a untenable position

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a untenable position" is not correct; it should be "an untenable position." You can use it to describe a situation or stance that cannot be maintained or defended. Example: "His argument put him in an untenable position during the debate." Alternative expressions include "an indefensible position" and "a weak position."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

But it has also pulled her into an untenable position: a central figure in a trial that is not even her own.

The New York Times

To complete the Zugzwang effect, the affair that Spethmann's daughter had with a murdered anarchist puts him in an untenable position with a tenacious police inspector.

The New York Times - Books

"I'm frustrated," Falk said, "because I think that a lockout is an untenable position for both parties, but especially for the players.

The New York Times - Sports

Traditional retailers' failure to innovate over the past decade has put quite a few in an untenable position from which they will never recover.

Forbes

This division of authority between two branches of government puts the head of a military service in an untenable position.

The New York Times

He is expected to be politically neutral, but he has shown himself to be politically biased and as a result is now in an untenable position.

Independent

Le Monde revealed yesterday how Sarkozy, by calling and interrogating the head of intelligence service on the Gaddafi investigation, put such a senior civil servant in an untenable position.

The Guardian - Opinion

He is expected to be politically neutral but has shown himself to be politically biased and as a result is now in an untenable position.

The Guardian - Opinion

He is expected to be politically neutral but he has shown himself to be politically biased and as a result is now in an untenable position.

The Guardian

It leaves Pelosi, and to a larger extent the Democratic Party, in an untenable position.

The Washington Post

An ABC News spokesman said what he described as a miscommunication left affiliate stations "in an untenable position.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always use the indefinite article "an" before "untenable" because the word begins with a vowel sound (/ʌ/). The phonetic sound of the word, not just the first letter, determines which article is correct.

Common error

Do not assume that the article "a" is universally applicable to all words starting with 'u'. While words like 'university' take "a" because of the initial 'y' consonant sound, 'untenable' starts with a pure vowel sound and strictly requires "an".

How to use

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

How to use

Linguistic Context

This phrase is intended to function as a noun phrase used to describe the status of a specific subject. However, as it stands, "a untenable position" is grammatically incorrect according to Ludwig AI because it fails to follow the vowel-article agreement rule.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

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Formal & Business

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Less common in

Academia

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Encyclopedias

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Wiki

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The search for "a untenable position" reveals a frequent but incorrect usage of the indefinite article. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase does not appear in authoritative sources because the word "untenable" begins with a vowel sound, necessitating the use of "an". All high-quality examples from The New York Times and The New Yorker consistently use "an untenable position". This expression is crucial for describing situations in politics, law and business that have become unsustainable or impossible to defend. Writers should ensure they use the correct article to maintain credibility and professional tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an untenable position

Corrects the grammatical error by using the proper indefinite article for a vowel sound.

an indefensible position

Uses a synonym that emphasizes the inability to justify or protect a stance.

an unsustainable stance

Focuses on the impossibility of maintaining the current situation over time.

a precarious position

Highlights the danger or instability of the situation rather than just its logical weakness.

an unviable option

Often used in business contexts to describe a choice that simply cannot work.

a weak position

A simpler, less formal way to describe a lack of strength or defense.

an impossible situation

Broadens the scope to suggest there is no way out of the current circumstances.

a dead end

An idiomatic expression for a position that offers no further progress.

at a stalemate

Describes a situation where no further action can be taken, often resulting from an untenable stance.

a lost cause

Implies that the position is so weak that any further effort to defend it is futile.

FAQs

Which is correct, "a untenable position" or "an untenable position"?

The correct form is "an untenable position". Because the word "untenable" begins with a vowel sound, English grammar rules require the use of the article "an" instead of "a".

What does "an untenable position" mean?

It refers to a situation, argument or viewpoint that cannot be defended against criticism or maintained any longer. You might say a politician is in "an untenable position" if their claims are proven false.

What can I say instead of "an untenable position"?

You can use alternatives like "an indefensible position", "a precarious position", or "an unsustainable situation" depending on the context.

Is it okay to use "a untenable position" in informal writing?

No, even in informal writing, "a untenable position" is considered a grammatical mistake. It is better to use "a weak position" if you want to sound less formal while remaining correct.