previously unimaginable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "previously unimaginable" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that was not possible to conceive or envision before a certain point in time. Example: "The technological advancements we have made in the last decade are previously unimaginable, transforming the way we live and work."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

I saw astounding sights and ate previously unimaginable things.

The Guardian - Books

This past week, we've seen previously unimaginable developments.

The New York Times

Poverty would be reduced at a speed previously unimaginable.

The Economist

The McDonald's Corporation itself, however, recently encountered the previously unimaginable: a quarterly loss.

The New York Times

Compstat brought a previously unimaginable level of accountability to the New York Police Department.

The New York Times

Hatred drove my family to the United States and its previously unimaginable freedoms.

The New Yorker

A simple gesture after the final session – previously unimaginable – reflected the transformation.

The Guardian

Speed began to redefine human life, as the acceleration of output yielded previously unimaginable benefits.

The Guardian - Film

You need to set ambitious goals, drawing out a previously unimaginable level of performance.

The Guardian - Business

The reason for offering clients previously unimaginable degrees of access to information is competition.

The New York Times

Beyoncé has burned her "Drunk in Love" (2013) narrative with previously unimaginable force.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "previously unimaginable", ensure the context clearly establishes what the prior limitations or expectations were. This provides a strong basis for understanding the magnitude of the change.

Common error

Avoid using "previously unimaginable" to describe ordinary or incremental changes. This diminishes the impact of the phrase and can make your writing sound hyperbolic. Reserve it for truly transformative shifts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "previously unimaginable" functions as a pre-modifying adjective, typically describing a noun. It adds emphasis and highlights the significant difference between a past state and a new reality. Ludwig shows this phrase used consistently in this way.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Science

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "previously unimaginable" is a versatile pre-modifying adjective used to underscore the significance of advancements or changes. Appearing frequently in news and media contexts, it effectively conveys a stark contrast between past limitations and present possibilities. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used. Alternatives such as "formerly inconceivable" or "previously unthinkable" can be used to express similar ideas. While it’s a powerful phrase, overuse in mundane contexts should be avoided to maintain its impact. Overall, "previously unimaginable" serves as a strong indicator of transformative shifts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

formerly inconceivable

Focuses on the idea that something was not able to be conceived or imagined before.

previously unthinkable

Emphasizes that something was not considered possible or acceptable before.

unforeseen

Highlights that something was not predicted or anticipated.

unexpected

Stresses that something was not expected or predicted.

beyond comprehension

Focuses on the idea that something is difficult or impossible to understand.

unprecedented

Indicates that something has never happened or existed before.

never before seen

Highlights that something has not been witnessed or observed before.

groundbreaking

Emphasizes that something is innovative and revolutionary.

revolutionary

Indicates a significant and fundamental change.

paradigm shift

Refers to a fundamental change in approach or underlying assumptions.

FAQs

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

You can use "previously unimaginable" to describe advancements, changes, or situations that were not conceivable in the past. For example: "The speed of modern communication is "previously unimaginable"."

What can I say instead of "previously unimaginable"?

You can use alternatives like "formerly inconceivable", "previously unthinkable", or "unprecedented" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "unimaginable previously"?

While grammatically understandable, "unimaginable previously" is not the standard or preferred word order. "Previously unimaginable" is the more common and natural phrasing.

What's the difference between "previously unimaginable" and "unexpected"?

"Previously unimaginable" emphasizes something that was beyond the realm of possibility or conception, while "unexpected" simply means something was not anticipated. The former suggests a greater degree of surprise or transformation.