is pretty implausible

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is pretty implausible" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing doubt or skepticism about the likelihood of a situation or claim being true. Example: "The idea that aliens built the pyramids is pretty implausible given the historical evidence we have."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

This is pretty implausible.

The New York Times

I think this is pretty implausible, and not merely because I don't think that the parties involved would be depraved enough as to commit those atrocities, nor smart enough to get away with it.

The Guardian - Tech

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Again, it's pretty implausible – would he not realise he was sleeping with the wrong woman?

The Guardian

Even without them, it's pretty implausible to think that an app store with hundreds of thousands (if not millions) of programs could be blindly trusted to be free from bugs, malware, and poor aesthetic choices.

The Guardian - Tech

Here's an excerpt and link: What's new is that several recent papers have offered best estimates for climate sensitivity that are below four degrees Fahrenheit, rather than the previous best estimate of just above five degrees, and they have also suggested that the highest estimates are pretty implausible.

The New York Times

That such a call would ever take place was pretty implausible a decade ago.

BBC

'It's a political magazine without any politics and you might say for a Kennedy to do that is pretty odd.' Odd, but not implausible in a country where 1,600 new magazines are launched every year, 90percentnt of which do not survive.

The Guardian

A strip of wood is pretty flexible.

Interactive QuickTime Authoring wired media

The linkage is pretty compelling.

Health Research Policy and Systems

So this is pretty close.

Biology Direct

This is biologically pretty implausible; if human DNA is no more resistant to mutagenesis in vitro than mouse DNA, why don't we all die of notable carcinomas at an early age?

Evolutionary Applications

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "is pretty implausible", consider the audience and context. While suitable for general writing, more formal situations might require stronger or more specific language.

Common error

Avoid adding too many softening words like "pretty", "quite", or "somewhat" before "implausible". Overuse can weaken your statement and make you appear indecisive. Choose the qualifier that best suits the strength of your skepticism.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is pretty implausible" functions as a subjective assessment, expressing a judgment about the likelihood or believability of a claim or situation. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct. It is typically used to introduce a counterargument or express skepticism.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Science

46%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "is pretty implausible" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to express skepticism or mild disagreement. As Ludwig AI confirms, this expression is acceptable in written English. It's frequently found in news, media and scientific contexts, offering a polite way to voice doubt. While not overly formal, it's best to opt for stronger and clearer alternatives in academic or professional writing. Remember to avoid overuse of softening qualifiers to maintain the impact of your statement. Consider replacing it with phrases like "seems quite unlikely", "appears rather doubtful", or "sounds highly improbable" for variety.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

seems quite unlikely

This alternative uses "unlikely" instead of "implausible", softening the tone slightly.

appears rather doubtful

Replaces "implausible" with "doubtful" and "pretty" with "rather", maintaining a similar level of skepticism.

sounds highly improbable

Uses "improbable" to replace "implausible" and "highly" for "pretty", emphasizing the unlikelihood.

is largely unconvincing

Shifts the focus to the lack of persuasiveness rather than strict implausibility.

doesn't hold much water

An idiomatic expression suggesting that the idea is weak and unsustainable.

strains credulity

A more formal and emphatic way of saying something is difficult to believe.

is a hard sell

Focuses on the difficulty of convincing someone of the idea's validity.

borders on the absurd

Suggests the idea is not only unlikely but also somewhat ridiculous.

stretches the imagination

Highlights that the idea requires a significant leap of faith to believe.

is far-fetched

Indicates that the idea is unlikely and unrealistic.

FAQs

What does "is pretty implausible" mean?

The phrase "is pretty implausible" suggests that something is unlikely to be true or realistic. It indicates a degree of disbelief or skepticism, implying that the idea or situation is difficult to accept as valid.

When is it appropriate to use "is pretty implausible"?

It is appropriate to use "is pretty implausible" when you want to express doubt or mild disagreement about the likelihood of something being true. It's a less confrontational way of saying something is not believable. You can also use alternatives like "seems quite unlikely", "appears rather doubtful" or "sounds highly improbable".

What are some stronger alternatives to "is pretty implausible"?

If you want to express stronger disbelief, you could use phrases like "is highly unlikely", "is completely unbelievable", or "is patently absurd". However, be mindful of the context and your audience when choosing a stronger phrase. You could also say "strains credulity".

Is "is pretty implausible" suitable for formal writing?

While "is pretty implausible" is generally acceptable, it might be too informal for certain types of formal writing. In academic or professional contexts, consider using more precise and formal alternatives like "is highly improbable" or "lacks empirical support".