it seems preposterous

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it seems preposterous" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing disbelief or skepticism about a statement or situation that appears absurd or unreasonable. Example: "The idea that we could finish the project in one day seems preposterous given the amount of work involved."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

It seems preposterous that the United States government or its agents would throw this teenage girl into a cage on an Air Force base.

The New York Times - Books

It seems preposterous now, but Amazon began as a bookstore.

The New Yorker

School for someone thirty inches high — it seems preposterous.

The New Yorker

Yes, it seems preposterous on the face of it.

The Guardian - Film

By these figures it seems preposterous to advance it as the world's second favourite.

The Economist

Looking back, it seems preposterous, as if one season of 97 victories could trump a century of gloom.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

At first it seemed preposterous.

The Guardian - Opinion

Throwing them into prison seems preposterous now; it seemed preposterous then, too.

The New Yorker

VANCOUVER, British Columbia — Six days ago, it seemed preposterous.

The New York Times

And four days ago, it seemed preposterous to suggest that he might this season.

The New York Times

Of course it seemed preposterous: the vast claims, comparisons to Proust, the peculiar specificity of Norway – when had I last read a living Norwegian?

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it seems preposterous" to express strong disagreement or disbelief in a situation you find absurd, but be mindful of your audience; in some contexts, it can be perceived as overly formal or even rude.

Common error

Avoid using "it seems preposterous" in casual conversation or informal writing. Simpler alternatives like "it's crazy" or "it's ridiculous" are usually more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it seems preposterous" functions as an evaluative expression, conveying the speaker's or writer's strong disbelief or skepticism towards a particular idea, situation, or statement. As noted by Ludwig, this phrase is frequently used in contexts where something appears unreasonable or absurd.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Science

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "it seems preposterous" is a common and grammatically correct way to express strong disbelief or incredulity. As Ludwig AI indicates, this phrase is particularly useful when describing a situation or idea that appears absurd or unreasonable. Its frequent use in news and media sources suggests a neutral to formal register. While effective, be mindful of the context and audience, as simpler alternatives might be more appropriate in casual settings. Ludwig's analysis underscores the phrase's utility in conveying a sense of disbelief regarding surprising or controversial claims.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it seems absurd

Replaces 'preposterous' with 'absurd', implying a higher degree of ridiculousness or unreasonableness.

it seems ridiculous

Substituting 'preposterous' with 'ridiculous' emphasizes the comical or laughable nature of the idea.

it seems ludicrous

Using 'ludicrous' instead of 'preposterous' suggests the idea is laughably or foolishly absurd.

it seems implausible

Replaces 'preposterous' with 'implausible', indicating the idea is not believable or likely.

it seems far-fetched

Replaces the phrase with one indicating that something is highly improbable or unlikely.

it seems unbelievable

Emphasizes the difficulty in accepting something as true or possible.

it seems unimaginable

Highlights the difficulty in forming a mental image or concept of something.

it seems unthinkable

Replaces 'preposterous' with 'unthinkable' implying that the idea is beyond consideration or acceptance.

it seems outrageous

Shifts the focus to the shocking or offensive nature of something.

it seems questionable

Substituting with 'questionable' introduces a degree of doubt or uncertainty.

FAQs

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

You can use "it seems preposterous" to express disbelief or strong disagreement, as in, "It seems preposterous that they would make such a decision without consulting anyone".

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

You can use alternatives like "it seems absurd", "it seems ridiculous", or "it seems ludicrous", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What's the difference between "it seems preposterous" and "it seems unlikely"?

"It seems preposterous" implies a higher degree of absurdity or incredulity than "it seems unlikely". The former suggests something is almost beyond belief, while the latter simply suggests something is not probable.

Is "it seemed preposterous" grammatically correct?

Yes, "it seemed preposterous" is the past tense form of the phrase and is grammatically correct. For example, "At first, it seemed preposterous, but later I understood the reasoning".