it seems unreasonable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it seems unreasonable" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing doubt or disagreement with a situation, decision, or expectation that appears illogical or unfair. Example: "Given the circumstances, it seems unreasonable to expect us to meet the deadline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

42 human-written examples

"It seems unreasonable to close the account arbitrarily on 11 November," he said.

The Guardian

In one sense it seems unreasonable to expect any more, given the evident weakness in the Seahorses' squad.

The Guardian - Sport

So it seems unreasonable to start moaning now a player's fiancee is behaving exactly as many of us would.

The Guardian - Opinion

I do hope so; on the face of it, it seems unreasonable that you should be penalised in this way.

The Guardian - Money

For another, it seems unreasonable to expect personal consumption to power recovery all the way back to full employment, no matter what interest rates or oil prices do.

The Economist

At least two computer programs exist that would score a relatively high phi, yet it seems unreasonable to call either one "conscious".

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

17 human-written examples

Nor, on its face, did it seem unreasonable for her to say, as she did, Where do we go from here?

The New Yorker

It seemed unreasonable.

The New Yorker

After some weeks there came a reply saying that since a cup was broken, it seemed unreasonable that she put in a claim for both cup & saucer.

The New Yorker

Based on the number of patients it seemed unreasonable to adjust for more variables.

British Journal of Cancer

One centre had only one participant recruited, and it seemed unreasonable to undergo the effort of study submission to the Ethics Committee for this single case.

BMC Oral Health

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it seems unreasonable", consider adding a specific reason or explanation for why it appears that way. This strengthens your argument and makes it more persuasive.

Common error

Avoid relying solely on passive constructions when using "it seems unreasonable". Instead, try to identify the actor or cause contributing to the unreasonableness to make your critique more direct and impactful.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it seems unreasonable" functions as an evaluative expression. It introduces a subjective assessment of a situation, suggesting that something does not align with logic, fairness, or accepted norms. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "it seems unreasonable" is a versatile tool for expressing disagreement or doubt in a polite and reasoned manner. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and widely used in various contexts, notably in News & Media and Scientific writing. While it's suitable for formal settings, remember to provide specific reasons for your assessment to strengthen your argument. Consider alternative phrases like "it appears unjustified" or "it seems illogical" to fine-tune your message. Avoid overuse of passive voice to ensure clarity and impact in your critique.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it seems unwarranted

Highlights that there's no sufficient reason for the action or expectation.

it appears unjustified

Emphasizes the lack of justification or valid reason.

it lacks justification

Emphasizes the absence of a valid explanation or reason.

it feels unjust

Focuses on the feeling of unfairness rather than the lack of reason.

it is difficult to justify

Highlights the challenge in finding a valid reason or excuse.

it doesn't seem fair

Uses a more informal tone while maintaining the core meaning.

it looks unfair

Uses a more direct and less formal term (unfair) to express a similar idea.

it strikes me as unfair

Adds a personal perspective to the observation of unfairness.

it's hard to defend

Emphasizes the indefensible nature of the situation or action.

it defies logic

Focuses specifically on the lack of logical basis.

FAQs

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

You can use "it seems unreasonable" to express disagreement or doubt about a situation, decision, or expectation that appears illogical or unfair. For example, "Given the circumstances, "it seems unreasonable" to expect us to meet the deadline."

What are some alternatives to saying "it seems unreasonable"?

Alternatives include phrases like "it appears unjustified", "it seems illogical", or "it seems unwarranted", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "it seems unreasonable" or "it is unreasonable"?

The choice depends on your intent. "It is unreasonable" is a stronger, more assertive statement. "It seems unreasonable" expresses doubt or disagreement in a more tentative or polite way.

Can "it seems unreasonable" be used in formal writing?

Yes, ""it seems unreasonable"" is appropriate for formal writing, especially when expressing a reasoned objection or questioning the logic of a proposal or situation.