pretty unimaginable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "pretty unimaginable" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is difficult to conceive or comprehend, often due to its extreme nature or improbability. Example: "The idea of living on another planet seems pretty unimaginable to many people today."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

Pretty unimaginable.

The New York Times

Politically, the thought that after the events of July 2011 let's get rid of regulation is pretty unimaginable.

The Guardian

Some people were able (lower your voice) to emigrate from the country, which was pretty unimaginable, but we were not among those people, for a variety of reasons.

The New Yorker

It's an atmosphere noticeably different than at any other concert, but then again, this is a gig unlike any other, and not merely because the very idea of Bush returning to live performance was pretty unimaginable 12 months ago.

The Guardian - Music

But it's pretty unimaginable that anyone in government would suggest adding this expense to the deficit.

Huffington Post

"It's pretty unimaginable that police officers would be at that point in time looking for these suspects and that an alligator unfortunately just happens to cross the road and assist us in catching these criminals," Boham told MyFox8.com.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

It's possible, of course, that my skepticism about forecasts of the impending death of the Times is simply the product of wishful thinking, since I am one of those dinosaurs who finds the idea of a morning without the print edition of the Times pretty much unimaginable.

The New Yorker

Last month, the notorious graffiti artist KATSU caught a tag that had, until then, been pretty much unimaginable.

Vice

At age 12, going anywhere other than the cinema or, like, a park seemed pretty much unimaginable.

Vice

There's a decent business opportunity here for Oculus; running multiple Rifts and PCs is such an unimaginable hassle that without several dedicated troubleshooters, it's pretty rough to scale options quickly.

TechCrunch

For someone who has spent her life on Long Island, in a pretty town with bungalows and backyards and American flags on the lawns, it is unimaginable.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Pair "pretty unimaginable" with specific examples to strengthen your point. Instead of saying "The consequences are pretty unimaginable", provide a concrete scenario to illustrate the potential impact.

Common error

While "pretty unimaginable" is acceptable in many contexts, avoid using it in formal or academic writing where more precise and sophisticated language is expected. Opt for alternatives like "highly improbable" or "difficult to conceive" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

Qualifying adjective phrase. The phrase "pretty unimaginable" functions as a descriptive phrase, where 'pretty' intensifies the adjective 'unimaginable'. It modifies a noun or noun phrase, expressing the extent to which something is difficult to conceive or believe. Ludwig confirms its usability and correctness.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "pretty unimaginable" is a grammatically sound and usable expression used to convey that something is difficult to conceive or believe. As Ludwig AI points out, it’s commonly found in News & Media. While acceptable in many contexts, it might be considered too informal for academic or highly professional writing. If you aim for a formal tone, consider using alternatives like "difficult to fathom" or "hard to conceive". "Pretty unimaginable" is a versatile phrase for expressing disbelief in various situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

virtually unimaginable

Adds a degree of emphasis, close to being unimaginable.

quite unthinkable

Strongly suggests that something is not only unlikely but also undesirable or objectionable.

hard to conceive

Focuses on the challenge of forming a mental picture or idea.

difficult to fathom

Emphasizes the difficulty in understanding or comprehending something.

almost impossible to believe

Highlights the level of disbelief associated with the scenario.

beyond comprehension

Indicates that something is impossible to fully grasp or understand.

scarcely believable

Suggests that something is on the edge of being considered true or possible.

barely conceivable

Highlights the slight possibility of something being imagined or understood.

fantastically improbable

Emphasizes the low likelihood of an event occurring.

beyond the realm of possibility

Suggests that something is definitely not possible.

FAQs

What does "pretty unimaginable" mean?

The phrase "pretty unimaginable" means something is difficult to conceive or believe, often due to its improbability or extreme nature. It suggests that an idea or situation is unlikely to happen or exist.

What can I say instead of "pretty unimaginable"?

You can use alternatives like "difficult to fathom", "hard to conceive", or "quite unthinkable" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "pretty unimaginable"?

Yes, "pretty unimaginable" is grammatically correct and commonly used, particularly in informal contexts and news media. Ludwig AI confirms this.

How can I use "pretty unimaginable" in a sentence?

You can use "pretty unimaginable" to express strong disbelief or emphasize the unlikelihood of a situation. For example: "The idea of winning the lottery seemed pretty unimaginable until it actually happened."