the unbelievable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the unbelievable" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is difficult to believe or extraordinary in nature. Example: "The magician's performance was so impressive that it left the audience in awe of the unbelievable tricks he performed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Or the unbelievable play.

The New York Times - Sports

The unbelievable is believable.

The New York Times

Meanwhile, here's the "Unbelievable" video.

The New Yorker

Lionel Messi has made the unbelievable routine.

The Guardian - Sport

The unbelievable amount of debt he accumulates.

The Guardian - Books

How else could they believe in the unbelievable?

The New York Times

Ah, the Olympics: the pomp, the glory, the unbelievable physiques.

The New Yorker

The trick is separating the strange from the unbelievable.

The New York Times

"It's tapping into the unbelievable, yet it's also relatable".

The New York Times - Arts

Except, that is, for the unbelievable speed and precision.

The New York Times - Travel

Theatre, like religion, can make us believe in the unbelievable.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "the unbelievable", consider the tone you want to convey. It can express excitement, disbelief, or even skepticism depending on the situation. Choose it when you want to highlight something that defies expectations.

Common error

Avoid using "the unbelievable" in highly formal or academic writing where a more precise or nuanced description might be required. Opt for alternatives like "the remarkable" or "the extraordinary" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the unbelievable" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where the adjective "unbelievable" modifies an implied noun (like event, story, or situation). It refers to something so extraordinary that it challenges belief. Ludwig examples demonstrate this usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

89%

Science

4%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the unbelievable" is a versatile phrase used to describe something that is difficult to believe or extremely surprising. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and most frequently found in news and media contexts. While generally neutral in tone, its appropriateness varies with context. For more formal settings, consider alternatives such as "the remarkable" or "the extraordinary". Remember to use "the unbelievable" when you want to highlight something that defies expectations and leaves a strong impression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

The incredible

This alternative uses a different adjective with a similar meaning to "unbelievable".

The astonishing

This alternative uses another adjective suggesting surprise and disbelief.

The remarkable

This alternative emphasizes the exceptional nature of something.

The extraordinary

This alternative highlights that something is beyond the ordinary.

The inconceivable

This alternative suggests that something is difficult to imagine or accept.

The unimaginable

This alternative conveys that something is beyond what can be pictured or conceived.

The mind-blowing

This alternative is a more informal way to describe something surprising and impressive.

The far-fetched

This alternative suggests that something is unlikely or implausible.

The dubious

This alternative implies that something is questionable or not trustworthy.

The preposterous

This alternative indicates that something is absurd and ridiculous.

FAQs

How can I use "the unbelievable" in a sentence?

"The unbelievable" is typically used to describe something that is difficult to believe or extremely surprising. For example, "The magician performed "the unbelievable" feat of making an elephant disappear".

What are some alternatives to using "the unbelievable"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "the incredible", "the astonishing", or "the extraordinary" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it always appropriate to use "the unbelievable" in writing?

While grammatically correct, "the unbelievable" might not be suitable for highly formal or academic contexts. Consider the tone and audience when deciding whether to use this phrase.

What's the difference between "the unbelievable" and "the improbable"?

"The unbelievable" emphasizes the difficulty in believing something, while "the improbable" suggests that something is unlikely to happen. They can be used interchangeably in some contexts, but their nuances differ.