certainly unsustainable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "certainly unsustainable" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to emphasize the undeniable nature of something being unsustainable, often in discussions about environmental, economic, or social issues. Example: "The current practices in the industry are certainly unsustainable and must be addressed immediately."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Its debt is almost certainly unsustainable without outside help.

The Economist

But now some polls show Mr Gore beating Mr Bush among women by vast margins, some as much as 30 points.This sounds bad for Mr Bush, but in fact a "gender gap" of this scale is almost certainly unsustainable.

The Economist

In the City's shadow Wait for the axe Cubing the circle Mind your crystal balls Tall storeys Reprints Related topics EU economy Economies British economy European economy Western EuropeEven if the pound has further to rise in the short run, its current rate is almost certainly unsustainable.

The Economist

Publishers are people, not oracles, and print is most certainly unsustainable, and therefore as good as dead.

Huffington Post

"There's been a lack of attention to the fact that population continues to grow in the world at a rate that is certainly unsustainable," Engelman says.

Environmental Health Perspectives

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

This would almost certainly be unsustainable, so Mr Bush's economic policy must be counted a work in progress at best, a shambles at worst.And even though Mr Bush is no small-government exceptionalist, he is no European-style welfare statist either.

The Economist

Italy, Finland, Spain, France, and certainly Greece, are unsustainable under the present arrangements.

The Guardian - Opinion

And they should certainly avoid contributing to "unsustainable collective euphoria".

The Economist

No wonder many economists say this is unsustainable.However, Mr Walker reckons that China's investment is almost certainly lower than claimed, and that the investment boom therefore has further to run.

The Economist

: Brooks is certainly on target when he says that the Israelis' disengagement from the Palestinians is unsustainable.

The New York Times

The Greeks themselves certainly do not appear happy, rather that they have been press-ganged into promising unsustainable measures with much of the bailout funds heading straight to creditors without actually having much of a positive impact on the economy.

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Combine "certainly unsustainable" with specific data or evidence to strengthen your argument. For example, "The current rate of resource depletion is certainly unsustainable, given the projected population growth."

Common error

Avoid using "certainly unsustainable" in casual conversations or informal writing, as it can sound overly formal or dramatic. Simpler phrases like "not going to last" or "can't keep going like this" are often more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "certainly unsustainable" functions as an intensifier (certainly) modifying an adjective (unsustainable). It describes something that is not capable of being maintained at the current rate or level. Ludwig AI confirms its appropriate use in emphasizing the inevitable nature of something's failure.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "certainly unsustainable" is used to emphasize the inevitable failure of a practice or trend, often in contexts related to economics, the environment, or policy. According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and well-suited for formal writing, although simpler alternatives might be preferable in informal contexts. With its presence in sources like The Economist and The New York Times, it conveys a sense of urgency and conviction. While the examples are few, Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage, marking it as a useful phrase for expressing concerns about long-term viability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

absolutely unsustainable

Replaces "certainly" with "absolutely" for stronger emphasis.

undeniably unsustainable

Replaces "certainly" with "undeniably" to stress the lack of disputability.

patently unsustainable

Uses "patently" instead of "certainly" suggesting obviousness or self-evidence.

indisputably unsustainable

Emphasizes that the unsustainable nature is beyond question.

unquestionably unsustainable

Similar to "indisputably unsustainable" but with a slightly different nuance.

clearly unsustainable

Replaces "certainly" with "clearly" for directness and ease of understanding.

plainly unsustainable

Similar to "clearly unsustainable", implying a lack of complexity or subtlety.

surely unsustainable

Uses "surely" to express confidence in the unsustainable nature.

bound to fail

Simplifies the phrase to a more direct expression of inevitable failure.

doomed to collapse

Expresses a sense of inevitable and catastrophic failure.

FAQs

How can I use "certainly unsustainable" in a sentence?

You can use "certainly unsustainable" to describe practices or situations that cannot continue in the long term, emphasizing their inevitable failure. For example: "The company's debt is "certainly unsustainable" without outside help."

What are some alternatives to "certainly unsustainable"?

Some alternatives include "absolutely unsustainable", "undeniably unsustainable", or "clearly unsustainable", depending on the context and desired level of emphasis.

What does it mean when something is described as "certainly unsustainable"?

It means that the current state or practice cannot be maintained in the long run and is destined to fail or collapse due to inherent limitations or negative consequences.

Is "certainly unsustainable" a formal or informal phrase?

"Certainly unsustainable" leans towards the formal side, making it suitable for academic papers, news reports, and professional communications. In casual settings, simpler alternatives may be more appropriate.