it seems unworkable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it seems unworkable" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing doubt or skepticism about the feasibility of a plan, idea, or solution. Example: "After reviewing the proposal, it seems unworkable given our current resources and timeline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

On the surface it seems unworkable to drive investment from an industry that has reduced its costs by up to 30% in the past two years.

The Guardian

"I hope you never become a divorce lawyer or a car insurance company," Tom replies, "as, in either case, it seems unworkable to have a system in which, if someone thinks it's your fault, then it is".

The Guardian - Books

There is little clarity about the duration of offset programmes and it seems unworkable to lock businesses into managing reserves in perpetuity (even if this is desirable from an environmental point of view).

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

It also seems unworkable for me to honor Yosra's request that each time I post -- and as an LGBT and human rights advocate, I put up material many times a day -- I go down a list of 4,000 friends and 7,500 group page followers to selectively block the content from appearing for individuals who might not be thrilled by this post or that post.

Huffington Post

The whole thing seems unworkable".

The Guardian

What comes naturally to locals seems unworkable to visitors.

The Guardian - Travel

Some virologists adhere to a division of viruses into those that infect bacteria, plants, or animals; these classifications have some validity, particularly for the unique bacterial viruses with tails, but there is otherwise so much overlap that taxonomy based on hosts seems unworkable.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"It just seemed unworkable".

The New York Times

Lib Dem MPs are being told that a deal with Labour seemed unworkable and Labour has now abandoned its talks with the Lib Dems.

The Guardian

Old Andrew Jackson claimed that a President ought to veto any bill that seemed unworkable.

The New Yorker

If holidays seem unworkable, media trainer Geeta Nadkarni recommends implementing regular short breaks into your working life.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it seems unworkable", ensure that you provide a brief explanation as to why it appears so. This adds credibility to your assessment and invites further discussion.

Common error

Avoid using "it seems unworkable" as a definitive statement without proper evaluation. It's a perception, not necessarily a fact. Acknowledge the possibility that it might be workable under different conditions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it seems unworkable" functions as a subjective assessment, expressing doubt or skepticism about the practicality or feasibility of something. It presents an opinion rather than a definitive statement, aligning with Ludwig's assessment of the phrase as correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Encyclopedias

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it seems unworkable" is a grammatically sound and usable expression that conveys a subjective assessment of impracticality. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct. It commonly appears in neutral and professional contexts like news and media. While not overly frequent, it serves the purpose of expressing doubt or skepticism, inviting further analysis or discussion. When employing this phrase, providing a brief explanation can strengthen your assessment. Alternatives like "it appears impractical" or "it looks unfeasible" offer similar shades of meaning. This phrase presents an opinion rather than a definitive statement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it appears impractical

Substitutes "seems" with "appears" and "unworkable" with "impractical" for a slightly more formal tone.

it looks unfeasible

Replaces "seems" with "looks" offering a more visual connotation, and "unworkable" with "unfeasible", suggesting impossibility.

it doesn't seem viable

Replaces "unworkable" with "not viable" providing a more concise expression of infeasibility.

it feels untenable

Uses "feels" instead of "seems" to convey a subjective sense of instability, replacing "unworkable" with "untenable".

it strikes me as impossible

Expresses a personal judgment of impossibility, replacing "seems unworkable" with a more direct assertion.

the plan lacks feasibility

Shifts the focus to the "plan" and directly states that it lacks feasibility, altering the sentence structure.

it presents insurmountable challenges

Focuses on the challenges involved, suggesting they are too difficult to overcome, differing from the original focus on workability.

it suggests a dead end

Uses a metaphorical expression to indicate the lack of a positive outcome or solution.

it gives the impression of being flawed

Focuses on the perceived imperfections of the idea, rather than its practicality.

it projects an image of failure

Emphasizes the likely negative outcome, differing from the initial focus on the process.

FAQs

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

You can use "it seems unworkable" to express doubt about the practicality of an idea or plan. For example: "The proposal, while innovative, "it seems unworkable" given the limited resources available." Note that the phrase indicates a subjective assessment rather than a proven fact.

What's the difference between "it seems unworkable" and "it is unworkable"?

"It seems unworkable" suggests a perception or initial assessment, while "it is unworkable" is a more definitive statement implying a proven or confirmed state. The former leaves room for potential solutions or different perspectives, whereas the latter asserts a more conclusive judgment.

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

Alternatives include "it appears impractical", "it looks unfeasible", or "it doesn't seem viable" depending on the context. These alternatives maintain a similar level of skepticism regarding the practicality of something.

When is it appropriate to use "it seems unworkable" in writing?

It is appropriate to use "it seems unworkable" when you want to express a preliminary or tentative judgment about the feasibility of a plan or idea. It's useful when you want to introduce doubt or skepticism without making a definitive claim. For example: "After the initial review, "it seems unworkable" to implement these changes by the deadline."