a seemingly outlandish

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a seemingly outlandish" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that appears to be bizarre or unreasonable at first glance, but may have merit upon further examination. Example: "The scientist proposed a seemingly outlandish theory about time travel that intrigued many in the academic community."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Why court controversy with such a seemingly outlandish proposal?

The Guardian - Opinion

That alone should be sufficient incentive to at least study such a seemingly outlandish idea.

The New York Times

How is she going to get out of it?" That partly explains why she can make a seemingly outlandish comparison between Marjorie and Hedda Gabler.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Fardaous and another women scroll through an iPad discussing the designer's seemingly outlandish hijab designs, among them a Metallica edition "Funjab," as well a birthday edition that is literally a birthday cake on top of a hijab.

Vice

Last year, in a review of a book by Adair Turner, the former head of the U.K.'s Financial Services Authority, I wrote at length about the revival of this seemingly outlandish policy proposal, a version of which Turner advocates.

The New Yorker

Charlie had taught him how to make an art car possible, and with experience under his belt, the seemingly outlandish idea suddenly appeared that much more possible.

Vice

Because right now there seems to be a lot more rubbernecking at baroque tragedy and debating the reality of the seemingly outlandish problem than discussion of ideas on how to overcome the issue.

Vice

Otherwise, employees will be reluctant to propose seemingly outlandish but potentially mould-breaking ideas.

The Economist

I therefore tried to think of two really seemingly outlandish ideas I could put together.

The Guardian - Books

Some skeptics thought the widespread acceptance of seemingly outlandish notions demanded prompt and forceful rebuttals by scientists.

The New York Times

It was Beck's co-host, Pat Gray, who brought up the seemingly outlandish idea that Cruz might win the Cornhusker State; Cruz was merely responding to a hypothetical.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a seemingly outlandish" to introduce ideas that might face initial skepticism but are worth exploring. This softens the introduction and encourages open-minded consideration.

Common error

While "a seemingly outlandish" is acceptable, avoid overusing 'outlandish' in formal writing. Instead, opt for more nuanced synonyms like 'unconventional', 'novel', or 'innovative' to maintain credibility and precision.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a seemingly outlandish" functions as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun to describe something that appears unconventional or bizarre. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a seemingly outlandish" is an adjective phrase used to describe something that appears bizarre or unconventional, yet potentially worthy of consideration. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and most commonly found in news and media contexts. When using this phrase, consider its neutral-to-formal register and explore alternative phrasings such as "apparently bizarre" or "ostensibly peculiar" for greater nuance. It's important to employ "a seemingly outlandish" to invite open-mindedness and signal that a concept should not be dismissed out of hand. Although "a seemingly outlandish" sounds a bit strange at first, it will help you communicate in a more advanced way.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

apparently bizarre

Replaces 'seemingly outlandish' with a more direct term for strangeness, focusing on the surface-level oddity.

ostensibly peculiar

Substitutes 'seemingly outlandish' with more formal vocabulary, emphasizing the outward appearance of peculiarity.

superficially eccentric

Replaces 'seemingly outlandish' with a phrase highlighting the external, unconventional nature of something.

on the surface, absurd

Breaks down the phrase to emphasize the initial impression of absurdity.

apparently preposterous

Focuses on the ludicrous aspect, suggesting something ridiculous at first glance.

outwardly unconventional

Highlights the deviation from norms in appearance only.

at first blush, improbable

Emphasizes the initial unlikeliness or implausibility.

giving the impression of being extravagant

Focuses on the impression of excessiveness or wildness.

giving the impression of being weird

Uses a more informal word to express the strangeness of something.

initially radical

Focuses on the novelty and potential disruption implied by the idea.

FAQs

How can I use "a seemingly outlandish" in a sentence?

You can use "a seemingly outlandish" to describe something that appears bizarre or unreasonable at first, but might be worth further consideration. For example: "The scientist proposed "a seemingly outlandish" theory about time travel."

What phrases are similar to "a seemingly outlandish"?

Similar phrases include "an apparently absurd" idea, or "a seemingly ridiculous" plan. The best choice depends on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "seemingly outlandish" or "apparently outlandish"?

Both "seemingly outlandish" and "apparently outlandish" are grammatically correct and convey a similar meaning. The choice depends on personal preference or the specific context.

When is it appropriate to use the term "a seemingly outlandish"?

It's suitable to use "a seemingly outlandish" when you want to express that something appears strange or unconventional at first glance but may have merit upon further examination. Consider the context to ensure it aligns with the tone and audience.