is this conceivable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is this conceivable" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when questioning the possibility or plausibility of an idea or situation. Example: "Given the current circumstances, is this conceivable that we could achieve our goals by the end of the year?"

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Is this conceivable?

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

This is the conceivable mechanism for the observed positive effect of a high EIF on CO2 exchange.

Critical Care

In what conceivable sense is this not a serious scandal?

The Guardian - Opinion

The amazing thing is this: It's now quite conceivable that come January 2017, we will see Donald Trump inaugurated as president.

Huffington Post

We appreciate this concern and agree that this is a conceivable problem.

eLife

This is not conceivable unless there is evidence that this complex has an excess of electron density.

Biochemistry

It is conceivable this technology might also be used within the atmosphere to shorten journey times from one side of the globe to the other.

BBC

Fawcett wrote, "It is just conceivable this may be Z".

The New Yorker

That this is even conceivable is a sign of the party's woes.

The Economist

This is again conceivable because the availability of market information will reduce transaction costs to farmers in the search to find markets for farm produce and inputs.

Journal of Economic Structures

This is particularly conceivable as a true placebo-control is necessary to validate drug efficacy, but not available here.

Cardiovascular Diabetology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "is this conceivable" when you want to question the plausibility of a situation, especially when it seems unlikely but not entirely impossible. It's a useful phrase to introduce doubt or encourage further examination of an idea.

Common error

Avoid using "is this conceivable" when a situation is clearly impossible. The phrase implies a degree of possibility, however small, so using it in obviously impossible scenarios can sound unnatural or sarcastic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is this conceivable" functions as an interrogative expression used to question the possibility or plausibility of a situation. It seeks to determine whether something can be imagined or understood as being possible, although perhaps unlikely. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in questioning possibility.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

48%

News & Media

48%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "is this conceivable" is a grammatically sound and frequently used interrogative phrase to question the possibility or plausibility of an idea or situation. According to Ludwig AI, it's suitable for various contexts but particularly common in news and scientific domains. While interchangeable with "is this possible", "is this conceivable" adds a nuance of imaginability and assessment. Remember to consider this nuance when choosing the best phrase for your context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is this possible

Replaces "conceivable" with a more direct term for possibility. Less formal.

is this plausible

Focuses on the believability or likelihood of something.

is this likely

Emphasizes the probability of something occurring.

is this imaginable

Highlights the ability to form a mental image or concept.

is this feasible

Stresses the practicality and workability of an idea.

is this a possibility

Adds a noun phrase, emphasizing that something could happen. Slightly more formal.

could this happen

A more general question of possibility, removing the directness of "this".

is this within the realm of possibility

A more elaborate way to express whether something is possible, adding a sense of scope.

can this be envisioned

Similar to "imaginable", but with a focus on detailed planning or visualization.

is there any chance of this

Indicates a lower expectation of success, focusing on whether any possibility exists.

FAQs

How can I use "is this conceivable" in a sentence?

You can use "is this conceivable" to question whether something is possible or imaginable, such as, "Given the project's limited budget, "is this conceivable" to complete within the proposed timeframe?"

What's a more formal alternative to "is this conceivable"?

A more formal alternative could be "is this within the realm of possibility?" or "is this a plausible scenario?", which are suitable for academic or professional settings.

How does "is this conceivable" differ from "is this possible"?

"Is this possible" is a more direct question about possibility. "Is this conceivable" implies a level of imagination or planning is required to see how something could occur. "Possible" is about raw potential, while "conceivable" is about understanding how that potential might be realized.

When should I use "is this conceivable" over "is this likely"?

Use "is this likely" when you're assessing the probability of something happening. Use "is this conceivable" when you're questioning whether something is imaginable or understandable, even if it's not probable. Likelihood relates to chance, conceivability to understanding.