it seems a preposterous idea

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it seems a preposterous idea" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing doubt or disbelief about a particular idea or suggestion that appears unreasonable or absurd. Example: "After considering the proposal, it seems a preposterous idea to invest in such a risky venture."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Israelis still want the P.L.O. to help ensure their security, but in the face of current conditions, it seems a preposterous idea.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

It seemed a preposterous idea from the restaurant proprietor Jean-Georges Vongerichten: a slightly spartan, vegetable-centric restaurant in the dark, low-ceilinged recesses of an upscale furniture store in the Flatiron district.

The New Yorker

By Amelia Lester It seemed a preposterous idea from the restaurant proprietor Jean-Georges Vongerichten: a slightly spartan, vegetable-centric restaurant in the dark, low-ceilinged recesses of an upscale furniture store in the Flatiron district.

The New Yorker

In principle it seems a good idea.

The Economist

It was a preposterous idea.

The New York Times

It was a preposterous idea that, playing along with a twinkle, he did nothing to disabuse.

The Guardian - Sport

In 2006, it seemed a great idea.

Independent

It seemed a crazy idea.

Forbes

"I e-mailed them and tried not to sound insane — I mean, it's such a preposterous idea".

The New York Times

It's not such a preposterous idea.

Huffington Post

Yes, You'll See It: A Musical Saw It seemed quite preposterous, the idea of substituting a harmonica and accordion for the woodwinds of Bach's orchestral suites.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use this phrase when you want to express that an idea is not only unlikely but also borders on being ridiculous or absurd. It's stronger than simply saying an idea is 'unrealistic'.

Common error

While acceptable, "it seems a preposterous idea" can sound slightly informal in highly formal or academic writing. Consider stronger, more direct alternatives like "the premise is untenable" or "the assumption is flawed" for such settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it seems a preposterous idea" functions as an expression of disbelief or disagreement. It presents a subjective assessment of an idea, characterizing it as absurd and unreasonable. Ludwig confirms the expression correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "it seems a preposterous idea" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to convey disbelief or disagreement with an idea that seems absurd or illogical. Ludwig AI confirms that this expression is correct and can be used in a wide variety of contexts. While generally neutral, in highly formal settings, alternatives like "the premise is untenable" may be more appropriate. Several related phrases exist, such as "it appears to be an absurd notion" or "it strikes me as a ludicrous concept", offering subtle variations in tone and intensity. Understanding its usage and exploring alternatives enhances one's ability to express skepticism effectively.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it appears to be an absurd notion

Replaces "seems" with "appears to be" and "preposterous idea" with "absurd notion", maintaining a similar level of formality.

it seems an outlandish thought

Swaps "preposterous" for "outlandish", keeping a similar level of formality.

it strikes me as a ludicrous concept

Substitutes "seems" with "strikes me as" and "preposterous idea" with "ludicrous concept", adding a slightly more emphatic tone.

it feels like a ridiculous proposition

Changes "seems" to "feels like" and "preposterous idea" to "ridiculous proposition", making it slightly more informal.

it comes across as a far-fetched suggestion

Replaces "seems" with "comes across as" and "preposterous idea" with "far-fetched suggestion", emphasizing the implausibility.

the idea seems utterly absurd

Focuses on the idea itself and intensifies the absurdity with "utterly".

it looks like a nonsensical plan

Uses "looks like" instead of "seems" and replaces "preposterous idea" with "nonsensical plan", making it slightly more direct.

it presents itself as a crazy thought

Employs "presents itself as" and "crazy thought" for a more informal and descriptive tone.

that's a laughable notion

Shortens the phrase and uses "laughable" to highlight the absurdity.

that sounds like a wild fantasy

Replaces the original phrase with a more imaginative and less formal expression.

FAQs

How can I use "it seems a preposterous idea" in a sentence?

You can use "it seems a preposterous idea" when you want to express that something appears to be absurd or ridiculous. For example, "After considering the proposal, "it seems a preposterous idea" to invest in such a risky venture."

What can I say instead of "it seems a preposterous idea"?

You can use alternatives like "it appears to be an absurd notion", "it strikes me as a ludicrous concept", or "it feels like a ridiculous proposition" depending on the context.

Is "it seems a preposterous idea" formal or informal?

"It seems a preposterous idea" is generally considered neutral in formality. While usable in most contexts, for highly formal writing, stronger and more direct alternatives might be preferable.

What's the difference between "it seems a preposterous idea" and "it seems like a preposterous idea"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct and convey the same meaning. The inclusion of "like" makes the phrase slightly more informal and conversational, but the difference is minimal.