that would be unthinkable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "that would be unthinkable" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express that a certain situation or outcome is so extreme or unlikely that it cannot be conceived or imagined. Example: "If we were to lose our main client, that would be unthinkable for our business."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Today that would be unthinkable.

The Guardian - Opinion

Ah, that would be unthinkable, in "The Future".

The New Yorker

They do stuff that would be unthinkable for a Mafioso".

The New York Times

That spending has risen to levels that would be unthinkable if this were a normal case.

The New York Times

Working with rodents instead of kids has allowed Francis to use scientific methods that would be unthinkable when studying humans.

University of California, Berkeley

Still, the building's flexible design permits ambitious scene changes that would be unthinkable in smaller theaters.

The New York Times - Arts

Homeowners are allowed to rent rooms in their houses to tourists (a freedom that would be unthinkable in North Korea).

The New Yorker

Again and again, I found myself invited to participate in workaday routines that would be unthinkable in Paris or Vienna.

The New York Times - Travel

There's an enormous volume of material that would have been interesting to us on Monday that would be unthinkable today".

The New York Times

When it comes to the position of women, however, this country has made progress that would be unthinkable in many other Muslim societies.

The New York Times

You can detect this undertone in the level of disrespect for this president that would be unthinkable were he not an African-American.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To emphasize the scope of the subject, the word “that” can sometimes be replaced with a more specific noun or pronoun which can increase the precision of your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "that would be unthinkable" for minor inconveniences or slightly undesirable outcomes. Reserve it for genuinely serious or catastrophic scenarios to maintain its impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that would be unthinkable" serves as a modal expression, indicating a strong degree of improbability or undesirability. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used. Its function is to highlight the unacceptability of a hypothetical situation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Academia

11%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Science

3%

Reference

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "that would be unthinkable" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to convey a strong sense of impossibility or unacceptability. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's versatile enough for various contexts, though most common in news and media. Related phrases like "that would be unimaginable" or "that is out of the question" offer similar meanings with slight variations in emphasis. Remember to reserve this powerful phrase for truly significant situations to maintain its impact and not diminish the scope of your subject.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that would be unimaginable

Replaces "unthinkable" with "unimaginable", focusing on the difficulty to imagine the scenario.

that would be inconceivable

Uses "inconceivable" to emphasize the impossibility of conceiving the situation.

that is beyond consideration

Shifts the focus to the idea being outside the realm of acceptable options or possibilities.

that is out of the question

Indicates a firm rejection or denial of the possibility.

that's simply not an option

Presents the idea as an unavailable or unacceptable choice.

that is totally impossible

Emphasizes the absolute impossibility of the event occurring.

that cannot be contemplated

Highlights the idea being too extreme or undesirable to even consider.

that defies belief

Indicates that the scenario is so extraordinary that it is hard to believe.

that's just not on

An informal expression indicating that something is unacceptable or inappropriate.

that's a non-starter

Suggests the idea has no chance of success or acceptance.

FAQs

How can I use "that would be unthinkable" in a sentence?

This phrase is typically used to describe a situation so undesirable or extreme that it's almost impossible to imagine. For example, "Losing this contract now, "that would be unthinkable", after all the work we've put in."

What can I say instead of "that would be unthinkable"?

You can use alternatives like "that would be unimaginable", "that would be inconceivable", or "that is out of the question" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "that would be unthinkable"?

Use this phrase when describing a scenario that is not only undesirable but also seems almost impossible to accept or imagine. It is most effective when emphasizing the severity or unacceptability of a potential situation.

Is "that would be unthinkable" a formal or informal expression?

The phrase ""that would be unthinkable"" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although it's often found in news and media.