somewhat implausible

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "somewhat implausible" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is not very believable or likely to happen, but not entirely impossible. Example: "The idea that aliens built the pyramids is somewhat implausible, given the historical evidence we have."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Books

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

29 human-written examples

And also, in the end, somewhat implausible.

The New York Times

The first presents a somewhat implausible way to embrace change; the second imagines a downright fantastical way to avoid it.

The New York Times - Books

(Brantley) ★ 'The Revisionist' As a Polish Holocaust survivor in Jesse Eisenberg's somewhat implausible new play, Vanessa Redgrave reminds us why she's considered the greatest actress of her generation.

The New York Times

"It seems somewhat implausible," he said, that the government's witness saw the event and was "right about one and mistaken about the other".

The New York Times

As with most murder mysteries, the densely woven narrative of "Mystic River" is a skein of coincidences and somewhat implausible connections.

The New York Times

But back in the garret Mimì's death scene seemed stilted, marred by Ms. Marambio's hackneyed coughs and Mr. Villazón's somewhat implausible sobs.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

31 human-written examples

All are keen to establish their credentials in a notably overcrowded market, and Angus Reid, in particular, has been advertising some newfangled online sampling process, whose last set of results gave the Conservatives a somewhat implausible-sounding lead of 13 per cent.

Independent

This is pretty implausible.

The New York Times

It was all slightly implausible.

The Guardian - Books

We might also consider it as somewhat epistemically implausible to assume that everybody's belief in a self is arrived at by a process of drawing inferences from a set of clues.

SEP

Meanwhile, as activists like the Eckerts make their move in Oregon, federal change is looking at least somewhat less implausible than it once did.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "somewhat implausible" to express a measured degree of doubt, suggesting something is unlikely but not impossible. This nuanced approach avoids overly strong assertions.

Common error

Avoid using "somewhat implausible" when the situation is clearly impossible or highly improbable. Choose stronger terms like "entirely unbelievable" or "patently false" to accurately reflect the scenario.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "somewhat implausible" functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to describe something as not entirely believable or likely. It acts as a qualifier, softening the assertion of something being completely unbelievable, as supported by Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

21%

Books

14%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Sports

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "somewhat implausible" is a common and grammatically correct way to express a moderate level of doubt or disbelief. It is frequently used in news, scientific, and literary contexts to describe something that is not entirely believable but also not completely impossible. As Ludwig AI confirms, it functions as an adjectival phrase that adds a nuanced qualification to a statement. For situations demanding stronger expressions of disbelief, alternatives like "rather unlikely" or "fairly unbelievable" may be more fitting.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

rather unlikely

Indicates a slightly lower probability compared to "somewhat implausible".

fairly unbelievable

Emphasizes the difficulty in believing something, more so than "somewhat implausible".

a bit dubious

Suggests a slight sense of doubt or suspicion, similar to "somewhat implausible".

slightly improbable

Highlights the low probability of something occurring, comparable to "somewhat implausible".

questionable to some extent

Implies uncertainty or doubt, similar to the level of uncertainty in "somewhat implausible".

hard to swallow

Indicates that something is difficult to believe or accept, like "somewhat implausible".

not entirely credible

Suggests a partial lack of believability, akin to "somewhat implausible".

scarcely believable

Underscores the challenge in finding something credible, exceeding the subtlety of "somewhat implausible".

conceivably false

Highlights a possibility of being untrue, matching the nuance of "somewhat implausible".

open to doubt

Suggests that something is not certain and can be doubted, similarly to "somewhat implausible".

FAQs

What does "somewhat implausible" mean?

The phrase "somewhat implausible" suggests that something is unlikely to be true or to happen, but not entirely impossible. It expresses a moderate degree of doubt.

How can I use "somewhat implausible" in a sentence?

You can use "somewhat implausible" to describe events, ideas, or explanations that seem doubtful. For instance: "The witness's account of the event seemed "somewhat implausible"."

What are some alternatives to "somewhat implausible"?

You can use alternatives like "rather unlikely", "fairly unbelievable", or "a bit dubious" to convey a similar meaning.

Is "somewhat implausible" formal or informal?

"Somewhat implausible" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although it may be more common in writing than in casual conversation.