it's unacceptable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it's unacceptable" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express disapproval or to indicate that something does not meet a certain standard or expectation. Example: "The behavior displayed during the meeting was completely unprofessional, and it's unacceptable in our workplace."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

General Discourse

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

"[Liam's] attitude, well, it's unacceptable," Ant said in February.

The Guardian - Music

It's unacceptable".

The New York Times - Sports

"It's unacceptable," Burnett said.

The New York Times - Sports

"It's unacceptable," he said.

The New York Times

It's unacceptable to me".

The New York Times - Sports

"It's unacceptable and intolerable.

The New York Times

His attitude, well, it's unacceptable".

Independent

But still, it's unacceptable behaviour.

Independent

It's a disgrace, it's unacceptable.

The New Yorker

It's unacceptable, and it's shameful".

The New York Times

It's outrageous, and it's unacceptable".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it's unacceptable" to clearly and directly express disapproval or disagreement with a particular action, behavior, or situation. It is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, although consider more formal alternatives like "inadmissible" or "impermissible" for highly formal settings.

Common error

While "it's unacceptable" is versatile, avoid overusing it in casual conversation where more nuanced or less forceful language might be more appropriate. For example, instead of saying "It's unacceptable that you're late", try "I'm a little concerned about the delay."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it's unacceptable" functions as an evaluative statement, expressing disapproval, rejection, or disagreement with a particular situation, behavior, or outcome. It asserts that something does not meet required standards or expectations, which is consistent with Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Sports

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Science

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it's unacceptable" is a common and grammatically sound way to express disapproval or indicate that something fails to meet standards. According to Ludwig, it is widely used in news, sports, and business contexts. While versatile, its directness makes it suited for situations requiring clarity and impact. When writing, consider the formality of the setting; in very formal contexts, alternatives like "that's inadmissible" might be more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that is simply not acceptable

Rephrases the original phrase with a slight emphasis on simplicity.

that's just wrong

Simple and direct way to express disapproval.

that's not allowed

States a direct prohibition, suitable for various contexts.

that's intolerable

Highlights the inability to endure or put up with something, suggesting a high degree of aversion.

that's out of the question

Indicates something is definitely not possible or acceptable, conveying a strong rejection.

that's inadmissible

Emphasizes the idea that something cannot be allowed or tolerated, often in a formal context.

that cannot be condoned

Emphasizes that something should not be excused or forgiven, suggesting a moral dimension.

that's not on

Informal way of saying something is not right or fair, common in British English.

that's impermissible

Focuses on the lack of permission or authorization, often used in official or rule-based settings.

that's beyond the pale

Implies that something is far outside the bounds of acceptable behavior.

FAQs

How can I use "it's unacceptable" in a sentence?

You can use "it's unacceptable" to express strong disapproval or to indicate that something doesn't meet the required standards. For example, "It's unacceptable to treat employees disrespectfully".

What are some alternatives to "it's unacceptable"?

Alternatives include "that's inadmissible", "that's intolerable", or "that's not allowed", depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "it's unacceptable" in formal writing?

Use "it's unacceptable" in formal writing when you need to convey a clear and strong message of disapproval or non-compliance. However, consider using more formal alternatives like "that's impermissible" or "that's inadmissible" in very formal contexts.

What's the difference between "it's unacceptable" and "it's disappointing"?

"It's unacceptable" conveys a stronger sense of disapproval and a higher degree of non-compliance, while "it's disappointing" expresses sadness or regret without necessarily implying that something is wrong or inappropriate.