unthinkable to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "unthinkable to" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to mean that something is so unlikely or impossible that it would not even be considered. For example: "It was unthinkable to me that I could ever make it to the Olympics."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

It would not be unthinkable to them.

The New Yorker

Now it's unthinkable to travel without one.

The New York Times

But then the unthinkable — to him — happened.

The New York Times

But it would have been unthinkable to us not to".

The New York Times - Science

That is so unthinkable to do what we did".

The New York Times - Sports

It was unthinkable to me: hate mail, phone calls, lawyers".

The New York Times

A century earlier, such individualism was unthinkable to most Europeans.

The New York Times

"It's just unthinkable to not have a library," she says.

The Guardian

It was unthinkable to achieve all of those things".

The Guardian - Sport

It may seem unthinkable to add another dish.

The New York Times

Not to be there would have been unthinkable; to have to speak would have been unbearable.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "unthinkable to" to express strong disbelief or impossibility, ensuring the subject experiencing this disbelief is clearly identified. For example, "It was unthinkable to him that she would betray him."

Common error

Avoid using "unthinkable to" for situations that are merely surprising or inconvenient. This phrase is best reserved for truly shocking or improbable events; otherwise, it dilutes its impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "unthinkable to" functions as an adjective phrase that describes something as being beyond someone's ability to imagine, accept, or believe. It typically expresses a strong sense of incredulity or impossibility. Ludwig AI provides numerous examples demonstrating its common usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

72%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

13%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "unthinkable to" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that conveys a strong sense of disbelief or impossibility. Ludwig AI confirms its widespread usage across various contexts, particularly in news and media. While alternatives exist, such as "impossible to imagine" or "inconceivable to consider", "unthinkable to" remains a potent and direct way to express that something is beyond comprehension or acceptance. When using this phrase, ensure that it accurately reflects the extremity of the situation to avoid diluting its impact. The phrase functions as an adjective phrase to denote that something is beyond someone's imagination, acceptance, or belief.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unimaginable for

Directly states that something cannot be imagined.

impossible to imagine

Focuses on the difficulty of forming a mental picture or scenario.

inconceivable to consider

Emphasizes the inability to entertain something as a possibility.

out of the question for

Highlights the unacceptability or prohibition of something.

beyond comprehension for

Stresses the inability to understand or grasp something.

unacceptable to

Highlights that an action is not welcome.

inadmissible for

Highlights that an action is not allowed.

not an option for

Highlights that an action is not feasible.

unrealistic to expect

Emphasizes the lack of practicality or feasibility.

preposterous to consider

Highlights the absurdity of the idea.

FAQs

How can I use "unthinkable to" in a sentence?

Use "unthinkable to" to express something that is considered impossible or completely out of the realm of possibility for someone. For example, "It was "unthinkable to" her that he would lie."

What are some alternatives to "unthinkable to"?

You can use alternatives like "impossible to imagine", "inconceivable to consider", or "out of the question for" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "unthinkable for" instead of "unthinkable to"?

While "unthinkable for" might be grammatically understandable, ""unthinkable to"" is the more common and idiomatic way to express that something is beyond someone's ability to comprehend or accept.

What does it mean when something is described as "unthinkable to" someone?

It means that the person finds it extremely difficult or impossible to believe, accept, or imagine the thing in question. It suggests a strong sense of disbelief or moral objection.