not a stretch to say

USAGE SUMMARY

"not a stretch to say" is a correct phrase and can be used in written English.
For example, "It is not a stretch to say that the economy has improved significantly over the last few years."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It's not a stretch to say that soldiers sometimes feel unappreciated and forgotten.

The New York Times

It's not a stretch to say you feel like a bird.

The New York Times - Travel

It's not a stretch to say that schools have become the city's bandages.

The New York Times - Arts

It is not a stretch to say that Fahmi's Bookshop is a mainstay of Jerusalem cultural outreach.

The New Yorker

It is not a stretch to say that as Indonesia goes, so goes Asia, and America's security in the region.

The New York Times

It's not a stretch to say it can get to 10 or 12 percent of the world's population".

The New York Times

It was not a stretch to say that Moore was the worst pitcher in June and Wells the worst batter.

The New York Times - Sports

It's not a stretch to say that wireless networks face increasing demands on their spectrum and infrastructure resources.

MIT Technology Review

It is not a stretch to say that a few Leavers might share its sense of beleagueredness.

The Guardian - Music

It is not a stretch to say the mill in Maynard is a microcosm of the U.S. economy.

The New York Times - Magazine

Nonetheless, it is not a stretch to say that if you want to understand competition today, you have to think about inequality.

Harvard Business Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "not a stretch to say" when you want to introduce an idea that might seem like a slight exaggeration but is, in your opinion, a reasonable assessment of the situation. It's best used to bridge the gap between the obvious and a slightly bolder interpretation.

Common error

While "not a stretch to say" is a useful phrase, overuse can make your writing sound repetitive and uninspired. Vary your sentence structure and word choice by incorporating alternative expressions such as "it's reasonable to suggest" or "it's fair to assume" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not a stretch to say" serves as a hedge, softening the assertion of a claim. It introduces a statement that might seem somewhat exaggerated, yet remains plausible given the available evidence. Ludwig provides numerous examples demonstrating this function across various domains.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

84%

Formal & Business

10%

Science

6%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "not a stretch to say" is a versatile phrase used to introduce a statement that represents a reasonable inference, though it might appear as a slight exaggeration. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage, predominantly in News & Media and Formal & Business contexts. While slightly informal, it serves as a useful hedge to soften assertions, allowing writers and speakers to express potentially strong opinions while acknowledging a degree of subjectivity. To avoid repetition, consider alternatives such as "it's reasonable to suggest" or "it's fair to assume". This phrase is valuable for conveying nuanced perspectives across a variety of communication styles.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it's reasonable to suggest

Uses "reasonable" to imply a logical conclusion instead of minimizing exaggeration.

it's fair to assume

Emphasizes the fairness or justification of the assumption.

one could argue

Introduces a claim that can be defended with reasoning.

it's plausible that

Highlights the believability or possibility of something.

it's conceivable that

Focuses on the possibility or imaginability of a scenario.

it's not unreasonable to think

Similar in meaning, but uses "unreasonable" in the negative to soften the statement.

it stands to reason

Indicates that something is logically expected or follows from known facts.

it wouldn't be surprising if

Expresses a lack of surprise if a particular event were to occur.

it's a safe bet

Suggests a high probability or likelihood of something happening.

it's a tenable position

Indicates that a viewpoint is defensible and can be maintained.

FAQs

How can I use "not a stretch to say" in a sentence?

You can use "not a stretch to say" to introduce a statement that you believe is a reasonable interpretation of a situation, even if it might seem slightly exaggerated. For example, "It's not a stretch to say that the company's new strategy will revolutionize the industry."

What are some alternatives to "not a stretch to say"?

Alternatives include "it's reasonable to suggest", "it's fair to assume", or "one could argue". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is "not a stretch to say" too informal for academic writing?

While generally acceptable, "not a stretch to say" might be considered slightly informal for strict academic writing. In such contexts, consider alternatives like "it's plausible that" or "it's conceivable that" to maintain a more formal tone.

What does "not a stretch to say" actually mean?

"Not a stretch to say" means that a particular statement is a reasonable or justifiable conclusion, even if it might seem like a slight overstatement. It implies that the idea is within the realm of possibility or logical inference.