preposterous situation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "preposterous situation" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a scenario that is absurd, ridiculous, or contrary to reason. Example: "The idea that we could finish the project in one day was a preposterous situation that left everyone feeling overwhelmed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

"So you have had this preposterous situation where the UK government and the Welsh government regularly go to the supreme court to argue about who is responsible for bylaws or agricultural wages.

The Guardian

But the wit and invention of Mr. Tolins's writing and the immersive storytelling skills of Mr. Urie are such that not only do they spin a sturdy narrative out of this preposterous situation, they actually persuade you to buy into it.

The New York Times

Fortunately, thanks to Toews's off-kilter sense of humor, Irma is also in a preposterous situation, surrounded by hilarious characters, including a 41-year-old German actress who tells her that because of an unspecified trauma she "stopped progressing at 14" and has a 16-year-old son who is "spiritually much older.

The New York Times

Prepare your responses as in a funny game, where you are always ready and aware to detect his next move: "what else will he come up with now"? and laugh at the preposterous situation this employee creates for you and for him.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Reading to a child about ridiculous characters in preposterous situations can be entertaining.

The New York Times - Books

But others argued that Westerners simply lacked the education in totalitarianism that revealed his preposterous situations as merely slightly exaggerated versions of everyday realities.

The New York Times

Not just an impressive physique and the physicality of a young Marlon Brando, but also a surprising sensitivity, a lightness of manner that makes him credible even in preposterous situations.

The New York Times

If Punk'd's raison d'etre was to be as brutal as possible – making Justin Timberlake cry, basically – then Glitchy shares more with Trigger Happy TV's good-natured silliness; seeing how far preposterous situations can be pushed without its "victims" calling bullshit.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Series creator Nic Pizzolatto too often handed the actors preposterous situations and pretentious dialogue.

Los Angeles Times

My cousin George is one of those people who always ends up in preposterous situations.

Vice

Patrick Trench (Angus Deayton) – Patrick and his wife Pippa live next door to Victor, and often catches Victor engrossed in seemingly preposterous situations, all of which in context are revealed as perfectly innocuous.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "preposterous situation" when you want to emphasize the illogical or absurd nature of a scenario. It's more impactful than simply calling something "silly" or "odd".

Common error

While "preposterous situation" is acceptable in many contexts, be mindful of overusing it in highly formal or academic writing. Consider alternatives like "untenable position" or "implausible scenario" for a more sophisticated tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "preposterous situation" functions as a noun phrase, where "preposterous" modifies the noun "situation". It describes a scenario deemed utterly absurd or ridiculous. As Ludwig AI states, the phrase is indeed usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Wiki

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "preposterous situation" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe an absurd or ridiculous scenario. While relatively rare in occurrence, it's primarily found in news and media contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its usability. For more formal writing, consider alternatives like "absurd predicament" or "implausible scenario". Be mindful of overuse, and leverage its impact to highlight the illogical nature of the situation effectively.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

absurd predicament

Replaces "preposterous" with "absurd" and "situation" with "predicament", maintaining the core meaning of a ridiculous or illogical scenario.

ludicrous circumstance

Substitutes "preposterous" with "ludicrous" and "situation" with "circumstance", emphasizing the ridiculous nature of the event.

outrageous scenario

Replaces "preposterous" with "outrageous", focusing on the shocking or offensive aspect of the situation.

ridiculous state of affairs

Rephrases the idea to highlight the ridiculous and problematic nature of the overall situation.

unbelievable case

Emphasizes the incredibility and unlikelihood of the situation.

far fetched event

Focuses on the implausible and unrealistic nature of the event.

implausible scenario

Highlights the lack of realism and believability in the situation.

crazy circumstances

Uses more informal language to describe the wild and chaotic nature of the situation.

untenable position

Focuses on the unsustainable or indefensible nature of the situation.

questionable situation

Highlights the dubious or suspicious nature of the situation.

FAQs

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

You can use "preposterous situation" to describe something unbelievable or ridiculous. For example: "The idea that we could finish the project in one day was a "preposterous situation" that left everyone feeling overwhelmed."

What can I say instead of "preposterous situation"?

You can use alternatives like "absurd predicament", "ludicrous circumstance", or "outrageous scenario depending on the context".

Is "preposterous situation" formal or informal?

"Preposterous situation" leans towards a neutral to slightly informal register. While understandable in most contexts, more formal alternatives like "untenable position" may be preferable in academic or business writing.

What makes a situation "preposterous"?

A "preposterous situation" is characterized by its absurdity, unreasonableness, and often, its defiance of logic or common sense. It's something so far-fetched that it's difficult to believe or take seriously.