this was unbelievable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "this was unbelievable" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express astonishment or disbelief about an event or situation that has occurred. Example: "When I heard the news about the surprise party, I couldn't help but think, this was unbelievable!"

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Boston College Coach Mik Aoki summed it up: "This was unbelievable.

The New York Times - Sports

"I've seen big crowds and I've seen people," Palmer said later, "but this was unbelievable".

The New York Times - Sports

This was unbelievable for an immigrant kid who grew up in Brixton in a single-parent family.

The Guardian - Music

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

"This is unbelievable, absolutely unbelievable.

The New York Times

"This is unbelievable," he said.

The New Yorker

"He said, 'This is unbelievable!

The New Yorker

"This is unbelievable," Troicki said.

The New York Times - Sports

"This is unbelievable," he wrote.

The New Yorker

This is unbelievable, Sokolof said.

The New Yorker

"This is unbelievable," Elias said.

The New York Times - Sports

"This is unbelievable," said David.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "This was unbelievable" to express genuine surprise or disbelief at a past event. Ensure the context clearly indicates what "this" refers to.

Common error

Avoid using "This was unbelievable" when discussing hypothetical or future events. It's more appropriate for reflecting on something that has already occurred and surprised you. Instead, use phrases like "This would be unbelievable" or "It's hard to believe this could happen".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "This was unbelievable" primarily functions as an exclamatory expression. It is used to convey a strong sense of surprise, disbelief, or astonishment about a past event or situation. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness, and examples show its usage in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "This was unbelievable" is a grammatically correct expression used to convey a strong sense of surprise or disbelief regarding a past event. Ludwig AI's analysis confirms its proper usage, though its frequency is relatively rare. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, its register is generally neutral, making it suitable for various settings. When using the phrase, ensure the context clearly defines what "this" refers to and consider more formal alternatives like "This was remarkable" for professional settings. Despite being a valid expression, there are some alternatives you can consider, like "this was incredible" or "this was astonishing".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

This was simply incredible

Replaces "unbelievable" with "incredible", keeping a similar level of enthusiasm and amazement.

This was truly astonishing

Uses "astonishing" to convey a sense of great surprise and wonder, slightly more formal.

This defied belief

Highlights the difficulty in accepting the truth of the situation, emphasizing disbelief.

This was beyond comprehension

This alternative uses a more formal tone and emphasizes the difficulty in understanding the situation.

This was mind-blowing

A more informal and emphatic way of expressing astonishment.

This exceeded all expectations

Focuses on the idea that the outcome was better or more significant than anticipated.

I couldn't believe what was happening

Shifts the focus to the speaker's personal experience of disbelief.

It was something else

An idiomatic expression indicating that something was remarkable or exceptional.

This was remarkable

A more formal and understated way of expressing that something was noteworthy.

It's hard to fathom what occurred

Focuses on how difficult it is to understand or make sense of the situation.

FAQs

How can I use "This was unbelievable" in a sentence?

Use "This was unbelievable" to express your shock, surprise, or disbelief about a past event. For example, "When I heard about the record-breaking sales, this was unbelievable."

What can I say instead of "This was unbelievable"?

You can use alternatives like "this was incredible", "this was astonishing", or "this exceeded expectations" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "This is unbelievable" or "This was unbelievable"?

"This is unbelievable" is used for current situations, while "This was unbelievable" refers to a past event that caused surprise or disbelief. Choose the tense that matches the time frame of the event.

Can I use "This was unbelievable" in formal writing?

While acceptable, consider using a more formal alternative like "this was remarkable" or "this defied belief" in formal contexts to maintain a professional tone.