a bit unreasonable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a bit unreasonable" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation, request, or expectation that seems slightly unfair or excessive. Example: "I think asking for a response within an hour is a bit unreasonable, given the complexity of the task."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

Such expectations were a bit unreasonable.

The New Yorker

The proposal has won the support of Mexico's intellectual-property agency, IMPI.Agave-lovers think this a bit unreasonable.

The Economist

I think that's a bit unreasonable of me because they would probably work alone, but I personally always thought of them as a single book.

The Guardian - Books

Equally, the only way round that would have been for all acts concerned to withdraw their music from sale after Band Aid and Live Aid, which seems a bit unreasonable.

The Guardian - Music

Well, I told him, that's not very nice, and a bit unreasonable, as I could easily, in the comfort of my own home, dig up the Butterfield album on Spotify, and listen to it for free.

The New Yorker

"Regular increases of 10percentt or more without much of a change in title or responsibility would seem to be a bit unreasonable, but the mayor has brought, with these salary increases, private-sector incentives to public-sector salaries," said Dick Dadey, executive director of Citizens Union.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

I can be a little bit unreasonable.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

On the day before hundreds of thousands of people gathered in our nation's capital to call for sanity, a bit of unreasonable insanity was brewing in Florida's 8th district race for the US House of Representatives.

Huffington Post

The answer sounded a bit defeatist but was not unreasonable.

The Guardian - Opinion

It's not unreasonable to suspect a bit of each: Mr. Bloomberg is a convert from a pack-a-day habit, Big Tobacco is the domestic equivalent of Saddam Hussein, and Mr. Bloomberg's class empathy is more top-hat than tip-jar.

The New York Times

Although a bit small, it may not be unreasonable for low solar activity conditions, given that EPB rise velocities of 125 to 350 m/s were measured during high solar activity (Tsunoda, 1981).

Progress in Earth and Planetary Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a bit unreasonable", consider the level of formality required by the context. While generally acceptable, it may be more appropriate to use synonyms like "slightly unfair" or "somewhat excessive" in formal writing.

Common error

Avoid using "a bit unreasonable" repeatedly in formal documents. Vary your language with alternatives like "somewhat excessive" or "slightly unjustified" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a bit unreasonable" functions as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to describe something as moderately unfair or excessive. This function is supported by Ludwig and demonstrated in examples like, "I think that's a bit unreasonable of me because they would probably work alone".

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

73%

Wiki

9%

Science

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a bit unreasonable" is a common and grammatically correct adjective phrase used to express mild disapproval or the perception of slight unfairness or excess. Ludwig's analysis, which aligns with the usage examples, indicates that it is most frequently found in news and media contexts and is generally considered to have a neutral to informal register. While acceptable in many situations, more formal alternatives like "slightly unfair" or "somewhat excessive" may be preferable in formal writing. Be mindful of the context and audience when choosing whether to use this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

slightly unfair

Focuses specifically on the lack of fairness.

somewhat excessive

Highlights the aspect of being beyond what is necessary or appropriate.

a little demanding

Emphasizes the onerous or taxing nature of a request or expectation.

rather inappropriate

Indicates a lack of suitability or fittingness for the situation.

mildly unjustified

Highlights the lack of a valid reason or excuse.

somewhat unwarranted

Suggests the action or expectation lacks authorization or justification.

a touch excessive

Similar to "somewhat excessive" but with a more subtle emphasis.

a bit much

A more informal way of saying something is excessive or over the top.

slightly out of line

Indicates that someone's behavior or request has crossed a boundary.

fairly uncalled for

Emphasizes that something was unnecessary and unwelcome.

FAQs

How can I use "a bit unreasonable" in a sentence?

You can use "a bit unreasonable" to describe something that is slightly unfair or excessive. For example, "I think asking for that much money is "a bit unreasonable", given the circumstances."

What are some alternatives to "a bit unreasonable"?

You can use alternatives like "slightly unfair", "somewhat excessive", or "a little demanding" depending on the context.

Is it okay to use "a bit unreasonable" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "a bit unreasonable" is generally more suited for informal or neutral contexts. In formal writing, consider using alternatives like "somewhat excessive" or "slightly unjustified".

What's the difference between "a bit unreasonable" and "completely unreasonable"?

"A bit unreasonable" implies a minor degree of unfairness or excess, while "completely unreasonable" suggests that something is entirely without justification and unacceptable.