a considerable exaggeration

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a considerable exaggeration" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a statement or claim that significantly overstates the truth or reality of a situation. Example: "His claim that he ran a marathon in under two hours is a considerable exaggeration."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Both are a considerable exaggeration of the situation.

The Economist

"That would be a considerable exaggeration," he says with a smile.The internet-driven fall in classified-ad revenue is only one of the reasons for the decline of newspapers in America, which started decades ago (see chart 2).

The Economist

That, surely, is a considerable exaggeration, for Eastman led a notably active life and had no trouble making his way in the world.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

It's a very considerable exaggeration to say that there is a mass of regulation that has come in now".

Forbes

There is a problem, which is why we are introducing the new legislation, but I would say it is a very considerable exaggeration to say that there is a mass of regulation that has come in now.

Forbes

Of course, the poetic impulse to make a good story better leads to considerable exaggeration in daily conversation, suiting a vanity that goes with a sharp-edged sense of personal and family honour and the spoiling of children.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Even allowing for considerable exaggeration, these theatres were extraordinary feats of engineering.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It is commonly said, with considerable exaggeration, that Tehran now controls four Arab capitals: Damascus, where it is helping keep President Bashar al-Assad in power; Beirut, where its ally Hezbollah is a powerful force; Baghdad, where Iran is helping the Shia-led government fight Islamic State jihadis; and now Sana'a in Yemen.

The Guardian

From this time, it is no exaggeration to say that, to a considerable extent, lacquer filled the place occupied in China by ceramic wares.

Encyclopedia Britannica

That is a bit of an exaggeration.

The Economist

Only a mild exaggeration.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a considerable exaggeration" to politely downplay a statement without directly calling it a lie. This phrasing maintains a level of tact and professionalism.

Common error

Avoid using "a considerable exaggeration" when the statement is a blatant falsehood. This phrase is best suited for situations where there's a kernel of truth, but it has been significantly embellished.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a considerable exaggeration" functions as a noun phrase that serves as a subject complement or an object of a verb. It's used to describe a statement or claim, indicating it's overstated or inflated. Ludwig examples confirm its use in various contexts to politely point out overstatements.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Encyclopedias

33%

Science

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a considerable exaggeration" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to describe a statement that overstates the truth, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. While not as blunt as calling something a lie, it politely indicates that a claim is inflated. Ludwig examples show the expression is particularly prevalent in news and media and encyclopedia contexts and is often used to soften criticism. When using the phrase, ensure the context warrants a degree of tact rather than a direct contradiction.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a gross overstatement

Replaces 'exaggeration' with 'overstatement' and 'considerable' with 'gross', both implying a large degree.

a considerable overestimation

Focuses on the idea of an overestimated measure or amount using 'considerable' for emphasis.

a major inflation of the truth

Replaces 'exaggeration' with 'inflation of the truth', indicating an inflated version of reality; 'considerable' becomes 'major'.

a vast amplification

Uses 'amplification' to convey the idea of making something larger than it is, with 'vast' replacing 'considerable'.

a significant embellishment

Emphasizes the addition of decorative details to the truth, making it more appealing but less accurate; 'significant' replaces 'considerable'.

a notable stretching of the facts

Highlights the act of extending the truth beyond its natural limits, with 'notable' replacing 'considerable'.

quite an overestimation

Focuses on estimating something higher than its actual value, adding 'quite' for emphasis and replacing 'considerable' with 'overestimation'.

a substantial magnification

Implies enlarging something to make it appear more significant than it is, using 'substantial' in place of 'considerable'.

a marked distortion of reality

Indicates a twisting or alteration of reality, making it deviate from the truth; 'marked' replaces 'considerable'.

an appreciable magnification

Like substantial magnification, implies making something larger than it is, using 'appreciable' in place of 'considerable'.

FAQs

What does "a considerable exaggeration" mean?

The phrase "a considerable exaggeration" means that something has been overstated to a notable degree. It suggests the statement is not entirely false, but it's significantly inflated beyond the truth.

How to use "a considerable exaggeration" in a sentence?

You can use "a considerable exaggeration" to describe a statement you believe is overstated. For example: "His claim that he single-handedly saved the company is "a considerable exaggeration"."

What can I say instead of "a considerable exaggeration"?

You can use alternatives like "a gross overstatement", "a major inflation of the truth", or "a significant embellishment" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "a considerable exaggeration" in formal writing?

Yes, "a considerable exaggeration" is suitable for formal writing. It's a relatively polite and professional way to point out that a statement is overstated without being overly confrontational.