it is not conceivable that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it is not conceivable that" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing disbelief or indicating that something is beyond the realm of possibility. Example: "Given the evidence presented, it is not conceivable that the event could have occurred as described."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

It is not conceivable that Britain could have been pressured to vote a second time (as Ireland was over Lisbon) until it gave the right answer.

The Economist

By contrast, it is not conceivable that Kim Jong-un will have as much sway and authority as his father or grandfather, given his youth and inexperience.

The New York Times

It is not conceivable that Britons could have been forced to vote a second time (a standard EU ploy when voters rebel).

The Economist

It is not conceivable that any vice president before Mr. Cheney would have been so arrogant in describing his purportedly subordinate role in the administration he was elected to support.

The New York Times

"If these camps were reactivated, it is not conceivable that this could happen without President Musharraf's knowledge," said Najam Sethi, editor of The Friday Times, an English-language newspaper in Lahore, Pakistan.

The New York Times

As Schumpeter observed in Capitalism, Socialism and Democracy, "It is not conceivable that wants some day may be so completely satisfied as to become frozen".

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

Another example is bacterial porins (e.g., PDB 1PHO) with three pores, so that it is not conceivable to fill the pores automatically with the traditional method.

Plosone

It is conceivable that any object is not existent, but the absence of consciousness is not conceivable.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It is not only conceivable that some samples that were scored negative would have been positive with a higher peptide dose than that used in the assay (25  μ M), but also the opposite scenario is conceivable.

British Journal of Cancer

It is not really conceivable that ministers would sit on a £23bn surplus in the run-up to the next general election.

The Guardian

Against the backdrop of Avicenna's account of God, it is not even conceivable that the cotton fail to burn when its contact with fire is unimpeded and it is dry.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it is not conceivable that" when you want to express a strong sense of disbelief or to indicate that something is highly improbable. It is often used to refute a claim or idea.

Common error

Avoid using "it is not conceivable that" in casual conversation or informal writing. The phrase is rather formal and may sound stilted or unnatural in less formal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it is not conceivable that" functions as a modal expression used to convey a strong sense of disbelief or impossibility. Based on Ludwig AI, it suggests that a particular situation or event is highly unlikely or beyond the realm of possibility.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

38%

News & Media

31%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it is not conceivable that" is a formal expression used to convey a strong sense of disbelief or impossibility. Ludwig AI shows that it's grammatically correct and commonly found in news, scientific and encyclopedic writing. When writing, it is best to avoid casual conversation, or informal writing because the phrase is rather formal and may sound stilted or unnatural in less formal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it is unimaginable that

Emphasizes the difficulty in imagining or picturing something.

it is unthinkable that

Highlights the unacceptability or moral difficulty of something.

it is impossible that

Focuses on the lack of possibility for something to occur.

it is not possible that

A more direct and straightforward assertion of impossibility.

it is hard to believe that

Emphasizes the difficulty in accepting something as true.

it is difficult to accept that

Highlights the struggle to come to terms with something.

it defies belief that

Suggests that something is so extraordinary that it goes against what is believable.

it strains credulity that

Similar to 'defies belief', but with a focus on testing the limits of what one is willing to believe.

it beggars belief that

Indicates that something is so remarkable or shocking as to be beyond comprehension.

it is beyond the realm of possibility that

Emphasizes that something lies completely outside what is possible.

FAQs

What does "it is not conceivable that" mean?

The phrase "it is not conceivable that" means that something is very difficult or impossible to believe or imagine. It expresses a strong sense of disbelief or improbability.

How can I use "it is not conceivable that" in a sentence?

You can use "it is not conceivable that" to express disbelief or impossibility. For example, "It is not conceivable that he would betray his friends."

What are some alternatives to "it is not conceivable that"?

Alternatives to "it is not conceivable that" include phrases like "it is unimaginable that", "it is impossible that", or "it is hard to believe that".

Is "it is not conceivable that" formal or informal?

"It is not conceivable that" is generally considered a formal expression. In more casual settings, you might prefer alternatives like "I can't believe that" or "that's hard to imagine".