unbelievable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "unbelievable" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express astonishment or disbelief regarding a situation, event, or statement. Example: "The magician's final trick was so astonishing that it left the audience in an unbelievable state of shock."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Somebody helped to create this unbelievable American system that we have that allowed you to thrive.

The New York Times

It was unbelievable.

The New York Times - Sports

To be successful and get it is an unbelievable feeling".

The Guardian - Sport

"It's an unbelievable experience: I don't have to just wait for opportunities".

The Guardian

Mark Harris, chief executive of rival mortgage broker SPF Private Clients, said: "With the Co-op launching a two-year fix at 1.09%, unbelievable as it may seem, it could only be a matter of time before we have a sub-1% two-year fix".

The Guardian - Money

Mike marvels at how times have changed for homosexuals in the metropolitan first world: "It is unbelievable, we have made such progress.

The Guardian - Film

He's an unbelievable inspiration to me, to have him here as well as my mum, it makes a big difference as a player".

The Guardian - Sport

But as soon as she crossed the white line she was unbelievable".

The Guardian - Sport

"It is unbelievable that Commissioner Almunia wants to wave through this obviously illegal state aid to finance Hinkley Point," she said.

The Guardian

"Like Daesh [Isis]." Another officer tells the Observer: "It's unbelievable.

The Guardian

"My method has always been to strip the game back to its absolute basics and make sure the atmosphere in the camp is pretty relaxed because certainly the talent this squad has is unbelievable," he said.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing something as "unbelievable", provide context or specific details to justify your reaction and make it more relatable to your audience.

Common error

Avoid using "unbelievable" in situations where the context suggests something is merely surprising or unexpected. Overusing it can dilute its impact and make your writing sound hyperbolic.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "unbelievable" is as an adjective. It modifies nouns or pronouns to describe something that is difficult to believe, surprising, or extraordinary. Ludwig AI confirms this with numerous examples showing its descriptive use.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Sport

25%

Science

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The adjective "unbelievable" is a versatile term used to express astonishment, disbelief, or admiration. As Ludwig AI confirms, it functions primarily to describe something extraordinary or hard to believe. While grammatically correct and widely used, its overuse can diminish its impact. It appears frequently in news and media, as well as sports reporting. For more formal contexts, alternatives like "remarkable" or "extraordinary" may be more appropriate. By understanding its nuances and usage patterns, writers can effectively leverage "unbelievable" to convey strong emotions and enhance their writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

incredible

Emphasizes the extraordinary nature of something, often suggesting it's hard to believe.

astonishing

Highlights the surprising and impressive quality of something.

remarkable

Focuses on the noteworthy and exceptional aspects of something.

extraordinary

Stresses that something is beyond the ordinary or usual.

amazing

Conveys a sense of wonder and delight about something.

hard to believe

Directly expresses the difficulty in accepting something as true.

beyond belief

Similar to "hard to believe" but can also imply something is shockingly bad.

mind-blowing

Suggests something is overwhelmingly impressive and difficult to comprehend.

inconceivable

Indicates something is not possible or imaginable.

implausible

Highlights the improbability and unlikelihood of something.

FAQs

How can I use "unbelievable" in a sentence?

You can use "unbelievable" to express astonishment or disbelief. For example, "The magician's final trick was "unbelievable"" or "It's "unbelievable" how quickly technology is advancing."

What can I say instead of "unbelievable"?

You can use alternatives like "incredible", "astonishing", or "remarkable" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "unbelievable" or "hard to believe"?

Both "unbelievable" and "hard to believe" are correct, but "unbelievable" is more concise and direct. "Hard to believe" emphasizes the difficulty in accepting something.

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

"Unbelievable" expresses astonishment or disbelief, while "implausible" suggests something is unlikely or improbable. "Unbelievable" is often used for positive surprises, while "implausible" is typically used for negative or questionable situations.