not tenable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "not tenable" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe a situation, argument, or position that cannot be maintained or defended. Example: "The evidence presented was insufficient, making the defendant's claims not tenable in court."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

His position is not tenable.

The Guardian - Opinion

The first ground obviously is not tenable.

Cornell University

"Of course this is not tenable".

The New York Times

It's just not tenable," said Taylor.

The Guardian - Business

But, passing this, the objection is not tenable.

Cornell University

"Because her own decisions are not tenable," Sam said.

The New Yorker

It points out that the status quo is not tenable: change has to come.

The Guardian - Opinion

That is not tenable, when we are all being asked to be complicit in a death.

The New Yorker

But she said: "If that is not tenable, my primary role is at the BBC".

The Guardian

Shadow culture, media and sport secretary Ivan Lewis said: "Mr Blatter's position is not tenable.

Independent

That position is not tenable now, with Taiwan a democracy and Communism gone from Europe.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "not tenable", ensure the context clearly indicates why the situation or argument is unsustainable or indefensible. Provide specific reasons or evidence to strengthen your point.

Common error

While "not tenable" is a perfectly valid phrase, avoid using it excessively in casual conversations. Simpler alternatives like "unsustainable" or "doesn't hold up" might be more appropriate for informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not tenable" functions as an adjective phrase, typically modifying a noun or pronoun to describe a situation, argument, or position that cannot be maintained or defended. As confirmed by Ludwig, it correctly expresses that something is unsustainable or indefensible.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

33%

Academia

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "not tenable" is a common and grammatically sound way to express that something cannot be maintained or defended. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is indeed usable in written English. With examples spanning across news, science, and academia, its versatility is evident. While alternatives such as "unsustainable" or "indefensible" exist, "not tenable" maintains a level of formality suitable for diverse professional and academic contexts. When employing this phrase, clarity regarding the specific reasons for its untenability is crucial for effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unsustainable

Emphasizes the inability to maintain a certain state or activity over time.

indefensible

Highlights the lack of justification or support for a position or action.

unjustifiable

Focuses on the absence of a valid reason or excuse.

unsupportable

Stresses the lack of evidence or arguments to back up a claim.

invalid

Indicates that something is not based on sound reasoning or evidence.

flawed

Highlights the presence of defects or shortcomings that undermine the validity of something.

unfounded

Implies a lack of a solid basis or foundation.

unreasonable

Suggests that something is not logical or sensible.

implausible

Conveys that something is difficult to believe.

inadmissible

Specifically used to denote something that cannot be accepted, often in legal contexts.

FAQs

What does "not tenable" mean?

The phrase "not tenable" means something cannot be defended, maintained, or continued. It suggests that a position, argument, or situation is unsustainable or impossible to support.

What are some alternatives to "not tenable"?

You can use alternatives like "unsustainable", "indefensible", or "unjustifiable" depending on the context.

How to use "not tenable" in a sentence?

You can use "not tenable" to describe a position or argument that cannot be defended: "The evidence presented was insufficient, making the defendant's claims "not tenable" in court."

Is it better to use "not tenable" or "unsustainable"?

Both "not tenable" and "unsustainable" can be used to describe something that cannot be maintained. "Not tenable" is often used in more formal or academic contexts, while "unsustainable" can be more widely applied.