it seems conceivable

USAGE SUMMARY

"it seems conceivable" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation when something is possible, but it is not yet known whether it is true or not. For example, "It seems conceivable that the economy will improve in the near future."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

43 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

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

The New Yorker

The damage that Lance Armstrong did to the careers of other competitive cyclists, and to cycling itself, is incalculable, and it seems conceivable that the sport will never fully recover.

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

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

17 human-written examples

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

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

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

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it seems conceivable", follow it with an explanation or evidence to support the plausibility of the idea.

Common error

Avoid presenting a statement introduced by "it seems conceivable" as an established fact. This phrase indicates a degree of uncertainty or possibility, not a definitive truth.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it seems conceivable" functions as an epistemic modal, indicating a degree of possibility or plausibility. It is used to introduce ideas that are imaginable or logically consistent, but not definitively proven. Ludwig confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

46%

News & Media

33%

Encyclopedias

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it seems conceivable" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase that introduces a possibility or a plausible idea. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a versatile expression found in both scientific and journalistic writing, often signaling a need for further exploration. While interchangeable with phrases like "it appears plausible" or "it is potentially possible", it's important to avoid overstating a possibility as a certainty. Remember to use this phrase when introducing an idea or possibility that merits further investigation, making sure you support that idea with additional explanation and evidence.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it appears plausible

Replaces "seems" with "appears", emphasizing visual evidence or initial assessment, while maintaining a similar degree of plausibility.

it is potentially possible

Uses "potentially possible" to explicitly highlight the possibility aspect, making it slightly more direct.

it is reasonably likely

Indicates a higher degree of confidence in the possibility, suggesting that there's a good chance of it happening.

it could be imagined

Focuses on the imaginability of the scenario, which implies possibility but is less assertive.

it is within the realm of possibility

Emphasizes that something is not impossible and exists within the boundaries of what can happen.

it's not out of the question

Uses a double negative to indicate possibility, implying it's worth considering despite potential doubts.

one might expect

Shifts focus to expectation rather than direct conceivability, suggesting something is predictable based on current circumstances.

it is a possibility

States a direct and simple assertion of possibility without additional nuance.

it is a feasible option

Highlights the practicality and workability of a specific course of action.

it is thinkable

Focuses on the ability to consider or imagine something, implying logical possibility.

FAQs

How can I use "it seems conceivable" in a sentence?

Use "it seems conceivable" to introduce a possibility or idea that you believe is worth considering, such as, "It seems conceivable that remote work will become the norm in the future."

What are some alternatives to "it seems conceivable"?

You can use alternatives like "it appears plausible", "it is potentially possible", or "it is reasonably likely" depending on the specific context.

Is there a difference between "it seems conceivable" and "it seems possible"?

"It seems conceivable" suggests that something is imaginable or plausible, while "it seems possible" simply means something could happen. Conceivable often implies a degree of logical consistency or believability.

When is it appropriate to use "it seems conceivable" in writing?

Use "it seems conceivable" when you want to introduce an idea that isn't certain but has some logical basis or supporting evidence. It's often used in analytical or speculative writing.