize practicality?

If you want to highlight practicality, use "is it feasible". This emphasizes whether something is realistically achievable.

How does "is it imaginable" differ from "is it possible"?

"Is it imaginable" focuses on the capacity to conceive or envision something, while "is it possible" focuses on whether something can occur or be achieved. The former relates to mental conception, the latter to actual occurrence.