a unmanageable

USAGE SUMMARY

"a unmanageable" is not correct in written English. It should be "an unmanageable" because "unmanageable" begins with a vowel sound. You can use "an unmanageable" when describing something that cannot be managed or controlled. Example: "The project became an unmanageable task for the team." Alternative expressions include "an uncontrollable" and "an overwhelming."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

The authors warned that confusion over the purpose of 287 g) could result in referrals of a "unmanageable number" of low-priority illegal immigrants to ICE as well as "misuse of authority" by local officials.

The Washington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Pérez created an unmanageable monster, a satiated, divided squad of ageing players, a club where marketing ranks ahead of meritocracy.

The Guardian - Sport

But here it is just an unruly son, an unmanageable object of fear and love in a contemporary chaos".

The New Yorker

But these payouts may leave a borrower with an unmanageable debt load.

Forbes

In the hands of a lesser writer, those missing three decades might have made an unmanageable obstacle to an interesting story.

The Economist

Now, they can lead to an unmanageable bill for a project like Mr. Sacui's, which generates little or no revenue.

The New York Times

As in the case with Guerriere, Java lay in shambles, an unmanageable wreck with a badly wounded crew.

Wikipedia

Feijoada, the national dish of Brazil, is both an impressive presentation and an unmanageable portion.

The New York Times

If it were on the top, this would be an unmanageable thumb-breaker of a phone.

The Guardian - Tech

It is being a bit of everything - without an unmanageable amount of any one thing.

Forbes

To ensure your child doesn't rack up an unmanageable phone bill, consider a family phone plan where you share unlimited data and minutes.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Check the flow of your sentence; if a situation is so difficult it cannot be handled, consider using "an intractable" for more formal or academic contexts.

Common error

Writers often default to "a" when they are focused on the following noun rather than the immediate adjective. Always look at the very next word to determine if you need "a" or "an". If the next word starts with a vowel sound, "an" is mandatory.

How to use

Learn how to use "a unmanageable" with practical examples and tips.

How to use

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a unmanageable" functions as a noun phrase component consisting of an indefinite article and an adjective. However, it contains a phonological mismatch because the article "a" is paired with a word starting with a vowel sound, which violates the standard rules of English article-adjective agreement.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Professional

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The analysis of the phrase "a unmanageable" clearly indicates that it is a grammatical error. According to Ludwig AI and standard linguistic rules, the indefinite article "a" should only precede words starting with a consonant sound. Since "unmanageable" starts with a vowel sound, the correct form is "an unmanageable". While one instance was found in a major publication like The Washington Post, it appears to be a rare oversight or a specific stylistic choice involving quotes. For all professional, academic and creative writing, you should avoid "a unmanageable" and use the corrected version or a synonym like "an uncontrollable" to ensure your writing remains credible and fluid.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an unmanageable

Corrects the indefinite article mismatch

an uncontrollable

Focuses on the lack of restraint or command

an unwieldy

Emphasizes the difficulty of handling something due to size or complexity

an overwhelming

Suggests a situation that is too great to deal with

an intractable

Specifically denotes problems that are hard to solve or control

a chaotic

Describes a state of total confusion and lack of order

a burdensome

Highlights the heavy weight or stress caused by the situation

an ungovernable

Implies that a group or person cannot be ruled or directed

a difficult

A more general and simpler term for hard-to-manage tasks

an uncontainable

Refers to something that cannot be kept within limits

FAQs

Is "a unmanageable" correct in English?

No, "a unmanageable" is grammatically incorrect. Because "unmanageable" begins with a vowel sound, you must use the indefinite article "an" to form "an unmanageable".

What can I use instead of "a unmanageable"?

You should use the correct form, "an unmanageable", or alternatives like "an uncontrollable" or "an unwieldy" depending on whether you are describing a situation, an object or a person.

Why does Ludwig AI flag "a unmanageable" as wrong?

Ludwig AI flags it because English grammar rules require "an" before words starting with vowel sounds. The vast majority of high-quality citations in the database confirm that "an unmanageable" is the standard form.

Can "a unmanageable" be used in informal speech?

While informal speech is more flexible, "a unmanageable" still sounds jarring and is considered a mistake. Using "a messy" or "a tough" situation is a better way to stay informal while remaining grammatically correct.