virtually inconceivable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "virtually inconceivable" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is almost impossible to imagine or comprehend. Example: "The idea that humans could live on Mars within the next decade seemed virtually inconceivable just a few years ago."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

26 human-written examples

With Lula in power, western diplomats in Brasilia described an Obama visit as virtually inconceivable.

The Guardian

(Given everything that has been said by now, it is virtually inconceivable that there will not be a military response).

The Guardian

Junger, who reviewed Marlantes's book for this newspaper, wrote that the racial tensions in Vietnam, the "military callousness or incompetence" that Matterhorn reveals "would be virtually inconceivable today".

The New York Times

In the context of Chinese politics, in which control of armies was the main source of power, President Chiang's compliance was virtually inconceivable.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It is virtually inconceivable that the two sweetly bumbling officers in charge of the case can't find the missing teenagers practically under their noses.

The New York Times

"It's virtually inconceivable that the supreme court will not take the issue up," said Steve Sanders, a law professor at Indiana University at Bloomington's Maurer school of law.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

32 human-written examples

And given the fact that virtually all the visual evidence is now in Israeli hands, it's almost inconceivable that we will ever know precisely what happened.

The Guardian - Opinion

It is almost inconceivable that Madoff could have spent 20 years squirreling away clients' money in a Chase Manhattan bank account, conducting virtually no legitimate transactions, without anybody at Madoff Investment Securities smelling a rat – even if, as he asserts, he was deliberately employing under-qualified staff with no expertise in the securities industry.

The Guardian - Business

Failure is almost inconceivable.

The Guardian

"That's almost inconceivable," Wallechinsky said.

The New York Times - Sports

"It seemed almost inconceivable," he recalls.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "virtually inconceivable" to express a strong sense of improbability, but acknowledge a slim chance of possibility. This is stronger than "unlikely" but less absolute than "impossible".

Common error

Avoid using "virtually inconceivable" when you truly mean "impossible". The phrase suggests a theoretical possibility, however small, still exists. Choose stronger wording if certainty is required.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "virtually inconceivable" functions as an intensifier modifying the adjective "inconceivable". It serves to emphasize the extreme improbability or unlikelihood of a particular situation or event. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is grammatically sound and widely used.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

72%

Encyclopedias

8%

Science

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "virtually inconceivable" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to convey a very high degree of improbability. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and frequent use across diverse sources, particularly in News & Media. While suggesting an event is extremely unlikely, it still allows for a remote possibility, distinguishing it from absolute terms like "impossible". When writing, ensure this nuance aligns with your intended meaning to avoid overstating the impossibility. Consider alternatives like "almost unimaginable" or "highly improbable" for subtle variations in emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

almost unimaginable

Replaces "inconceivable" with "unimaginable", slightly shifting the focus from conceivability to imaginability, but maintaining a high degree of similarity.

practically impossible

Substitutes "virtually inconceivable" with "practically impossible", highlighting the high level of difficulty rather than the lack of conceivability.

highly improbable

Replaces the original phrase with "highly improbable", focusing on the low probability of something occurring.

scarcely believable

Shifts the focus to the difficulty of believing something, rather than conceiving it.

barely conceivable

Emphasizes the difficulty in conceiving something, suggesting it's within the realm of possibility, but only just.

essentially unthinkable

Replaces "inconceivable" with "unthinkable", intensifying the sense of impossibility.

remotely possible

Uses a negative construction to express the low likelihood of something, contrasting with the directness of "virtually inconceivable".

difficult to fathom

Focuses on the difficulty of understanding or comprehending something, rather than its conceivability.

out of the question

Indicates that something is not allowed or not a possibility, which overlaps with the idea of being inconceivable.

beyond the realm of possibility

Emphasizes that something is not within the range of things that could happen.

FAQs

How can I use "virtually inconceivable" in a sentence?

You can use "virtually inconceivable" to describe scenarios that are extremely unlikely or difficult to imagine. For instance, "It was "virtually inconceivable" that he would win the election given his low approval ratings".

What are some alternatives to "virtually inconceivable"?

Some alternatives to "virtually inconceivable" include "almost unimaginable", "highly improbable", or "scarcely believable". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "almost inconceivable" instead of "virtually inconceivable"?

Yes, "almost inconceivable" is a perfectly acceptable substitute for "virtually inconceivable". Both phrases convey a similar meaning of something being extremely unlikely or difficult to imagine.

What is the difference between "virtually inconceivable" and "impossible"?

"Virtually inconceivable" suggests something is extremely unlikely but technically possible, while "impossible" asserts that something cannot occur under any circumstances. The former allows for a remote chance, the latter does not.