plausible impossible

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "plausible impossible" is not standard in written English and may cause confusion.
It could be used in a context where you want to describe something that seems impossible but has a plausible explanation or reasoning behind it. Example: "The idea of time travel may seem like a plausible impossible concept, but scientists are exploring theories that could make it a reality."

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Walt Disney referred to the realm of his creations as "the plausible impossible".

The Guardian - Film

To Disney, these concessions to reality were crucial to achieving what he called, in an echo of Aristotle, the "plausible impossible".

The New Yorker

"I definitely feel that we cannot do the fantastic things based on the real unless we first know the real," Disney said, setting his sights on what he termed the "plausible impossible".

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

The theory is plausible but impossible to verify.

The New York Times - Sports

Most fantasies evade opportunities to make the impossible plausible, to give magic accountability in a realistic setting and moral and emotional weight in a modern novel.

The Guardian - Books

X has a culture where each team has the objective of impressing the other teams with how audacious they're willing to be (Note – These goals should be just audacious enough that they are still plausible but not impossible).

Huffington Post

While some estimation methods can be disregarded because they yield results that are clearly not plausible, it is impossible to determine which of the remaining methods yield the most accurate results.

BMC Health Services Research

From impossible to plausible, even probable.

The New Yorker

The gap between where the government is now and three-quarters plausible should not be impossible to bridge.

The Economist

Eva Ibbotson's magic is more whimsical and eccentric than Rowling's but, like Rowling, she makes the impossible remarkably plausible and very entertaining.

The Guardian

THE departure of Greece from the euro has gone from impossible, to plausible and now almost inevitable almost regardless of the outcome of this weekend's Greek election.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "plausible impossible" to describe scenarios or ideas that, while seemingly contradictory, have a reasonable basis or explanation. It often adds a layer of intrigue or complexity to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "plausible impossible" too frequently, as it can dilute its impact. Reserve it for situations where the contradiction is genuinely thought-provoking and not simply a matter of poor planning or execution.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "plausible impossible" functions as a descriptive adjective phrase, modifying a noun either explicitly or implicitly. It creates a sense of cognitive dissonance by juxtaposing two contradictory qualities, suggesting something that seems logically inconsistent but is somehow conceivable. Ludwig examples show its use across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Science

22%

Encyclopedias

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "plausible impossible" describes something that seems contradictory yet has an underlying reason or basis. While the grammatical status of "plausible impossible" is acceptable, it isn't very common, with Ludwig showing limited usage. It finds its place in News & Media, Science, and Encyclopedias, aiming to highlight paradoxes and prompt deeper consideration. Alternatives like "believably unfeasible" or "seemingly paradoxical" can offer similar nuanced expression. Ludwig AI signals this is not a standard phrase, so mindful usage is recommended.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

believably unfeasible

Emphasizes the contrast between believability and unfeasibility.

feasibly absurd

Highlights the intersection of feasibility and absurdity.

apparently contradictory

Focuses on the surface-level contradiction inherent in the idea.

seemingly paradoxical

Draws attention to the paradoxical nature of the concept.

conceivably unattainable

Suggests a potential for unattainability despite initial conceivability.

theoretically unrealistic

Highlights a divergence between theoretical possibility and practical realism.

ostensibly unworkable

Emphasizes the unworkable nature of something on the surface.

technically impossible

Points out a fundamental impossibility from technical point of view.

logically inconsistent

Addresses the logical flaws that contribute to apparent impossibility.

practically infeasible

Shifts the focus to the practical challenges of feasibility.

FAQs

How can I use "plausible impossible" in a sentence?

Use "plausible impossible" to describe something that seems contradictory but has a reasonable explanation. For example, "The concept of warp drive may seem like a "plausible impossible" idea, but scientists continue to explore the theoretical physics behind it".

What does "plausible impossible" mean?

"Plausible impossible" describes something that appears impossible but has elements of plausibility or a reasonable basis.

What are some similar phrases to "plausible impossible"?

Alternatives include "believably unfeasible", "feasibly absurd", or "seemingly paradoxical".

Is "plausible impossible" grammatically correct?

While not a standard phrase, "plausible impossible" is acceptable and can be used effectively in creative writing to convey a sense of contradiction or irony. Ludwig AI, however, signals this is not a standard phrase.