out of the Question

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "out of the question" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that something is not possible or acceptable. Example: "Going on vacation this month is out of the question due to my work commitments."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Reference

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

"Mao" was out of the question, though.

The New York Times

That's out of the question.

The New York Times

60 is not out of the question.

The New York Times

Quoits were out of the question.

The New Yorker

A refund was out of the question.

The New Yorker

This is not out of the question.

The Economist

Tobacco products are out of the question.

The New York Times

Die Linke is out of the question.

The Economist

The latter seems out of the question.

The Economist

School was out of the question.

Independent

Video calls are out of the question.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "out of the question" to firmly reject an idea or possibility, ensuring there's no ambiguity about its unacceptability. It's stronger than simply saying 'no'.

Common error

Avoid using "out of the question" when you mean something is difficult but still potentially achievable. Reserve it for situations where something is genuinely impossible or completely unacceptable.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "out of the question" functions as an idiomatic expression used to express absolute impossibility or unacceptability. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage, highlighting its role in firmly denying a possibility.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Reference

10%

Less common in

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "out of the question" is a commonly used phrase to express that something is impossible or completely unacceptable. Ludwig AI affirms its grammatical correctness. The phrase is particularly prevalent in News & Media, Formal & Business and Reference contexts, indicating its broad applicability. When writing, it’s crucial to use this phrase when something is genuinely impossible or unacceptable, rather than merely difficult. For alternatives, consider "absolutely not" or "completely impossible" for similar emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

absolutely not

Direct and emphatic refusal, implying a firm stance against something.

completely impossible

Emphasizes the impossibility of something happening.

totally unacceptable

Highlights that something does not meet the required standards.

simply not an option

Indicates a lack of viability or consideration for something.

not a chance

Informal way of expressing strong disbelief or refusal.

no way

Very informal expression of strong refusal or impossibility.

unthinkable

Suggests something is beyond consideration due to its nature.

off the table

Indicates something is no longer being considered or discussed.

beyond consideration

Implies that something is not even worth thinking about.

cannot be entertained

Formal expression suggesting that something is not worth thinking about because it is not appropriate

FAQs

How to use "out of the question" in a sentence?

You can use "out of the question" to firmly deny a request or possibility. For example, "Taking a vacation this year is "out of the question" due to our financial situation."

What can I say instead of "out of the question"?

You can use alternatives like "absolutely not", "completely impossible", or "totally unacceptable" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "out of the question"?

"Out of the question" is best used when something is entirely impossible or unacceptable, leaving no room for negotiation or exceptions. It's suitable for expressing strong disapproval or denial.

Is "not out of the question" the opposite of "out of the question"?

Yes, "not out of the question" means something is possible or could be considered, whereas "out of the question" means it's impossible or unacceptable. For example, "Negotiating a lower price is "not out of the question"" suggests there's a possibility of negotiating.