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Prepositions after adjectives

How to use “unthinkable” with prepositions

Unthinkable often appears with for when referring to a person or group, and with in when referring to a situation, place, or period.

Quick answer

Use “unthinkable for” with people and “unthinkable in” with contexts

Unthinkable for describes behaviour that would be impossible or shocking for someone. Unthinkable in refers to a context, society, period, or system where something cannot happen or be accepted.

It would be unthinkable for her to lie.
Such censorship is unthinkable in a democracy.
Ten years ago, remote surgery was unthinkable in ordinary hospitals.

Choose the pattern by meaning

These forms are not interchangeable. Choose the construction by meaning, not by which preposition appears most often.

1
unthinkable for + person

Describing behaviour or actions

Use for before a person, group, or organisation.

unthinkable for him to resign
unthinkable for the company to ignore safety rules
2
unthinkable in + context

Describing a place, period, or system

Use in with environments, societies, or situations.

unthinkable in modern medicine
unthinkable in that era
3
it is unthinkable that + clause

Expressing strong disbelief

That-clauses are also very common after unthinkable.

It is unthinkable that children would be left alone.

See the difference in context

The same subject can take different constructions because each sentence answers a different question.

Construction
Example
Meaning
unthinkable for
It is unthinkable for a judge to accept gifts.
Refers to a person or group's behaviour.
unthinkable in
That policy is unthinkable in a free society.
Refers to a context or environment.
unthinkable to
It was unthinkable to me at the time.
To can show a person's viewpoint.

Common mistakes

Some combinations appear in real text but do not mean what learners often assume.

Using “in” for a person

Use for before a person or group.

✕ It is unthinkable in her to cheat. ✓ It is unthinkable for her to cheat.

Using “for” with a place or system

Use in for contexts and environments.

✕ Such rules are unthinkable for modern schools. ✓ Such rules are unthinkable in modern schools.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. It would be unthinkable ___ the team to cancel the match.
2. That level of pollution is unthinkable ___ many countries today.
3. Choose the natural sentence.

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Frequently asked questions

Can “unthinkable” be followed by a clause?

Yes. A common structure is “It is unthinkable that...”

What does “unthinkable for” mean?

It describes behaviour that would be shocking or impossible for someone.

What does “unthinkable in” mean?

It refers to something unacceptable or impossible in a certain context or system.

ubiquitous in, on, across, throughout or for? "ugly in", "ugly for" or "ugly of"? ultimate in, of, for, on or as? "unacceptable to", "unacceptable in" or "unacceptable for"? unaccounted for unaccustomed to or in? unacquainted with unaffected by, in, for or with? "unaffordable for" or "unaffordable to"? unanimous in, on, about, regarding or for? "unattractive to" or "unattractive for"? "unavailable for" or "unavailable to"?

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