it was implausible that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was implausible that" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing doubt or skepticism about the likelihood of a particular situation or event occurring. Example: "Given the evidence presented, it was implausible that the suspect could have committed the crime alone."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

Goold argued that it was implausible that Odyssey did not know the identity of the Black Swan.

The New Yorker

He suggested it was implausible that armed police officers would have had anything to fear from it.

The New York Times

The prosecution case was that it was "implausible" that anyone but Huhne could have been the driver on that night.

The Guardian

A former senior Miramax executive said that it was implausible that Bob Weinstein did not know about the nature of the allegations, which were reported to the company.

The New Yorker

The judge also said it was implausible that SeaWorld — the leader in the training of killer whales — did not know, as it had claimed, that the orcas could pose a hazard to employees.

The New York Times

The Tax Division argued that it was implausible that Robertson would have left his wife alone in the city on a Friday night simply to avoid triggering a New York City tax day.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

It is implausible that flanking sequence could have been used to initiate gene conversion, as intergenic regions between distant taxa are essentially random, and no bacterial c-type rpl36 genes are flanked by secY and rps13.

BMC Biology

It is implausible that VTE or its treatment could cause a second solid tumour to develop within a year or two.

British Journal of Cancer

It is implausible that the Senate will name its own negotiators, much less hash out a compromise, before much of the government closes down on Tuesday.

The New York Times

It is implausible that the Jews could be responsible and Pilate a benign governor.

The New Yorker

It is implausible that every one of Rajaratnam's sophisticated investors were in the dark.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using this phrase, follow it with a clear explanation of why something is implausible. Providing context strengthens the impact of your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "it was implausible that" when a situation is merely surprising or unexpected, rather than genuinely logically inconsistent or statistically improbable. Overusing the phrase weakens its impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was implausible that" functions as a rhetorical device to introduce a statement that the speaker or writer finds difficult to believe or accept. Ludwig's examples show its use in contexts where logic or evidence contradicts a particular claim.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Science

29%

Formal & Business

14%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it was implausible that" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed expression used to convey skepticism or disbelief. As validated by Ludwig, its primary function is rhetorical, challenging the credibility of a statement by highlighting its lack of logic or evidence. Predominantly found in News & Media and Scientific contexts, the phrase is versatile, suitable for use when articulating reasoned doubt. However, be mindful of overstating implausibility, and always provide clear explanations to bolster your argument. While Ludwig confirms that the phrase is correct, remembering these guidelines will ensure effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it seemed unlikely that

Emphasizes a general lack of probability, softening the force of disbelief.

it was hard to believe that

Focuses on the difficulty in accepting something as true.

it is doubtful that

Indicates uncertainty and skepticism about a particular outcome.

it's questionable whether

Raises doubts about the validity or truth of a situation.

it strains credulity to think that

Highlights the extreme difficulty in believing something.

it defies logic to assume that

Suggests that an assumption goes against reasonable thinking.

it's a stretch to imagine that

Indicates that an idea or scenario is unlikely or far-fetched.

it beggars belief that

Emphasizes the surprising or shocking nature of a situation.

the notion that is far-fetched

Identifies a specific idea or notion as unrealistic or improbable.

the idea that seems preposterous

Labels a concept or plan as absurd or ridiculous.

FAQs

What does "it was implausible that" mean?

The phrase "it was implausible that" expresses disbelief or skepticism about the likelihood of something being true or occurring. It suggests that the situation is not credible based on the available information or logical reasoning.

How can I use "it was implausible that" in a sentence?

Use "it was implausible that" to introduce a statement that you find hard to believe or accept. For example, "it was implausible that the suspect acted alone, given the complexity of the crime".

What are some alternatives to "it was implausible that"?

You can use alternatives like "it seemed unlikely that", "it was hard to believe that", or "it is doubtful that" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "implausible" the same as "impossible"?

While both words describe something unlikely, "implausible" suggests something is difficult to believe but not necessarily impossible. "Impossible" indicates that something cannot occur under any circumstances. Thus, "it was impossible that" suggests something that is certainly not true, while "it was implausible that" indicates something that is very difficult to believe.