degrees of unacceptability

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "degrees of unacceptability" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing varying levels of what is considered unacceptable in a particular context, such as behavior, actions, or decisions. Example: "In our discussion about workplace conduct, we need to address the degrees of unacceptability regarding tardiness and absenteeism."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

indicating absolute degrees of unacceptability.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Such markings are often used in a way that suggests an ordinal scale, i.e. a partial ordering that is silent on anything other than equivalence in acceptability or ranking in degree of unacceptability.

SEP

When looking only at these verbs (Table 3) neither entrenchment nor semantics influence the degree of unacceptability.

Cognitive Science

That is, younger children consider the reversibility of the action to predict the both (a) the likelihood that a verb may receive the prefix un- (Table 2) and (b) the degree of unacceptability that results when this prefix is used with verbs that may not in fact take un- (Table 3).

Cognitive Science

Degrees of relative unacceptability must be measured.

SEP

Energy bills had reached "a level of unacceptability", he said.

The Guardian

To get to that level of unacceptability, we must stand up to hate-mongers like Geller.

The Guardian - Opinion

O'Reilly pushes the discourse to the level of unacceptability without crossing any major lines, then pulls the discussion back to the center.

Huffington Post

However, at this age, semantics is not a significant predictor of the degree of either (a) unacceptability of ungrammatical un- forms or (b) acceptability of grammatical un- forms (though it may be possible to argue that this latter effect was moving in the predicted direction, although this was not yet significant, p =.10, n.s).s

Cognitive Science

At what point do such attacks on civilians cross a threshold of unacceptability?

The Guardian

We know this, because surely proper training would have made it clear that shooting an unarmed person with his arms in the air is a paradigm case of unacceptability.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing ethics or social norms, use "degrees of unacceptability" to differentiate between minor infractions and major violations. This can clarify the severity of actions or behaviors.

Common error

Avoid using "degrees of unacceptability" when the standard is entirely subjective. The phrase implies a measurable scale, so ensure there's a consistent rationale for assessing unacceptability.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "degrees of unacceptability" functions as a noun phrase, denoting the varying levels or intensities at which something is considered unacceptable. It's used to categorize and differentiate between different severities of violations or transgressions. According to Ludwig, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

33%

Formal & Business

33%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "degrees of unacceptability" is a grammatically correct noun phrase used to express varying levels of unacceptability, as confirmed by Ludwig. Although relatively rare, its primary contexts are in science, news, and formal business settings. The phrase suggests a formal register and is used to provide a nuanced assessment of behaviors or conditions, categorizing them based on severity. Ludwig suggests that using it is fine, and can be used in written English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Levels of unacceptability

Replaces "degrees" with "levels", focusing on different stages of being unacceptable.

Extent of unacceptability

Substitutes "degrees" with "extent", highlighting the scope or range of what is considered unacceptable.

Scale of unacceptability

Emphasizes a graduated range from acceptable to unacceptable.

Intensity of unacceptability

Focuses on the strength or force of being unacceptable.

Range of unacceptability

Highlights the spectrum from barely unacceptable to completely unacceptable.

Shades of unacceptability

Uses "shades" to describe subtle variations in unacceptability.

Variations in unacceptability

Focuses on how unacceptability changes based on different factors.

Gradations of unacceptability

Replaces "degrees" with "gradations", emphasizing a step-by-step progression.

Spectrum of unacceptability

Highlights the continuous range from acceptable to unacceptable.

Different degrees of being unacceptable

A more explicit way of stating varying levels of unacceptability.

FAQs

How can I use "degrees of unacceptability" in a sentence?

You can use "degrees of unacceptability" to discuss the different levels to which something is considered not acceptable. For instance, "The company policy outlines the "degrees of unacceptability" regarding tardiness and absenteeism."

What's a more common alternative to "degrees of unacceptability"?

A more common alternative is "levels of unacceptability". It conveys a similar meaning but might be easier for some audiences to understand.

Is it correct to say "levels of unacceptability" instead of "degrees of unacceptability"?

Yes, "levels of unacceptability" is a perfectly acceptable alternative. Both phrases are grammatically correct and can be used interchangeably in many contexts.

In what context is "degrees of unacceptability" most appropriate?

"Degrees of unacceptability" is particularly useful in formal or academic settings when you need to precisely articulate the varying severity of unacceptable behaviors or actions. It's less common in informal conversation.