it is unrealistic to assume

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it is unrealistic to assume" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing a situation or belief that is not based on practical or reasonable expectations. Example: "In light of the evidence presented, it is unrealistic to assume that the project will be completed on time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

34 human-written examples

Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani has said that one of the reasons for the slow response to the attacks in Central Park is that "it is unrealistic to assume that police officers can be everywhere at all times, particularly when they are dealing with a parade" (front page, June 13).

The New York Times

"It is unrealistic to assume no change," he said.

The New York Times

It is unrealistic to assume that the transition will be easy, but Africa cannot afford to fail.

The New York Times

It is unrealistic to assume that the standards set down by the Court today will not be applied to hosts in other social situations.

Harvard University

It is unrealistic to assume that a professional Afghan National Army can be raised and fully assigned the task of securing the country within a short time frame.

The New York Times

In developing models to represent the control problem, it is unrealistic to assume that every component of the state vector can be measured exactly and instantaneously.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

26 human-written examples

It's unrealistic to assume you can commit 100percentnt forever and if you can't do that, it's tough to stay at the top.

The Guardian - Sport

Supporters said the administration was being unfairly criticized by activists who fail to accept that it's unrealistic to assume the world can quickly transition to renewable energy sources.

The Washington Post

But it added that it was unrealistic to assume that Greece, faced with a prolonged period of slow growth following a 25% contraction in its economy since 2009, could run permanent budget surpluses excluding debt interest payments of 3.5% of GDP.

The Guardian - Business

But the Swansea-born peer told the Victoria Derbyshire programme it was "unrealistic" to assume Mrs May would fight the next poll as Tory leader.

BBC

It's unrealistic to assume you'll never have a glass of wine again, so rather than trying to eliminate everything that isn't perfectly healthy for you, identify your worst habits and work on those while allowing yourself other vices here and there.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it is unrealistic to assume", ensure that you provide a clear explanation or evidence to support why the assumption is not realistic. This strengthens your argument and enhances credibility.

Common error

Avoid using hyperbolic language or exaggeration when explaining why an assumption is unrealistic. Present a balanced perspective, acknowledging any potential counterarguments before clearly stating the reasons for your conclusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it is unrealistic to assume" functions as a qualifying statement, used to introduce a counterargument or challenge a presupposition that the speaker deems impractical or unfounded. Ludwig examples show usage across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Science

52%

Academia

13%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it is unrealistic to assume" serves as a pragmatic tool for disputing improbable beliefs across a wide array of contexts, but mostly in news and science. As Ludwig AI highlights, the expression's grammatical soundness and frequent use in authoritative sources like The New York Times and Forbes contributes to its credibility, and should be accompanied by a reasoned explanation to maximize its impact. Related phrases include "it is impractical to presume" and "it is unreasonable to expect".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it is impractical to presume

Replaces "unrealistic" with "impractical" and "assume" with "presume", indicating a lack of feasibility.

one cannot reasonably assume

Uses more formal language and indirect construction to express the lack of reasonable basis for the assumption.

it is unreasonable to expect

Shifts focus from assumption to expectation, highlighting the lack of reason behind the anticipation.

it's far-fetched to think

Uses more informal language ("far-fetched", "think") to convey the idea that the assumption is unlikely.

it's improbable to think

Directly states the low probability of the assumption being true.

it's a stretch to believe

Employs idiomatic language ("a stretch") to suggest that the belief requires a significant leap of faith.

it defies logic to suppose

Emphasizes the assumption's contradiction of logical reasoning.

it would be naive to imagine

Suggests a lack of experience or awareness if someone were to make such an assumption.

it's overly optimistic to anticipate

Highlights the excessive optimism involved in expecting something to happen.

it is wishful thinking to imagine

Suggests the assumption is based on desire rather than reality.

FAQs

How can I use "it is unrealistic to assume" in a sentence?

You can use "it is unrealistic to assume" to introduce a statement that counters a commonly held or implied belief that lacks practical justification. For example: "It is unrealistic to assume that everyone will agree with the new policy".

What are some alternatives to "it is unrealistic to assume"?

Alternatives include "it is impractical to presume", "it is unreasonable to expect", or "it's far-fetched to think". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "it is unrealistic to assume" or "it would be unrealistic to assume"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct, but "it is unrealistic to assume" presents the assumption as currently flawed, while "it would be unrealistic to assume" discusses a hypothetical or future scenario.

What's the difference between "it is unrealistic to assume" and "it is unlikely to be true"?

"It is unrealistic to assume" challenges the basis of an assumption, suggesting it's not grounded in reality. "It is unlikely to be true" simply states a low probability of something being accurate, without directly criticizing the assumption itself.