a preposterous situation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a preposterous situation" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a scenario that is absurd, ridiculous, or contrary to reason. Example: "The idea that we could finish the project in one day was a preposterous situation that no one took seriously."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Fortunately, thanks to Toews's off-kilter sense of humor, Irma is also in a preposterous situation, surrounded by hilarious characters, including a 41-year-old German actress who tells her that because of an unspecified trauma she "stopped progressing at 14" and has a 16-year-old son who is "spiritually much older.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

That's a preposterous position.

The New York Times

Eliminativism may at first seem like a preposterous position.

Encyclopedia Britannica

But the wit and invention of Mr. Tolins's writing and the immersive storytelling skills of Mr. Urie are such that not only do they spin a sturdy narrative out of this preposterous situation, they actually persuade you to buy into it.

The New York Times

"So you have had this preposterous situation where the UK government and the Welsh government regularly go to the supreme court to argue about who is responsible for bylaws or agricultural wages.

The Guardian

Prepare your responses as in a funny game, where you are always ready and aware to detect his next move: "what else will he come up with now"? and laugh at the preposterous situation this employee creates for you and for him.

WikiHow

Reading to a child about ridiculous characters in preposterous situations can be entertaining.

The New York Times - Books

Not just an impressive physique and the physicality of a young Marlon Brando, but also a surprising sensitivity, a lightness of manner that makes him credible even in preposterous situations.

The New York Times

But others argued that Westerners simply lacked the education in totalitarianism that revealed his preposterous situations as merely slightly exaggerated versions of everyday realities.

The New York Times

If Punk'd's raison d'etre was to be as brutal as possible – making Justin Timberlake cry, basically – then Glitchy shares more with Trigger Happy TV's good-natured silliness; seeing how far preposterous situations can be pushed without its "victims" calling bullshit.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Series creator Nic Pizzolatto too often handed the actors preposterous situations and pretentious dialogue.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a preposterous situation" when you want to emphasize the absurdity or unreasonableness of a scenario. It's suitable for describing something that defies logic or common sense.

Common error

While "a preposterous situation" is widely understood, avoid overusing it in highly formal or academic writing. Consider more nuanced alternatives like "untenable position" or "illogical scenario" for a more sophisticated tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a preposterous situation" functions as a noun phrase, with "preposterous" acting as a descriptive adjective modifying the noun "situation". It describes a scenario characterized by absurdity, ridiculousness, or unreasonableness. Ludwig examples show its use across different sources.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Wiki

12%

Encyclopedias

4%

Less common in

Science

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a preposterous situation" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to describe an absurd or illogical scenario. As confirmed by Ludwig, the phrase is versatile, appropriate for many contexts and generally neutral formality. While synonyms exist, this specific combination effectively conveys a sense of outrageousness and disbelief. When writing, remember to consider the subtle differences between alternatives like "a ludicrous situation" or "an absurd predicament" to choose the most accurate expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an absurd predicament

Replaces "preposterous" with "absurd" and "situation" with "predicament", maintaining the sense of a ridiculous and difficult state.

a ludicrous state of affairs

Substitutes "preposterous" with "ludicrous" and "situation" with "state of affairs", emphasizing the comical and unreasonable nature.

a ridiculous circumstance

Replaces "preposterous" with "ridiculous" and "situation" with "circumstance", focusing on the farcical aspect of the scenario.

an unbelievable dilemma

Substitutes "preposterous" with "unbelievable" and "situation" with "dilemma", stressing the hard-to-believe and problematic nature of the situation.

an outrageous set of events

Replaces "preposterous" with "outrageous" and "situation" with "set of events", highlighting the shocking and unacceptable nature.

a nonsensical scenario

Substitutes "preposterous" with "nonsensical" and "situation" with "scenario", focusing on the lack of logic or reason.

an untenable position

Replaces "preposterous situation" with "untenable position", which refers to a situation that cannot be defended or maintained.

a farcical circumstance

Replaces "preposterous" with "farcical" and "situation" with "circumstance" focusing on the highly improbable and comical aspect.

a crazy situation

Substitutes "preposterous" with "crazy" to emphasize the madness of the situation.

a bizarre event

Replaces "preposterous" with "bizarre" and "situation" with "event", to emphasize the strangeness and unusual aspect of the scenario.

FAQs

How can I use "a preposterous situation" in a sentence?

You can use "a preposterous situation" to describe a scenario that is absurd, ridiculous, or makes no sense. For example: "The idea that we could meet the deadline with no resources was a preposterous situation."

What's the difference between "a preposterous situation" and "an absurd situation"?

While both phrases describe something unreasonable, "a preposterous situation" often implies a higher degree of unbelievability or outrageousness than "an absurd situation". Absurd can simply mean illogical or inconsistent, while preposterous suggests something blatantly ridiculous.

What can I say instead of "a preposterous situation"?

You can use alternatives like "a ludicrous situation", "a ridiculous circumstance", or "an untenable position" depending on the context.

Is "a preposterous situation" formal or informal?

"A preposterous situation" is generally considered suitable for both neutral and informal contexts. In more formal or academic settings, consider using alternatives that convey a similar meaning with a more refined tone.