literally unbelievable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "literally unbelievable" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is so extraordinary or implausible that it defies belief, even though the word "literally" is often misused in this context. Example: "The magician's final trick was literally unbelievable; I still can't figure out how he did it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

Almost literally unbelievable.

The Guardian - Opinion

I mean, literally unbelievable.

The Guardian - Opinion

It's literally unbelievable.

The New York Times

Their amazingly low high school dropout rate was literally unbelievable -- the educational equivalent of Enron's accounting results.

The New York Times

The Web site Literally Unbelievable is dedicated to documenting instances of Onion parodies that are mistaken for real news on Facebook.

The New York Times

After spending the past decade condemning, opposing and voting against the ACT's renewable energy target, the Canberra Liberals have had a, literally, unbelievable conversion.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

33 human-written examples

Fusing "politics and metaphysics, theology and materialism, myth and modernity, nonintentional matter and extravagant speculation," this work, as Adorno now described it, sounded -- literally -- unbelievable.

The New York Times - Books

Literally that – unbelievable.

The Guardian - Books

It was, quite literally, an unbelievable display.

The Guardian - Sport

She was just unbelievable – she literally just floated up the hill and just left the rest of us for dead".

The Guardian - Sport

After it was announced that NBC will suspend Williams without pay for six months over the situation, Bozell continued his superior attitude, tweeting, "A suspension for a lead anchor who repeatedly lied, then lied again in his 'apology.' NBC is unbelievable -- literally".

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "literally unbelievable" to express genuine surprise or disbelief, especially when the situation seems to defy logic or expectations. It can add emphasis when used appropriately.

Common error

Avoid using "literally unbelievable" in situations where the incredulity is minor or the exaggeration is obvious. This can dilute the impact and make your writing seem less credible.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "literally unbelievable" functions as an intensifier to express a high degree of disbelief or astonishment. It modifies a statement to emphasize that something is so extraordinary as to defy belief. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "literally unbelievable" is used to express a strong sense of disbelief or astonishment. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its grammatical correctness and its primary use in news and media contexts. While the phrase can be effective for emphasis, it's important to use it judiciously to avoid diluting its impact. Consider alternatives like "absolutely incredible" or "truly astounding" for varied expression. Overusing the phrase, especially in minor situations, can reduce its credibility. Overall, "literally unbelievable" is a valuable tool for expressing incredulity when used thoughtfully and appropriately.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

absolutely incredible

Emphasizes the extraordinary nature of something, making it hard to believe.

truly astounding

Highlights the surprising and impressive quality of something.

genuinely unimaginable

Focuses on the difficulty of conceiving or believing something.

utterly preposterous

Stresses the absurdity and unlikelihood of something.

completely far-fetched

Indicates that something is unrealistic and difficult to accept.

simply defies belief

Emphasizes that something is so remarkable that it is hard to believe.

hard to swallow

Focuses on the difficulty of accepting or believing something.

beggars belief

Expresses that something is so extraordinary that it surpasses comprehension.

beyond comprehension

Highlights the impossibility of understanding or believing something.

mind-boggling

Indicates that something is overwhelming and difficult to grasp.

FAQs

How can I use "literally unbelievable" in a sentence?

You can use "literally unbelievable" to express strong disbelief or astonishment, like in the sentence, "The magician's final trick was "literally unbelievable"; I still can't figure out how he did it."

What can I say instead of "literally unbelievable"?

You can use alternatives like "absolutely incredible", "truly astounding", or "genuinely unimaginable" depending on the context.

Is it correct to use "literally" when something is not actually literal in "literally unbelievable"?

While traditionally "literally" should only be used when something is actually true to the word, its use for emphasis, even when something is not literal, has become common. However, some people still find this usage incorrect.

What's the difference between "literally unbelievable" and "unbelievable"?

Adding "literally" to "unbelievable" intensifies the sense of disbelief. It emphasizes that the situation is so extraordinary that it seems beyond the realm of possibility.