an unacceptable choice

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an unacceptable choice" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a decision or option that is deemed inappropriate or not suitable in a given context. Example: "After reviewing the proposals, we concluded that selecting that vendor would be an unacceptable choice for our project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

They sought to define Mr. Romney as an unacceptable choice, hoping to keep enough voters who supported Mr. Obama in 2008 from seeing Mr. Romney as a plausible alternative.

The New York Times

But when high-profile Republican leaders from Mr. Romney to Sean Hannity conveyed the idea that Mr. Akin was an unacceptable choice, Republican voters may have gotten the message.

The New York Times

The song might be appropriate for a five-year term but would be an unacceptable choice for the hundreds of towns not mentioned if we continue to try to agree on only one song to represent the entire state forever.

The New York Times

That finding reflected the McCain campaign's strategy of trying to make Mr. Obama an unacceptable choice in the eyes of undecided voters and Mr. Obama's goal of making undecided voters comfortable with him.

The New York Times

As a result, she is confronted with what Kagan calls an unacceptable choice between joining in the prayer or placing herself apart: "She must think — it is hardly paranoia, but only the truth — that Christian worship has become entwined with local governance".

The New Yorker

"From a practical standpoint," Mr. Rubio wrote in The New York Post about the health care rule, "this will force Catholic organizations to make an unacceptable choice: Ignore a major tenet of their faith, or not provide any insurance to their employees and be punished with a federal fine for violating Obamacare's mandate on employers".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

IN the summer of 1988, Republicans rolled out a carefully tested, meticulously planned campaign aimed at turning Michael S. Dukakis, the Democratic nominee, into an utterly unacceptable choice for president.

The New York Times

Clinton's comment is part of her larger campaign strategy, which is to make Trump an absolutely unacceptable choice to the largest possible number of voters.

Huffington Post

Teach your puppy that these are acceptable choices, and immediately replace all unacceptable choices.

WikiHow

We are not sure what it should be, but there is one unacceptable choice: creating a new detentions law that would allow them held without trial.

The New York Times

The "unacceptable choice" for the Energy Department, the report said, lies between "too many loyal employees falsely judged deceptive and too many major security threats left undetected".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "an unacceptable choice", ensure the context clearly explains why the choice is unacceptable to strengthen your argument. Avoid vague statements without justification.

Common error

Avoid presenting a choice as "an unacceptable choice" solely based on personal feelings. Back up your claim with objective reasons, data, or established criteria to add credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an unacceptable choice" functions as a noun phrase acting as a predicate adjective. It describes a noun, indicating that a particular selection or option is not suitable or permissible. Ludwig confirms this phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an unacceptable choice" is a noun phrase functioning as a predicate adjective used to express strong disapproval or rejection of a particular selection or option. Ludwig's analysis indicates that it is grammatically correct and suitable for both formal and informal contexts, particularly in news, media, and scientific writing. To maximize the impact of this phrase, it's crucial to clearly articulate the specific reasons why the choice is considered unacceptable. Alternatives such as "an inadmissible option" or "an untenable alternative" may be considered for subtle variations in tone and emphasis. The examples curated by Ludwig highlight the phrase's usage across diverse domains and source quality, indicating its widespread recognition and acceptance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an inadmissible option

Replaces 'unacceptable' with 'inadmissible', suggesting something is not allowed or cannot be considered.

an untenable alternative

Using 'untenable' instead of 'unacceptable' highlights that the choice is unsustainable or indefensible.

an undesirable selection

Replaces both 'unacceptable' and 'choice' with synonyms, softening the tone slightly.

an objectionable pick

Substituting 'objectionable' emphasizes that the choice elicits disapproval or opposition.

an unsatisfactory solution

Changing 'choice' to 'solution' implies that the selection fails to meet requirements or expectations.

an unsuitable candidate

Specifically refers to a person being considered and replaces 'unacceptable' with 'unsuitable'.

a regrettable decision

Focuses on the negative consequences of the decision, framing it as something to be regretted.

a problematic preference

Highlights that the preference poses difficulties or challenges.

a disallowed possibility

Indicates that the possibility is not permitted or authorized.

a forbidden alternative

Emphasizes that the alternative is strictly prohibited or off-limits.

FAQs

How can I use "an unacceptable choice" in a sentence?

You can use "an unacceptable choice" to describe a selection that is not viable or suitable due to various reasons. For example: "Choosing that supplier would be an unacceptable choice because of their history of late deliveries."

What are some alternatives to saying "an unacceptable choice"?

You can use alternatives like "an inadmissible option", "an untenable alternative", or "an undesirable selection" depending on the specific context.

Is "an unacceptable choice" formal or informal?

"An unacceptable choice" is generally suitable for both formal and informal contexts, though more formal alternatives may exist, such as "an objectionable pick" or "an unsatisfactory solution" for professional settings.

What makes a choice "an unacceptable choice"?

A choice is considered "an unacceptable choice" when it fails to meet certain criteria, violates ethical standards, poses significant risks, or contradicts established guidelines. The reasons must be clearly explained to justify the assessment.