an unacceptable

USAGE SUMMARY

"an unacceptable" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when describing something that is not acceptable or satisfactory. Example: "The proposal was deemed an unacceptable solution to the problem." Alternative expressions include "an intolerable" and "an unsatisfactory."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

That was an unacceptable excuse.

The New York Times

It's an unacceptable practice".

The New Yorker

For Einstein, this was an unacceptable conclusion.

The New York Times

It should be viewed as an unacceptable.

Independent

That was an unacceptable position to Rome.

The New York Times

"Now it has become an unacceptable pattern".

The New York Times

This is an unacceptable outlook.

The Guardian

That is an unacceptable demand.

The Guardian

"This is an unacceptable tragedy.

The Guardian

"This was an unacceptable error.

The Guardian - Business

This is an unacceptable situation".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Pair this phrase with an intensifier like "completely" or "entirely" when you need to convey absolute finality in your rejection.

Common error

Writers sometimes use "an unacceptable" without a following noun in fragmented sentences. While occasionally seen in journalism for dramatic effect, in formal writing, ensure it modifies a specific noun to avoid ambiguity. Instead of saying "The delay was an unacceptable", use "The delay was an unacceptable setback".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an unacceptable" functions as an adjective phrase consisting of an indefinite article and a qualitative adjective. According to Ludwig AI, it is primarily used to modify nouns to indicate that they fail to meet a required standard. It is most frequently followed by nouns like "risk", "practice" and "error".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "an unacceptable" is an essential component of formal English, appearing 59 times in the Ludwig database across high-authority sources. As noted by Ludwig AI, it is a grammatically correct and powerful way to categorize failures, risks or behaviors that cannot be tolerated. Whether used in a political context to describe "an unacceptable violation of sovereignty" or in a scientific context regarding "an unacceptable risk level", the phrase consistently signals a definitive line in the sand. Its high frequency in reputable publications like The New York Times and The Guardian proves its utility in professional communication for establishing clear standards and expressing firm opposition.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an intolerable

Emphasizes that the situation or behavior cannot be endured or suffered through

an unjustifiable

Highlights that no logical or moral reason exists for the behavior

an inexcusable

Focuses on the lack of valid justification or apology for an action

an impermissible

A formal term indicating that something is strictly forbidden by rules or laws

an unsatisfactory

A milder alternative suggesting that requirements or expectations have not been met

an untenable

Frequently used to describe positions or arguments that cannot be defended or maintained

an inadmissible

Used specifically when something cannot be allowed as evidence or within a formal process

an unconscionable

Suggests an extreme lack of conscience or shocking unfairness

an improper

Suggests a violation of rules, ethics or social decorum

an inappropriate

Indicates that something is not suitable for a specific context or setting

FAQs

How to use "an unacceptable" in a sentence?

You can use "an unacceptable" to modify a noun that describes something you reject. For example, Ludwig provides many instances such as "This was an unacceptable error" or "Strikeouts have piled up at an unacceptable rate."

What can I say instead of "an unacceptable"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "<a href="/s/an+intolerable" target="_blank" rel="alternative">an intolerable", "<a href="/s/an+unsatisfactory" target="_blank" rel="alternative">an unsatisfactory", or "<a href="/s/an+unjustifiable" target="_blank" rel="alternative">an unjustifiable" choice.

Which is correct, "a unacceptable" or "an unacceptable"?

The correct form is "an unacceptable" because the word "unacceptable" begins with a vowel sound (/ʌ/). Using "a" before a vowel sound is a common grammatical error.

What is the difference between "an unacceptable" and "<a href="/s/an+unreasonable" target="_blank" rel="alternative">an unreasonable"?

"an unacceptable" implies a hard rejection or a boundary being crossed, whereas "<a href="/s/an+unreasonable" target="_blank" rel="alternative">an unreasonable" suggests that something lacks logic or fairness but might still be open to negotiation.