kind of preposterous

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "kind of preposterous" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a mild disbelief or skepticism about something that seems absurd or unreasonable. Example: "The idea that we could finish the project in one day is kind of preposterous."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

It's kind of preposterous that it's turned into such a gigantic deal".

The Guardian

This is the kind of preposterous, laughable, no good, very real day that makes me want to scream, "Screw this, I'm moving to Canyon Ranch!" But who would care?

Huffington Post

If credit-default swaps and structured investment vehicles are legal, as they are, and if marching in the streets is becoming ever less so, as it is, then on January 16th we should begin to turn that kind of preposterous world upside down.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

One looked as if it were wrapped in cellophane, clearly designed for sneakerheads who collect these kinds of preposterous things like zealous numismatists.

The New York Times

"'Oh Angel, I just hope this cue is good enough.' These are the kinds of preposterous things that John Williams says at his own scoring sessions," Abrams said.

The Guardian - Film

Just asking that question sucks you into a world that's like Pizzagate on bath salts, a galaxy-brained, 4chan-bred conspiracy theory that has apparently convinced an alarming number of adults that all kinds of preposterous things are true.

Vice

President Eisenhower's aide Arthur Larson said Holman's warnings were part of "all kinds of preposterous and legally lunatic scares [that] were raised," including "that the International Court would take over our tariff and immigration controls, and then our education, post offices, military and welfare activities".

Wikipedia

Cinematic police officers, outlaws and international men of mystery are usually the ones allowed to get away with this kind of dizzyingly preposterous swagger.

The New York Times

"The notion that there is some kind of subterfuge is preposterous," said Noah J. Hanft, MasterCard's general counsel.

The New York Times

Because animation is less rule-bound than live action, writers can use the kind of shtick that would seem preposterous on film, even if it could be executed.

The New York Times

"The notion that he ever did anything that justified his detention, or ever was or is any kind of threat to the United States, is preposterous," Mr. Remes said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "kind of preposterous" to express a nuanced level of disbelief or mild disagreement, rather than outright rejection. It softens the statement while still conveying your skepticism.

Common error

Avoid using "kind of preposterous" too frequently in your writing, as overuse of "kind of" can weaken your arguments and make your writing seem less confident. Use stronger, more direct language when appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "kind of preposterous" functions as a qualifier, softening the adjective "preposterous". It expresses a degree of absurdity or unbelievability, making the statement less absolute. As noted by Ludwig AI, the phrase is usable in written English to express a mild disbelief.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "kind of preposterous" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase to express a mild form of disbelief or absurdity. Ludwig AI confirms its validity for written English, suggesting it is used to convey something is somewhat unreasonable. While not overly formal, its neutral register makes it appropriate for various contexts, particularly in news and media. As noted in this analysis, substituting it with alternatives like "somewhat absurd" or "rather ridiculous" can adjust the intensity of the sentiment. The phrase offers a nuanced way to express skepticism without being overly direct.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Somewhat absurd

Replaces "kind of preposterous" with a more direct expression of absurdity; it's slightly stronger.

A touch absurd

Similar to "somewhat absurd" but implies a lesser degree of absurdity.

Rather ridiculous

Substitutes "preposterous" with "ridiculous", suggesting something laughably unreasonable.

A bit far-fetched

Indicates the idea seems unlikely or exaggerated.

Slightly ludicrous

Uses "ludicrous" to emphasize the ridiculous nature of something, implying it's comical due to its absurdity.

Sort of outlandish

Replaces "preposterous" with "outlandish", suggesting strangeness and unconventionality.

Kind of unbelievable

Focuses on the difficulty in believing something, highlighting its improbability.

Rather implausible

Implies something is not believable or likely to happen.

A little questionable

Indicates doubt or uncertainty about the validity or reasonableness of something.

Somewhat dubious

Expresses skepticism and doubt regarding the truth or feasibility of something.

FAQs

How can I use "kind of preposterous" in a sentence?

You can use "kind of preposterous" to express mild disbelief or skepticism. For example, "The suggestion that we could finish the project in a day is "kind of preposterous"."

What are some alternatives to "kind of preposterous"?

Some alternatives include "somewhat absurd", "rather ridiculous", or "a bit far-fetched depending on the context".

Is it grammatically correct to say "kind of preposterous"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. The phrase follows standard English grammar rules and is commonly used to express a softened or less direct form of disbelief.

What is the difference between "kind of preposterous" and "preposterous"?

"Kind of preposterous" expresses a milder level of disbelief or absurdity compared to simply saying "preposterous", which conveys a stronger and more direct statement of something being absurd.