never thought possible

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "never thought possible" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in a sentence to express surprise or disbelief about something that was previously unimaginable or considered impossible. Example: "I never thought it was possible for her to become a successful entrepreneur, but she proved me wrong and now owns a multi-million dollar company."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Something I never thought possible.

The New Yorker

You discover things about yourself you never thought possible".

Independent

They're having problems like they never thought possible".

The New Yorker

You will put your hands in places you never thought possible or legal.

Independent

Recently Noura Wedell found herself contemplating something she never thought possible.

The Guardian

It is something many Cubs followers, and others, never thought possible.

The New York Times - Sports

They will mostly be small shifts or changes that you never thought possible.

The Guardian

They start a band, which alters Harry's life in ways he never thought possible.

The Guardian

The National Hockey League has done something I never thought possible.

The New York Times - Sports

Ms. Bauman's stock market mania is something she had never thought possible.

The New York Times

Around the city, people keep asking me about the Nets — at a rate that I never thought possible.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "never thought possible" to express genuine surprise or disbelief, highlighting a significant shift in perspective or outcome. It is useful for narrative emphasis and impactful storytelling.

Common error

Avoid using "never thought possible" in contexts where the outcome, while positive, is reasonably expected. Reserve it for truly exceptional or unforeseen circumstances to maintain its impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "never thought possible" functions as an intensifier expressing a high degree of surprise or disbelief. It's used to emphasize that an outcome or event was previously considered highly unlikely or even impossible, according to Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Formal & Business

7%

Science

4%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "never thought possible" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to express surprise or disbelief at an unexpected outcome. As confirmed by Ludwig, it functions as an intensifier, emphasizing the unlikelihood of an event. While versatile, it's best reserved for truly remarkable situations to maintain its impact. The phrase is most frequently found in news and media contexts. Consider alternatives such as "previously thought impossible" or "beyond my wildest dreams" to add nuance. Avoid overuse in predictable situations. Ludwig's AI reinforces the phrase's validity and offers diverse examples.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

previously thought impossible

Replaces "never" with "previously" and "possible" with "impossible", reversing the initial assumption.

even imagined possible

Substitutes "thought" with "imagined", emphasizing the lack of prior anticipation.

never believed achievable

Replaces "possible" with "achievable", shifting the focus to the feasibility of the outcome.

never considered feasible

Changes "thought possible" to "considered feasible", indicating a lack of prior evaluation.

seemed unattainable at first

Expresses the initial perception of something being out of reach, which then changed.

defied all expectations

Highlights the unexpected nature of an outcome, going against what was predicted or anticipated.

beyond my wildest dreams

Emphasizes the extreme unlikelihood and positive surprise of an event.

inconceivable at the time

Indicates that something was unimaginable or unthinkable in the past.

who could have predicted

A rhetorical question expressing surprise and implying that the outcome was unforeseeable.

contrary to all expectations

Highlights that the actual result was the complete opposite of what was anticipated.

FAQs

How can I use "never thought possible" in a sentence?

You can use "never thought possible" to express surprise or disbelief about an outcome. For example, "I "never thought possible" to achieve such a feat in such a short time".

What are some alternatives to "never thought possible"?

Alternatives include "previously thought impossible", "beyond my wildest dreams", or "unimaginable", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "never thought possible"?

Yes, "never thought possible" is grammatically correct and commonly used to express surprise or disbelief. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides numerous examples.

What is the difference between "never thought possible" and "didn't think was possible"?

"Never thought possible" emphasizes a stronger sense of disbelief or impossibility than "didn't think was possible". The former suggests something was truly unimaginable, while the latter simply indicates a lack of expectation or belief.