out of the question

USAGE SUMMARY

"out of the question" is correct and usable in written English.
It is often used when you want to express that something is impossible or unlikely. For example: "Going out to eat tonight is out of the question, since we don't have any extra money."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Mao" was out of the question, though.

The New York Times

A degree was out of the question.

Yale University

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

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "out of the question" to firmly reject a suggestion or possibility. It clearly communicates that something is not feasible or acceptable under any circumstances.

Common error

While "out of the question" is versatile, consider using more casual alternatives like "no way" or "not a chance" in informal conversations to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "out of the question" functions as an adjectival phrase modifying a noun or pronoun to indicate that something is not possible, acceptable, or worth considering. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "out of the question" is a frequently used phrase to express that something is impossible, unacceptable, or not worth considering. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use across various contexts, particularly in news media and academic writing. While the phrase is generally neutral to slightly formal, more casual alternatives might be preferred in informal conversations. When using "out of the question", ensure it aligns with the intended degree of impossibility and that the context is appropriate for its tone. Understanding the subtle nuances of alternatives like "absolutely impossible" or "simply not an option" can further refine your communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

absolutely impossible

Emphasizes the complete impossibility of something.

completely unacceptable

Focuses on the unacceptability of a proposal or action.

totally ruled out

Indicates that something has been definitively excluded as a possibility.

simply not an option

Highlights that something is not a feasible choice or possibility.

beyond consideration

Suggests that something is not even worth thinking about.

not a chance

Informal way of saying there is no possibility of something happening.

unthinkable

Highlights the impossibility due to being too shocking or inappropriate.

not in the cards

Suggests that something is not destined to happen.

off the table

Indicates that something is no longer under discussion or consideration.

a non-starter

Describes something that has no possibility of succeeding or being accepted.

FAQs

How can I use "out of the question" in a sentence?

You can use "out of the question" to express that something is not possible or permissible. For example, "A pay raise is "out of the question" given the company's current financial situation."

What are some alternatives to "out of the question"?

Some alternatives include "absolutely impossible", "completely unacceptable", or "totally ruled out", depending on the specific context.

Is "out of the question" formal or informal?

"Out of the question" is generally considered neutral in tone, suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, in extremely informal situations, phrases like "no way" or "not a chance" might be more appropriate.

What's the difference between "unlikely" and "out of the question"?

"Unlikely" suggests a low probability, while "out of the question" indicates that something is impossible or completely unacceptable. "Unlikely" leaves room for possibility, while "out of the question" does not.