a considerable stretch

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a considerable stretch" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or claim that is exaggerated or not entirely accurate. Example: "Claiming that he can run a marathon without any training is a considerable stretch."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

Not without a considerable stretch to the ordinary meaning of the words.

The Guardian - Opinion

But making the same argument about a similar dogmatism and zealotry among Democrats is a considerable stretch.

The New York Times - Books

"From the moment Enron admitted to having misstated its books, Wall Street, and also a considerable stretch of corporate America, were never the same," the author writes.

The New York Times

Not two weeks after the French tourists were killed, organizers of the annual Paris-Dakar Rally, whose route normally covers a considerable stretch of Mauritania, canceled the race.

The New York Times - Magazine

But many economists say it is a considerable stretch to suggest, as Mr. Gore often does, that the powerful expansion of the 1990's was born with the passage of that plan.

The New York Times

Jonathan McDowell, an astronomer with the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, told Gizmodo it was a "considerable stretch" to claim a outer solar system object had been found based on the information in the reports.

The Washington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

This is particularly true if only one budget is used that has considerable stretch built into it.

Harvard Business Review

U.S. military operations could extend to Lebanon and even, by some considerable stretch of potential proliferation linkages, to Iran.

Huffington Post

While the de novo acquisition of an env-like coding region by transduction could conceivably occur in a single step, the functional evolution of such a coding domain might be expected to occur over considerable stretches of evolutionary time [ 15, 17].

BMC Evolutionary Biology

This polymerization process had a powerful remodeling effect, as Rad51 destabilized the nucleosomes along considerable stretches of DNA.

Plosone

There are considerable stretches of sphagnum bog.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a considerable stretch" to express skepticism or disagreement politely. It softens criticism by implying the statement is merely exaggerated rather than completely false.

Common error

While acceptable, avoid overusing "a considerable stretch" in highly formal or academic writing. Opt for more precise language to convey doubt or disagreement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a considerable stretch" functions as a hedge, softening disagreement or doubt. It indicates a claim or idea may be exaggerated or not entirely accurate, as Ludwig examples show.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a considerable stretch" is a useful idiom for expressing polite skepticism or disagreement. As Ludwig's analysis confirms, it functions as a hedge, suggesting an idea may be exaggerated or not entirely accurate. While generally neutral in register, it's best suited for professional or journalistic writing and should be used sparingly in highly formal contexts. Common alternatives include "a notable exaggeration" and "a far-fetched claim". Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and provides ample examples of its usage across different contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a notable exaggeration

Emphasizes the overstatement or inflation of a statement.

a significant overstatement

Highlights the act of stating something too strongly.

a far-fetched claim

Indicates that the claim is unlikely or unrealistic.

a tenuous connection

Suggests a weak or unsubstantial link between two things.

a doubtful proposition

Implies uncertainty or skepticism about the truth or validity of a statement.

a broad interpretation

Signifies an expansive or liberal understanding of something.

a loose approximation

Describes something that is not precise or exact.

an optimistic assessment

Points to a positive outlook that may not be entirely realistic.

a generous interpretation

Highlights a forgiving or lenient understanding of facts or behavior.

a questionable assumption

Suggests uncertainty or doubt regarding the truth or validity of the assumption.

FAQs

How can I use "a considerable stretch" in a sentence?

You can use "a considerable stretch" to indicate that a statement or idea is an exaggeration or not entirely believable. For example, "Claiming that he can finish the project in one day is "a considerable stretch"".

What phrases are similar to "a considerable stretch"?

Similar phrases include "a notable exaggeration", "a far-fetched claim", or "a tenuous connection", depending on the specific context.

When is it appropriate to use "a considerable stretch"?

It is appropriate to use "a considerable stretch" when you want to express doubt or mild disagreement without being overly confrontational. It suggests that something is possible, but not very likely or believable.

Is "a considerable stretch" formal or informal?

"A considerable stretch" is generally considered neutral to slightly informal. It's suitable for many contexts, but more formal settings might benefit from more precise or academic language.