it seems unthinkable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it seems unthinkable" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing disbelief or incredulity about a situation or idea that appears impossible or hard to comprehend. Example: "In light of recent events, it seems unthinkable that we could ever return to normalcy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

40 human-written examples

If not, however, it seems unthinkable that the FCC and its current leadership can walk away from this unscathed.

TechCrunch

It seems unthinkable today that an event might continue to its conclusion in the face of such carnage.

The Guardian - Sport

It seems unthinkable that Harris once considered playing for England.

The Guardian - Sport

Only three years ago, universal health insurance seemed inevitable; now it seems unthinkable.

Princeton University

It seems unthinkable, it seems impossible, but impossible is what engineering does best.

The Guardian

And it seems unthinkable that anybody would allow Black to run a large corporation again.

The Guardian - Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

20 human-written examples

It seemed unthinkable.

The Guardian - Books

It seemed unthinkable only a few months ago.

The New York Times

On Election Day in 2016, it seemed unthinkable to many Americans that Donald Trump could become president of the United States.

Columbia University

From the moment he said good night at the 2011 Golden Globes, it seemed unthinkable he'd be invited back.

The New York Times

It seemed unthinkable when the second seed went a break up in the third set, yet Tsonga broke straight back.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it seems unthinkable" to express strong disbelief or to emphasize the unlikelihood of a particular outcome. This is effective when reacting to surprising news or hypothetical scenarios.

Common error

While acceptable, overuse of "it seems unthinkable" can make writing sound less formal. Opt for stronger, more direct phrasing to maintain a professional tone, particularly in formal documents.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it seems unthinkable" functions as an evaluative expression, conveying a subjective assessment of impossibility or extreme improbability. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. Examples from Ludwig show its use in diverse contexts, ranging from political analysis to personal reflections.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Academia

15%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Science

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "it seems unthinkable" is a common and grammatically sound way to express disbelief or incredulity, suitable for a variety of contexts, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. Predominantly found in News & Media, it also appears in academic and informal writing. While versatile, consider opting for stronger, more direct alternatives in extremely formal contexts to avoid sounding less professional. Ludwig's examples highlight its usage in diverse scenarios, reinforcing its function as an evaluative expression that conveys a subjective assessment of impossibility or extreme improbability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it seems inconceivable

Emphasizes the difficulty in imagining or conceiving the possibility.

it seems impossible

Highlights the lack of feasibility or potential for the event to occur.

it seems unimaginable

Focuses on the inability to picture or visualize the scenario.

it seems absurd

Highlights the irrationality or ridiculousness of the idea.

it seems preposterous

Indicates the ludicrous or outrageous nature of the situation.

it seems ludicrous

Similar to 'absurd' and 'preposterous', suggesting something is laughably unreasonable.

it defies belief

Stresses the difficulty in accepting or believing something.

it is beyond comprehension

Highlights the lack of understanding or grasp of the idea.

it beggars belief

An idiomatic expression conveying extreme surprise or disbelief.

it strains credulity

Indicates something is difficult to accept as true or plausible.

FAQs

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

You can use "it seems unthinkable" to express disbelief or to highlight the unlikelihood of something. For example, "It seems unthinkable that they would cancel the event after all this planning."

What can I say instead of "it seems unthinkable"?

Alternatives include "it seems impossible", "it seems inconceivable", or "it seems unimaginable", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "it seemed unthinkable" the same as "it seems unthinkable"?

"It seemed unthinkable" refers to something that appeared impossible or unlikely in the past, while "it seems unthinkable" refers to something that appears impossible or unlikely in the present.

When is it appropriate to use "it seems unthinkable"?

Use "it seems unthinkable" when you want to express a strong sense of disbelief, surprise, or incredulity about a situation or idea. It's appropriate in both informal and formal contexts, though consider more direct phrasing for very formal writing.