as far-fetched as

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as far-fetched as" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to compare something that seems unlikely or implausible to another idea or situation that is also considered unlikely. Example: "The idea that aliens built the pyramids is as far-fetched as claiming that the moon is made of cheese."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This is not as far-fetched as it sounds.

The Economist

(That may not be as far-fetched as it sounds.

The New York Times

It's not as far-fetched as it might sound.

The New York Times

Yet this wasn't as far-fetched as it might sound.

The Guardian - Books

This is not quite as far-fetched as it seems.

Harvard Business Review

That scenario is not as far-fetched as it sounds.

The Guardian

The possibility isn't as far-fetched as you might think.

The New York Times

This confusion isn't as far-fetched as it sounds.

The Guardian - Books

Seems that's not as far-fetched as I thought it was.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

"Terminator -style humanoid infanTerminator -style as far-fetchumanoidne would infantrymen

Princeton University

Such a situation is not as far-fetched as it sounds.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "as far-fetched as" to introduce a surprising or unexpected idea. This can pique the reader's interest and encourage them to consider the possibility of something they might otherwise dismiss.

Common error

While "as far-fetched as" is widely understood, overuse can diminish the impact of your writing, especially in formal reports or academic papers. Consider alternative, more precise language to convey the same meaning without sounding repetitive.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as far-fetched as" functions as a comparative adjective phrase. It is used to describe a noun or idea by comparing its improbability or unlikelihood to something else. Ludwig AI confirms its common use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

77%

Academia

12%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "as far-fetched as" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to convey skepticism or disbelief by comparing an idea to something equally improbable. Ludwig AI confirms its wide usage across diverse contexts, particularly in news and media. While versatile, it is advisable to use it judiciously in formal writing to prevent overuse. Alternatives such as "as improbable as" or "as unlikely as" offer nuanced ways to express similar meanings. By understanding its usage patterns and potential pitfalls, writers can effectively incorporate "as far-fetched as" into their repertoire.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as improbable as

Replaces "far-fetched" with "improbable", emphasizing the low likelihood of something happening.

as unlikely as

Substitutes "far-fetched" with "unlikely", highlighting the low probability of an event or idea.

as implausible as

Uses "implausible" instead of "far-fetched", focusing on the lack of believability.

as dubious as

Replaces "far-fetched" with "dubious", suggesting doubt or uncertainty about something.

as incredible as

Substitutes "far-fetched" with "incredible", emphasizing the difficulty in believing something.

as preposterous as

Uses "preposterous" in place of "far-fetched", highlighting the absurdity of an idea.

as fanciful as

Replaces "far-fetched" with "fanciful", suggesting that something is based on imagination rather than reality.

as unimaginable as

Substitutes "far-fetched" with "unimaginable", emphasizing the difficulty in conceiving something.

as absurd as

Uses "absurd" instead of "far-fetched", focusing on the irrationality or illogical nature of something.

as unrealistic as

Replaces "far-fetched" with "unrealistic", highlighting the lack of practicality or feasibility.

FAQs

How can I use "as far-fetched as" in a sentence?

Use "as far-fetched as" to compare an idea or situation to something else that is equally unbelievable or improbable. For example, "The idea that we could colonize Mars next year is "as far-fetched as" finding a unicorn in Central Park."

What can I say instead of "as far-fetched as"?

You can use alternatives like "as improbable as", "as unlikely as", or "as implausible as" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "as far-fetched as" or "so far-fetched that"?

Both phrases are correct but used in different contexts. "As far-fetched as" is used for comparisons, while "so far-fetched that" indicates a consequence. For example, "The idea was "as far-fetched as" a science fiction novel" versus "The idea was so far-fetched that no one believed it."

What's the difference between "as far-fetched as" and "hard to believe"?

"As far-fetched as" directly implies something is difficult to believe because it deviates from reality or seems improbable. "Hard to believe", while similar, can also apply to things that are shocking or surprising, but not necessarily improbable. "That story is "as far-fetched as" any urban legend" compared to "It's hard to believe he won the lottery twice".