what conceivable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "what conceivable" is not correct in standard written English.
It may be intended to express a question about the possibility of something, but it lacks clarity and proper grammatical structure. Example: "What conceivable reason could there be for such a decision?"

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

29 human-written examples

What conceivable interest would these countries have in doing so?

The Guardian - Opinion

What conceivable use are my views to anyone else?

The Guardian - Opinion

What conceivable good can be served by such a sentence?

The Guardian - Opinion

In what conceivable sense is this not a serious scandal?

The Guardian - Opinion

In what conceivable sense are Snowden's actions "espionage"?

The Guardian - Opinion

On what conceivable level is that a good idea?

The Guardian - Film

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

29 human-written examples

"It's the conceivability factor: what seems conceivable for students," said Nick Gozik, the director of the office of international programs at Boston College.

The New York Times

As Hume argued, there is no reason for thinking that the Causal Principle is true a priori, for we can conceive of effects without conceiving of their being caused and what is conceivable is possible in reality (1993, IV).

SEP

What other conceivable purpose might the state department's misleading factsheet have served?

The Guardian - Opinion

In one, he delineates, with remorseless logic and clarity, what any conceivable afterlife would actually entail.

The Guardian - Books

For another, in the phenomenology of conceivability, what is really conceivable is difficult if not impossible to differentiate from what some might think is conceivable.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When questioning the possibility of something, consider using more standard phrases like "what possible reason" or "what imaginable scenario" for clarity and grammatical correctness.

Common error

Avoid using "what conceivable" as a standalone question. This phrase needs a noun or context to make sense. Instead of saying just "what conceivable?", ask "what conceivable reason?" or "what conceivable outcome?"

Linguistic Context

The phrase "what conceivable" functions as an interrogative determiner, seeking to challenge the validity or possibility of something. However, it is often considered non-standard. As highlighted by Ludwig, it is generally not considered correct in standard written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

71%

Science

23%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "what conceivable" appears in various sources, including news and opinion pieces, it's considered grammatically incorrect in standard written English according to Ludwig AI. It functions as an interrogative determiner, expressing skepticism or questioning rationale. For clearer and more grammatically sound alternatives, consider using phrases like "what possible" or "what imaginable". Use it with caution, especially in formal writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

what possible

Replaces "conceivable" with "possible", offering a more grammatically standard way to question likelihood.

what imaginable

Uses "imaginable" instead of "conceivable", emphasizing the limits of what can be imagined.

what conceivable reason

Adds "reason" to directly ask about the rationale behind something, clarifying the intent.

what possible explanation

Specifies "explanation" to focus on finding a reason or justification.

what logical basis

Emphasizes the need for a logical foundation or reason.

what justification

Focuses solely on the justification or validation for something.

what grounds

Similar to "justification", but emphasizes the underlying reasons or basis.

what rationale

Directly questions the reasoning behind a decision or action.

what conceivable purpose

Substitutes the more precise word “purpose” to refer to an aim or intention.

what reason could there be

Rephrases the question to emphasize the absence of any plausible reason.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "what conceivable"?

You can use alternatives like "what possible", "what imaginable", or "what plausible" depending on the context.

How to use "what conceivable" in a sentence?

While "what conceivable" is not considered standard English, you can use it to start a question. For example, "What conceivable reason could there be for doing that?" However, consider using "what possible reason" instead for better clarity.

Is it grammatically correct to say "what conceivable"?

According to Ludwig AI, the phrase "what conceivable" is not correct in standard written English. It lacks clarity and proper grammatical structure. Consider rephrasing your sentence.

Which is correct, "what conceivable reason" or "what possible reason"?

"What possible reason" is generally considered grammatically correct and clearer than "what conceivable reason". The former is a more standard way to express a question about the possibility or justification for something.