it seemed conceivable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it seemed conceivable" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing that something appeared to be possible or believable at a certain moment or in a specific context. Example: "Given the circumstances, it seemed conceivable that they would reach an agreement by the end of the week."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

With the Nets finally moving to Brooklyn, it seemed conceivable that the once proud Knicks franchise would soon become New York's other team.

The New Yorker

Isratine came up, but not Kennedy, although for a moment, when Ted Sorensen stood to ask a question, it seemed conceivable that it might.

The New Yorker

Maine's popular governor, Angus King, happens to be an independent, and he ran in a four-candidate race in which it seemed conceivable, for a while, that the Democrats themselves might not make the 5% mark.

The Economist

In the course of 1942, the U-boats sank more than 6,266,000 tons of shipping; and, since in the same period their operational strength rose from 91 to 212, it seemed conceivable that they might soon score their desired target of 800,000 tons of sinkings per month.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Sure, it was audacious, but given the proliferation of social media access on smartphones, it seemed conceivable.

TechCrunch

It seemed conceivable for me to establish an independent research group on water remote sensing in his institute.

Science Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

GrabTaxi actually has a motorbike taxi service in Vietnam — that's another of its trials — so it seems conceivable that the two could be compatible in the future, should it choose to launch them in new cities.

TechCrunch

It seems conceivable that Harreld's experience would be helpful on these fronts.

The New Yorker

Given this tendency to situate unnatural beings in the natural world, it seems conceivable that our judgments about their plausibility might reflect how well they conform to the constraints of modern biology.

The New Yorker

With the National Music Museum now being planned in Washington, it seems conceivable that museums devoted to popular music may one day become as integral to a city's cultural life as art museums are.

The New York Times - Arts

Given his toxic combination of ignorance and arrogance, it seems conceivable that he really believes that the E.U. is an anti-American plot, NATO is an anachronism, and the United States should throw in its lot with Putin and Russia.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it seemed conceivable" when you want to express that something was a reasonable possibility based on the information available at a specific point in time. For instance, "Given the data, it seemed conceivable that the experiment would succeed."

Common error

While grammatically sound, relying too heavily on "it seemed conceivable" can make your writing sound repetitive or less direct. Vary your language by using synonyms like "it appeared plausible" or "it looked possible" for a more impactful tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it seemed conceivable" functions as an evaluative expression, indicating a subjective assessment of possibility or believability at a particular point in time. As Ludwig AI states, it is grammatically correct. This means it adheres to standard English sentence structure. The examples show its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

41%

News & Media

35%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it seemed conceivable" is a grammatically sound and usable phrase that indicates something appeared possible or believable at a specific point in time. As Ludwig AI explains, the phrase follows standard English grammar rules. While "it seemed conceivable" is appropriate for various contexts, including news, science, and general writing, it's essential to vary your language to avoid repetition. Consider alternatives like "it appeared plausible" or "it looked possible" to enhance your writing's impact. The phrase is more frequent in Science and News & Media contexts. Therefore, remember to adapt the formality of your language to suit your audience and purpose.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it appeared plausible

Focuses more on the surface-level believability or apparent truth of something.

it looked possible

Emphasizes the visual impression of possibility, often in a more straightforward way.

it felt likely

Highlights the subjective feeling of probability, based on intuition or sentiment.

it struck as feasible

Stresses practicality and the potential for something to be successfully executed.

it was within the realm of possibility

Emphasizes that something is not impossible, though not necessarily probable.

it was not out of the question

Indicates that something is still under consideration or has a chance of happening.

it was imaginable

Focuses on the capacity to form a mental image or conception of something.

it could be envisioned

Suggests a clearer and more detailed mental picture of how something might unfold.

it presented as viable

Highlights the potential for something to work or succeed, often in a business or strategic context.

it showed potential

Emphasizes the latent ability or capacity for something to develop or become successful.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "it seemed conceivable" to sound more formal?

To achieve a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "it appeared plausible", "it was deemed viable", or "it was considered possible".

Is "it seemed conceivable" interchangeable with "it seemed possible"?

While similar, "it seemed conceivable" suggests something was within the realm of understanding or imagination, whereas "it seemed possible" focuses more directly on the potential for something to occur.

What's a less formal way to say "it seemed conceivable"?

In less formal contexts, you could say "it looked like it could happen" or "it seemed doable".

Can "it seemed conceivable" be used in the negative form?

Yes, you can use the negative form, such as "it did not seem conceivable", to express that something was not easily imagined or believed to be possible.