clearly unreasonable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "clearly unreasonable" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is obviously not reasonable or justifiable, often in a debate or argument context. Example: "The committee found the proposal to be clearly unreasonable, given the lack of supporting evidence."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

Never well founded, this assumption is today clearly unreasonable.

The Guardian

The strip-search of Savana was unnecessary, humiliating and clearly unreasonable.

The New York Times

Portugal, for instance, has the highest density of highways in Western Europe, he said, "which is clearly unreasonable, to use a mild term".

The New York Times

In addition, according to critics, the sneak-and-peek searches authorized by Section 213 were clearly "unreasonable" as that term had been interpreted in Fourth Amendment case law.

Britannica

As applied to the coal in question, the statute and executive orders were not so clearly unreasonable and arbitrary as to require them to be held repugnant to the due process clause of the Fifth Amendment.

Cornell University

The courts have not much curbed this, following a 1984 Supreme Court ruling — Chevron U.S.A. v. Natural Resources Defense Council — that judges should give "deference" to executive agencies' interpretations unless their rules are clearly unreasonable.

The Washington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

The firing of over 10,000 rounds of ammunition in under 90 minutes at a row house containing children was clearly excessive and unreasonable.

The New York Times

Yet this is clearly an unreasonable goal.

Forbes

(3) For that reason, if the government were authorized to use the database to investigate the personal lives of ordinary Americans, the telephony metadata program would clearly be "unreasonable".

Huffington Post

(3) For that reason, if the government were authorized to use the database to investigate the personal lives of ordinary Americans, the telephony metadata program would clearly be "unreasonable". But under the section 215 program, the government is authorized to access the metadata for only a very specific, very narrow, and carefully targeted purpose.

HuffPost

It is impossible for us to say that the provisions of the ordinance are clearly arbitrary and unreasonable.

Cornell University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "clearly unreasonable" to express strong disagreement. This phrase can add emphasis and convey a firm stance on the issue at hand.

Common error

Avoid using "clearly unreasonable" when expressing purely subjective preferences. The phrase implies an objective standard of unreasonableness, which may not apply to personal tastes or opinions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "clearly unreasonable" functions as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun to express a strong assertion of irrationality or lack of justification. Ludwig examples illustrate its use in evaluating proposals, actions, and decisions.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Academia

28%

Science

21%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Encyclopedias

6%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "clearly unreasonable" is a grammatically correct and commonly used adjective phrase to express a strong assertion that something is irrational, illogical, or unfair. Ludwig's analysis indicates that it is frequently found in News & Media, Academia, and Scientific contexts, maintaining a neutral register. While versatile, it is crucial to ensure its usage is supported by evidence and avoid applying it to purely subjective contexts. Several alternatives exist, such as "obviously irrational" or "patently absurd", which can be used to convey similar meanings with varying degrees of intensity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

obviously irrational

Points out the lack of reason or sound judgment.

plainly illogical

Directly addresses the lack of logical consistency.

patently absurd

Emphasizes the ridiculousness to the point of being laughable.

blatantly unfair

Highlights the injustice and lack of equity involved.

decidedly inappropriate

Indicates that something is evidently unsuitable.

manifestly unjust

Stresses the obvious injustice of a situation or action.

utterly preposterous

Highlights the extreme absurdity and foolishness.

palpably untenable

Points out the fact that something clearly cannot be defended or maintained.

indefensibly flawed

Highlights the presence of shortcomings to the point that cannot be protected.

categorically unacceptable

Emphasizes a firm and unconditional refusal.

FAQs

How can I use the phrase "clearly unreasonable" in a sentence?

You can use "clearly unreasonable" to describe actions, proposals, or arguments that are obviously illogical or unfair. For example: "The committee found the proposal to be "clearly unreasonable", given the lack of supporting evidence."

What are some alternatives to saying "clearly unreasonable"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "obviously irrational", "patently absurd", or "blatantly unfair".

Is it better to say "unreasonable" or "clearly unreasonable"?

Using "clearly unreasonable" adds emphasis, suggesting that the unreasonableness is evident and undeniable. Whether to use it depends on how strongly you want to convey your point.

What is the difference between "clearly unreasonable" and "somewhat unreasonable"?

"Clearly unreasonable" indicates a high degree of unreasonableness that is easily perceived. In contrast, "somewhat unreasonable" suggests a milder degree of unreasonableness that might be debatable.