is hardly reasonable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is hardly reasonable" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express that something is not reasonable or justifiable, often in a critical context. Example: "The proposal to cut funding for education is hardly reasonable, considering the current state of our schools."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

It is hardly reasonable to expect societies that have been long suppressed by mass-murdering dictators to leap in one bound all the way directly to perfect liberal democracy.

The Economist

But it is hardly reasonable for the Chilean political class to expect citizens to be satisfied with being better off than their Argentine, Peruvian and Bolivian neighbors when the record commodity prices that have fueled the boom in Chile's exports make them dream of living like Singaporeans or South Koreans.

The New York Times - Magazine

To regard the various studied examples of rural population mixing as unsatisfactory because they involve different definitions is hardly reasonable.

British Journal of Cancer

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Centlivre, considerably annoyed at her critics, defended herself by asserting that it was hardly reasonable to expect a character busy plotting against her husband to express herself "in the words of a Psalm".

The New York Times

Thus adding covariates was hardly reasonable.

Health and Quality of Life Outcomes

But this is hardly a reasonable view.

The New York Times

It is hardly a reasonable request, but then, Aisling is on morphine.

The Guardian - Books

Clearly using trucks to move cars is hardly a reasonable proposition.

The Guardian

Whether a city's aesthetic requirement is "reasonable" is hardly the jurisdiction of a communications regulator.

TechCrunch

Considered more carefully, though, that's hardly a reasonable basis for arguing against trying to redistribute the wealth in a diverse American state.

Huffington Post

"Could have been" is hardly sufficient when the standard of proof is "beyond a reasonable doubt".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "is hardly reasonable", ensure that your subsequent statements clearly articulate why you believe the subject in question lacks reason or justification. Providing evidence enhances the persuasiveness of your argument.

Common error

Avoid using "is hardly reasonable" in very casual conversations or informal writing. Simpler phrases like "doesn't make sense" or "isn't fair" are often more appropriate and natural in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is hardly reasonable" functions as a means of expressing disagreement or mild disapproval. It serves to question the logic, justification, or sensibility of a particular action, idea, or expectation. As indicated by Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

10%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "is hardly reasonable" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression for politely disagreeing or questioning the logic of something. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage and offers examples from diverse sources such as news media and scientific publications. While versatile, it's best reserved for situations where a degree of formality and reasoned argument is appropriate. Consider alternatives like "is scarcely justifiable" for nuanced contexts. Avoid overuse in casual conversations where simpler language may be more suitable.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is hardly justifiable

Similar to 'is scarcely justifiable', it highlights the lack of valid reasons.

is scarcely justifiable

This alternative emphasizes the lack of justification or defense for something.

is quite unreasonable

Emphasizes the significant lack of reason.

is barely acceptable

This suggests that something is only just within the limits of what is tolerable.

is scarcely sensible

This alternative focuses on the lack of good judgment or reason.

is far from sensible

Emphasizes the lack of sense.

is scarcely plausible

This highlights the lack of believability or credibility.

is scarcely logical

This focuses on the absence of logical consistency or coherence.

is not at all logical

Directly states the absence of logic.

is barely defensible

This emphasizes the difficulty in defending or justifying something.

FAQs

What does it mean to say something "is hardly reasonable"?

Saying something "is hardly reasonable" means that it is not sensible, logical, or justifiable. It expresses a mild disagreement or critique, suggesting that there is a lack of good reason or rationale behind something.

How to use "is hardly reasonable" in a sentence?

You can use "is hardly reasonable" to express doubt or disagreement. For example, "Expecting immediate results after implementing a new policy "is hardly reasonable"." It suggests that expecting immediate results is unrealistic or illogical.

What can I say instead of "is hardly reasonable"?

You can use alternatives like "is scarcely justifiable", "is barely acceptable", or "is not logical" depending on the context.

Is "is hardly reasonable" formal or informal?

"Is hardly reasonable" is generally considered neutral to formal. While appropriate for professional or academic writing, it might sound overly stiff in very casual conversation. Simpler alternatives may be more fitting for informal contexts.