is unthinkable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is unthinkable" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It is typically used to describe something that is impossible to imagine or believe. Example: "The idea of destroying the planet for profit is unthinkable to most people."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

This is unthinkable.

The New York Times

A defeat is unthinkable.

Independent

Anything less is unthinkable.

The New York Times

Defeat is unthinkable.

The Guardian - Sport

But failure is unthinkable.

The New York Times

A car is unthinkable.

The New York Times

Here, that is unthinkable.

The New York Times - Health

Nothing is unthinkable.

The Guardian - Sport

Walking upright is unthinkable.

The Guardian - Books

Anything else is unthinkable".

The New Yorker

It is unthinkable".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "is unthinkable" to express strong disagreement or impossibility, making sure the context clearly indicates why the subject is unacceptable or beyond consideration.

Common error

Avoid using "is unthinkable" when a milder expression like "unlikely" or "improbable" would suffice. Save it for situations where the subject truly defies imagination or acceptability.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is unthinkable" primarily functions as a predicate adjective, describing a noun or idea as being beyond consideration or imagination. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's proper usage and common occurrence in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

87%

Science

6%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "is unthinkable" is a powerful expression used to convey that something is impossible to imagine or accept. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent usage across various domains. It functions as a predicate adjective, carrying a strong sense of disbelief or disapproval. While the phrase is versatile, it's best reserved for situations where the subject truly defies imagination or acceptability, avoiding overuse in weaker contexts. Alternatives like "is inconceivable" or "is unimaginable" can provide nuanced variations in meaning. Primarily found in News & Media, "is unthinkable" maintains a neutral register, adding emphasis to journalistic and opinion-based writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is inconceivable

This alternative emphasizes the impossibility of conceiving or imagining something.

is unimaginable

This alternative highlights the difficulty or inability to imagine a particular scenario.

is not an option

This alternative indicates that something is unacceptable or not a viable choice.

is out of the question

This alternative suggests that something is definitely not allowed or possible.

is beyond belief

This alternative stresses the incredibility of something, making it hard to believe.

is not to be considered

This alternative implies that something should not be entertained or taken into account.

is preposterous

This alternative indicates that something is utterly absurd or ridiculous.

is ludicrous

This alternative conveys that something is laughable or foolish.

is the last thing one would expect

This alternative emphasizes how surprising and unexpected something is.

is the height of absurdity

This alternative suggests that something is extremely ridiculous or nonsensical.

FAQs

How can I use "is unthinkable" in a sentence?

You can use "is unthinkable" to express that something is impossible to imagine or accept. For example, "The idea of betraying my friends "is unthinkable"".

What can I say instead of "is unthinkable"?

You can use alternatives like "is inconceivable", "is unimaginable", or "is out of the question" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "is unthinkable" or "was unthinkable"?

Both are correct, but they are used in different tenses. "Is unthinkable" refers to something that is currently impossible to imagine or accept, while "was unthinkable" refers to something that was impossible to imagine or accept in the past.

What's the difference between "is unthinkable" and "is unlikely"?

"Is unthinkable" expresses a strong sense of impossibility or unacceptability, while "is unlikely" simply suggests that something is improbable but still possible. The former conveys a much stronger sentiment than the latter.