is rather far-fetched

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is rather far-fetched" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an idea or concept that seems unlikely or implausible. Example: "The theory he proposed about time travel is rather far-fetched and lacks scientific evidence."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

This scenario is rather far-fetched.

The Economist

But any legal victory would be hollow unless the record labels come up with attractive online services of their own and do so fast.Napster's defence is rather far-fetched.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

The sci-fi vision of police officers rushing to the scene of a crime before any crime has even been committed may be rather far-fetched but technology is increasingly playing a role in the modern police force.

BBC

The idea of a violent insurrection in response to all of this is still rather far-fetched, but the proliferation of antifascist activism in the Trump era has shown that rage and radical politics are not exactly extinct, either.

Vice

(It is, however, rather far-fetched to claim, as the government sometimes does, that Japan's $1.1 trillion-worth of net foreign assets, mostly owned by the private sector, should somehow be set against its public debts).But however faithful its bond-buyers, the government will soon have to rein in the growth of its debts.

The Economist

The risks of too little sodium in the context of the horribly sorry, typical American diet are both theoretical, and rather far-fetched.

Huffington Post

As minister for health, Serra took on the power of both tobacco and the international pharmaceutical industry and so attempts to portray him as some type of stooge of Washington are, to put it politely, rather far-fetched.

The Guardian - Opinion

In a later paper, he suggested a way to achieve it: "This seems rather far-fetched, but it is conceivable that molecular biologists could engineer a particular cell type to be sensitive to light".

The New Yorker

Rather far-fetched, it was entertaining in the sub-Hitchcock style that characterised his work in cloak and dagger movies.

The Guardian - Film

I used to think that the Valhalla collection -- a series of four whiskies created to honor the Norse gods that were once worshipped on the Orkney islands where Highland Park's distillery is located -- was rather silly and far-fetched.

Huffington Post

certainly, it seems rather far-fetched).

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "is rather far-fetched", ensure the context clearly indicates what specific idea or claim is being assessed as unlikely. This provides clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

While "is rather far-fetched" is acceptable, consider using more precise language in formal contexts to convey the degree of improbability. Alternatives like "is highly improbable" or "lacks substantial evidence" can enhance clarity and sophistication.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is rather far-fetched" functions as a predicate adjective, describing a subject (idea, claim, scenario, etc.) as improbable or unrealistic. As noted by Ludwig, the phrase is considered correct for use in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "is rather far-fetched" is a grammatically sound and usable expression to describe something improbable or unrealistic. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and presents various examples from news and media sources. While acceptable in both formal and informal contexts, consider alternatives like "is highly improbable" or "lacks credible support" for enhanced precision in formal writing. Use this phrase judiciously, ensuring the context clearly identifies what you're deeming unlikely.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is quite improbable

Implies a lower probability than "is rather far-fetched".

is somewhat unrealistic

Focuses on the lack of realism, rather than just being improbable.

is a bit of a stretch

Suggests the idea requires some imaginative or illogical leaps.

is hardly believable

Emphasizes the difficulty in accepting the idea as true.

is not very plausible

Highlights the lack of credibility or likelihood.

is rather dubious

Indicates a degree of doubt or suspicion.

is a remote possibility

Underscores the low chances of occurrence.

is on the unlikely side

Informal way of saying something isn't likely to happen.

seems a long shot

Emphasizes the low probability of success.

is grasping at straws

Suggests a desperate and unlikely attempt.

FAQs

How can I use "is rather far-fetched" in a sentence?

The phrase "is rather far-fetched" is used to express that an idea, suggestion, or claim is unlikely or unrealistic. For example: "His explanation for the missing money "is rather far-fetched", and I don't believe it."

What are some alternatives to "is rather far-fetched"?

You can use alternatives like "is quite improbable", "is somewhat unrealistic", or "is a bit of a stretch" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "is rather far-fetched" in formal writing?

While acceptable, using "is rather far-fetched" in formal writing might be less impactful than more precise alternatives. Consider stronger phrases like "is highly improbable" or "lacks credible support" for greater clarity and sophistication.

What's the difference between "is rather far-fetched" and "is impossible"?

"Is rather far-fetched" suggests a low probability or lack of realism, while "is impossible" indicates something cannot occur under any circumstances. The former leaves room for potential, however unlikely, while the latter is definitive.