appears unrealistic

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "appears unrealistic" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing a situation, idea, or expectation that seems improbable or not grounded in reality. Example: "The proposed timeline for the project appears unrealistic given the resources we have available."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

That appears unrealistic.

The Economist

Armstrong's dream of becoming a third option appears unrealistic.

The New Yorker

But I agree that the obvious solution of strong government appears unrealistic in the democratic west.

The Guardian

In this context, using external interventions to promote sustainable voluntary provision of local public goods (like worm control) appears unrealistic.

Harvard University

This rigorously confirms the existing rule's optimality, reveals a superior alternative, or, if the MD solution appears unrealistic, uncovers additional constraints that any real solution must satisfy.

Harvard University

"At first glance, the objective of a two-thousand-watt society appears unrealistic," Moritz Leuenberger, the head of the federal department, has said.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

Some of their objectives appear unrealistic, given the instruments available".

The Guardian

Novel approaches that might have appeared unrealistic a few years ago need to be explored".

Independent

Pinning hopes for progress in the developing world on seemingly exceptional democratic examples such as India, Costa Rica, and Colombia appeared unrealistic under such conditions.

The New York Times

More likely, he will identify further schemes whose prospects appear unrealistic before 2019, given the problems of supply, overspend and caps on borrowing.

The Guardian - Business

"The constant repetition of supposed dramatic high points, in which the talk is regularly of a 'last chance', appear unrealistic and staged.

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "appears unrealistic" when assessing proposals, plans, or expectations to temper enthusiasm with a dose of reality, ensuring decisions are grounded in feasible possibilities.

Common error

Avoid using "appears unrealistic" as a definitive dismissal. Instead, qualify it with supporting reasoning or evidence to maintain credibility and suggest potential alternatives.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "appears unrealistic" functions as a subjective assessment, qualifying a statement or proposal with an expression of doubt. As evidenced by Ludwig, it modifies nouns or ideas to suggest they are improbable or unfeasible.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Science

32%

Academia

22%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "appears unrealistic" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression to convey doubt about the feasibility or achievability of something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it functions as a subjective assessment across diverse contexts, including news, science, and academia. While suitable for various registers, it is advisable to use it with supporting evidence rather than as a definitive dismissal. Alternatives like "seems impractical" or "looks unachievable" offer similar nuances. The phrase's widespread usage in authoritative sources underscores its acceptability and utility in expressing reasoned skepticism.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

appears improbable

Stresses the low likelihood of something happening or being true.

seems impractical

Focuses on the lack of practicality, suggesting difficulties in implementation.

is deemed infeasible

Highlights that experts or decision-makers regard an idea or plan as not being practical or possible.

looks unachievable

Emphasizes the difficulty in reaching a certain goal or outcome.

is considered unattainable

Focuses on the impossibility of reaching a certain goal or objective.

sounds far-fetched

Highlights the implausibility or lack of believability of something.

is hardly likely

Indicates a low probability or chance of occurrence.

is too good to be true

Indicates disbelief due to perceived excessive optimism or lack of grounding in reality.

seems visionary

Suggests a plan or idea is too advanced or idealistic to be realized.

borders on fantasy

Implies that an idea is so unrealistic that it resembles something imaginary or fictional.

FAQs

What does "appears unrealistic" mean?

The phrase "appears unrealistic" suggests something seems unlikely to happen or be achievable, based on current information or circumstances.

How can I use "appears unrealistic" in a sentence?

You might say, "The project's deadline "appears unrealistic" given the limited resources." It indicates doubt about the feasibility of the deadline.

What are some alternatives to "appears unrealistic"?

Consider alternatives like "seems impractical", "looks unachievable", or "sounds far-fetched" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "seems unrealistic" or "appears unrealistic"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct and have similar meanings. The choice often depends on personal preference or the specific context. "Appears unrealistic" may sound slightly more formal than "seems unrealistic".