preposterous expectation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "preposterous expectation" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an expectation that is absurd or unreasonable. Example: "The company's demand for employees to work overtime without pay was a preposterous expectation that led to widespread dissatisfaction."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

The Guardian - Sport

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

The present war against Iraq -- justified in part by preposterous expectations that, having delivered Iraqis from their oppressor, the United States will bring liberal democracy to Iraq and then all the Arab world -- makes this unmistakable.

Los Angeles Times

"You'd need to play a team with an uncertain future that harps on its past glory," begins Jacob Doherty, "has unrealistic expectations and a preposterous self-image, and a manager that can't decide where to play the king of pop.

The Guardian - Sport

Koh said that the stories in the media about Chen's departure were "totally preposterous and inconceivable," explaining that there was no expectation that the fellowship would be open-ended.

The New Yorker

This is preposterous policy because long-term interest rates mirror inflationary expectations.

Forbes

You get rejected for preposterous reasons; then your appeal is met with non sequiturs and more confusion in the expectation you will just give up.

Forbes

Unlike the preposterous gadgets that turn up uninvited beneath the Christmas tree, they were purchased with enthusiasm and high culinary expectations.

The New York Times - Food

Sounds preposterous?

The New York Times

Preposterous, right?

The New York Times

Absolutely preposterous".

The New York Times

"That's preposterous.

Yale University

HOW preposterous?

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "preposterous expectation" to describe situations where expectations are not just unrealistic, but border on the absurd or ridiculous. It's stronger than simply saying something is "unlikely."

Common error

While "preposterous expectation" is acceptable, avoid overusing it in highly formal or professional writing. In such contexts, consider more neutral alternatives like "unrealistic expectation" or "untenable assumption."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "preposterous expectation" functions as a noun phrase where "preposterous" modifies the noun "expectation". It describes a particular quality of the expectation, indicating that it is absurd, ridiculous, or completely unreasonable. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Academia

33%

Formal & Business

33%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "preposterous expectation" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe an expectation that is absurd or completely unreasonable. Although Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, its frequency is relatively rare. It is commonly found in news and opinion pieces, and its register leans toward neutral, making it suitable for general use while being mindful of formality in professional contexts. Alternatives such as ""absurd expectation"" or ""unrealistic expectation"" may be considered based on the desired level of formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

absurd expectation

Replaces "preposterous" with "absurd", maintaining the core meaning of an unreasonable expectation but with a slightly different tone.

unrealistic expectation

Focuses on the lack of realism in the expectation, rather than its absurdity.

outlandish expectation

Uses "outlandish" to emphasize the bizarre or unconventional nature of the expectation.

ridiculous expectation

Emphasizes the laughable or derisory quality of the expectation.

ludicrous expectation

Similar to "ridiculous", but with a slightly more formal tone.

inconceivable expectation

Highlights the difficulty in imagining or accepting the expectation as possible.

far-fetched expectation

Indicates that the expectation is unlikely to be realized.

unfounded expectation

Suggests that the expectation lacks a solid basis or justification.

baseless expectation

Similar to "unfounded", emphasizing the lack of evidence supporting the expectation.

preposterous assumption

Substitutes "expectation" with "assumption", shifting the focus slightly to the underlying belief driving the expectation.

FAQs

How can I use "preposterous expectation" in a sentence?

You can use "preposterous expectation" to describe something that is not only unrealistic but also borders on the absurd. For example: "The company's demand for employees to work overtime without pay was a "preposterous expectation" that led to widespread dissatisfaction."

What can I say instead of "preposterous expectation"?

You can use alternatives like "absurd expectation", "unrealistic expectation", or "ridiculous expectation" depending on the context.

Is "preposterous expectation" formal or informal?

"Preposterous expectation" is generally suitable for neutral to slightly informal contexts. In very formal settings, consider using alternatives such as "untenable assumption" or "unrealistic forecast" for a more professional tone.

What is the difference between "preposterous expectation" and "unrealistic expectation"?

While both describe expectations that are unlikely to be met, "preposterous expectation" implies a higher degree of absurdity or ridiculousness compared to a simply "unrealistic expectation". "Preposterous" suggests the expectation is almost laughably unreasonable.