unquantifiable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "unquantifiable" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to something that cannot be measured or quantified, often in contexts like emotions, experiences, or abstract concepts. Example: "The joy of seeing my child graduate was unquantifiable; no amount of money could compare to that feeling."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Most recently, after strident objections by banks, there was the shifting of the "w-factor" (the possibly unquantifiable residual risk in a credit derivative) from one supervisory category to another, and also the setting of arbitrary minimum risk weights for unrated securitised assets.

The Economist

To those I might suggest adding a fifth, one routinely brought up by supporters of laws such as Alabama's: the unquantifiable benefit of, as Mitt Romney puts it, "ensuring our immigration system respects the rule of law".

The Economist

Zimbabwe apart, most African countries have been bringing inflation down, even if the trend is now creeping up again, in line with the rest of the world.Many countries have been helped by better macro-economic management and big inflows of Western aid, investment and debt relief as well as by more unquantifiable investments from Asia, particularly China, and the Middle East.

The Economist

At last count there were 17 competing explanations for the phenomenon, ranging from the unquantifiable (culture) to the simplistic (not enough vitamin D), via DNA, inequality and history.

The Economist

Perhaps in looking for "fit" we are trying to measure the unquantifiable, but I for one know I would rather be part of a community that collectively tries and fails, rather than of one that doesn't try at all.

The Economist

EACH YEAR when U.S. News, an American publisher, releases its league table of law schools, potential students seize on it and the universities decry it for oversimplifying a personal and unquantifiable decision.

The Economist

It is these, not books, that most raise the public awareness of science.However, another unquantifiable but widely recognised trend, according to Mr Mirchandani, is a growth in books on mysticism and the occult which suggests that people are turning not just to science for its own sake, but rather to anything that talks about the big questions.

The Economist

In short, premiums would be higher still.The government could bring down premiums by taking over long-term health risks, which are unquantifiable and hard to price.

The Economist

Vikram Pandit, the chief of Citigroup, has likened the new Basel capital rules to maintaining a standing army large enough to fight the second world war.Also unquantifiable is the innovation that may be deterred by regulation.

The Economist

Still, in the unquantifiable world of soft power, hosting an Olympic games is a big deal.

The Economist

Add to this the threat of litigation against the big energy traders, which is unquantifiable but sure to be costly, and it is hard to see them holding on to what remains of their business.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "unquantifiable", ensure the context clearly indicates why the subject cannot be measured; avoid vague or unsupported claims of immeasurability.

Common error

Avoid using "unquantifiable" for situations that are simply difficult to measure. Reserve it for aspects truly beyond numerical assessment, such as emotional impact or abstract values.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "unquantifiable" is as an adjective. It typically modifies nouns to indicate that they cannot be measured or precisely defined numerically. Ludwig examples show it describing concepts like "risk", "benefit", or "costs".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

74%

Encyclopedias

5%

Science

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "unquantifiable" is an adjective used to describe something that cannot be precisely measured or numerically defined. As Ludwig AI states, the term is grammatically correct and frequently used across various contexts, particularly in News & Media. It often emphasizes the intangible or qualitative aspects of a subject, such as emotional impact or inherent risk. While alternatives like "immeasurable" and "incalculable" exist, "unquantifiable" directly highlights the impossibility of quantification. When using this term, ensure the context supports its application to subjects truly beyond numerical assessment. Overusing it in place of 'difficult to measure' should be avoided.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not quantifiable

A more formal and direct synonym.

impossible to quantify

Directly states the inability to express something numerically.

not susceptible to quantification

A technical and precise way of saying something cannot be quantified.

immeasurable

Indicates a quality that is impossible to measure precisely.

incalculable

Suggests something is too great or numerous to be calculated.

defies measurement

Indicates that something cannot be captured by standard measuring techniques.

indeterminable

Emphasizes the lack of a way to find a definite value or quantity.

beyond measure

Highlights that something is so great it cannot be measured.

cannot be assessed

Emphasizes the inability to evaluate or determine the extent of something.

qualitative

Focuses on the descriptive rather than numerical nature of something.

FAQs

How to use "unquantifiable" in a sentence?

Use "unquantifiable" to describe something that cannot be precisely measured or defined mathematically. For example, "The benefits of this policy are "unquantifiable"".

What can I say instead of "unquantifiable"?

You can use alternatives like "immeasurable", "incalculable", or "indeterminable depending on the context".

Which is correct, "unquantifiable" or "non-quantifiable"?

"Unquantifiable" is generally more common and preferred, though "non-quantifiable" is also acceptable but less frequently used.

What's the difference between "unquantifiable" and "subjective"?

"Unquantifiable" means that something cannot be measured numerically, while "subjective" means it is based on personal feelings or opinions.