it seems untenable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it seems untenable" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing doubt or indicating that a situation or argument is not sustainable or defensible. Example: "Given the lack of evidence, it seems untenable to support that theory any further."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

It also seems untenable to continue to emphasize unilaterally the victimhood of child soldiers, as for example has been done in the work of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General of the UN and in the lobby work of many children's rights organizations.

BMC International Health and Human Rights

But that organization has changed so much, and splintered so much, since 2001 that to suggest a link to the attacks in New York and Washington seems untenable.

The New York Times

"If Dynegy steps away entirely from the merger, Enron's credit situation seems untenable, with a bankruptcy filing highly possible," wrote Ralph Pellecchia and Glen Grabelsky, the Fitch analysts following Enron.

The New York Times

For the moment, at least, the use of air strikes to force Mr. Hussein to readmit inspectors seems untenable because of international opposition.

The New York Times

Without thousands of additional soldiers — a prospect that seems untenable, given political pressures in both countries — the report recommends rethinking the American civilian presence, which is projected to number 17,000 diplomats, contractors and others in 15 sites in Iraq.

The New York Times

As a share of sales, medical-device companies' selling, general and administrative costs are more than double those of the typical industrial company, according to the Boston Consulting Group.This seems untenable.

The Economist

Voting fun Mourning, and questioning, in Bahrain On and on, they fight Libya and the bombed airliners Zambia's mystery bombs Trench warfare ReprintsOn the other hand, the government's policy of ignoring the protests while trying to improve standards of living seems untenable.

The Economist

"The idea that you are going to intervene in a civil war to save a bunch of people and then walk away while the civil war goes on and while a genocidal mass murderer still has the upper hand in armaments seems untenable.

The Guardian

Another is that Practical Strictness seems untenable (Way 2012; Cheng-Guajardo forthcoming).

SEP

Thomas Aquinas would later understand illumination as an infusion all at once at the start (see below), but this seems untenable as an interpretation of Augustine.

SEP

The City's position on the communicative nature of tattoos seems untenable in today's society.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it seems untenable" to express a well-reasoned judgment that a situation, argument, or course of action is unsustainable or cannot be defended. Ensure your context clearly explains why it's untenable.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "it seems untenable" can sound overly formal in casual conversation. Opt for simpler alternatives like "it doesn't seem possible" or "it won't work" in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it seems untenable" functions as an evaluative expression, presenting a reasoned judgment about the viability or defensibility of something. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

25%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

5%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it seems untenable" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed expression used to convey that a particular situation, argument, or course of action appears unsustainable or indefensible. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage and suggests that while it's appropriate for formal settings like news articles, academic papers, and professional reports, simpler alternatives might be better suited for informal conversation. When using the phrase, be clear about why something seems untenable, and consider alternatives like "it appears unsustainable" or "it appears indefensible" to fine-tune your meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it appears unsustainable

Focuses on the lack of ability to maintain a certain state or action.

it appears indefensible

Emphasizes the lack of justification or valid defense for something.

it seems unsustainable

Highlights the inability to continue or maintain something over time.

it seems impossible

Focuses on the lack of possibility or feasibility.

it seems impractical

Stresses the lack of practicality or usefulness in a real-world situation.

it seems unworkable

Highlights the lack of feasibility or ability to function effectively.

it seems illogical

Emphasizes the lack of logical reasoning or coherence.

it seems unreasonable

Focuses on the lack of reason or justification.

it seems implausible

Emphasizes the lack of believability or credibility.

it seems far-fetched

Highlights the improbability and lack of realism.

FAQs

What does "it seems untenable" mean?

The phrase "it seems untenable" means that something appears to be unsustainable, indefensible, or impossible to maintain. It suggests a situation or idea is not viable in the long term.

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

You can use alternatives like "it appears unsustainable", "it appears indefensible", or "it seems impossible" depending on the specific context.

How formal is the phrase "it seems untenable"?

The phrase "it seems untenable" is relatively formal and is best suited for academic, professional, or news-related contexts. In casual conversations, simpler alternatives may be more appropriate.

Is "it seems untenable" the same as "it is untenable"?

While similar, "it seems untenable" expresses a degree of uncertainty or subjectivity. "It is untenable" is a stronger statement implying a definitive judgment, while "it seems untenable" suggests an opinion or assessment based on available information.