be unacceptable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be unacceptable" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe something that does not meet a certain standard or is not allowed. Example: "The behavior exhibited during the meeting can be unacceptable in a professional setting." Alternative expressions include "be intolerable" and "be inappropriate."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He would be unacceptable now.

The New York Times

It simply would be unacceptable".

The New York Times

That would be unacceptable.

The Guardian

Anything less would be unacceptable.

The Guardian - Opinion

And that would be unacceptable.

The Guardian - Tech

"It has to be unacceptable.

The Guardian

Expressing such sentiments openly would be unacceptable.

The New York Times

And I think that would be unacceptable".

The New York Times

This would be unacceptable to the Palestinians.

The Guardian

Harassment, threats or intimidation continue to be unacceptable.

Stanford University

Exposing older children to such risks should also be unacceptable.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Pair the phrase with modal verbs like "would", "should" or "could" to express hypothetical scenarios or expectations, as seen in many high-quality news sources.

Common error

Do not use the adverb "unacceptably" when a predicate adjective is required after the verb "to be". For example, write "The results are unacceptable" rather than "The results are unacceptably" unless you are modifying another adjective (e.g. "unacceptably low").

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be unacceptable" functions as a linking verb construction followed by a predicate adjective. It serves to assign a negative value or status to a subject. According to Ludwig AI, it is most frequently used with subjects representing actions, behaviors, results or conditions that violate established norms.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

25%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Social Media

3%

Reference

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "be unacceptable" is a powerful tool in English for defining boundaries and asserting quality. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is extensively used across the most prestigious publications to signal that a situation, behavior or result falls below a permissible threshold. Its versatility allows it to function in high-stakes political discourse, such as describing international conflicts, as well as in rigorous scientific analysis where data quality is assessed. When using this phrase, remember that it carries a definitive weight; choosing an alternative like "be unsatisfactory" can soften the blow, while "be intolerable" heightens the emotional urgency. Overall, it remains one of the most effective ways to communicate that a standard has not been met.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be intolerable

Increases the emotional intensity and suggests that the situation cannot be endured

be unsatisfactory

Provides a slightly milder evaluation, often used in performance reviews or quality control

be inappropriate

Shifts the focus to social norms, etiquette or suitability for a specific audience

be indefensible

Suggests that no logical or moral argument can be made to justify the subject

be inadmissible

Restricts the meaning to a legal or procedural context where evidence or entries are rejected

be out of the question

An idiomatic expression stressing that an option is completely impossible to consider

be unsuitable

Indicates that something is not right for a particular purpose or person

be prohibited

Uses a more formal, regulatory tone to indicate something is banned

be offensive

Emphasizes that the subject causes resentment or hurt feelings

be forbidden

Implies a direct prohibition by a person in authority or a specific law

FAQs

How to use "be unacceptable" in a sentence?

You can use it as a predicate to describe a subject that fails to meet requirements, such as: "Any further delay in the project will "be unacceptable" to the stakeholders."

What can I say instead of "be unacceptable"?

Depending on your tone, you can use alternatives like "be intolerable", "be unsatisfactory" or "be indefensible".

Is it "be unacceptable" or "be inacceptable"?

While "inacceptable" exists in some dictionaries, it is considered archaic or rare in modern English. You should almost always use ""be unacceptable"" for natural-sounding writing.

What is the difference between "be unacceptable" and "be unsuitable"?

The phrase ""be unacceptable"" implies a moral or qualitative failure, whereas "be unsuitable" simply means something is not the right fit for a specific purpose.