preposterous to think

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "preposterous to think" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express disbelief or incredulity about a particular idea or notion. Example: "It is preposterous to think that we could solve this complex problem without any prior experience."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

25 human-written examples

Once, it was preposterous to think that a woman could become the editor of the Times.

The New Yorker

It would be a bit preposterous to think I could tell everyone what to think.

The New York Times - Magazine

But, he added, it was "preposterous" to think Ms. Goller would have proposed hiring him.

The New York Times

"Today, we've got everything we need in our hands, and it's preposterous to think that new sanctions and new threats will change anything".

The New Yorker

CLEVELAND, Aug. 11 — At the end of May, it seemed preposterous to think that the Yankees would pick up Bobby Abreu's $16 million option for next season.

The New York Times - Sports

George Felos, the lawyer for Michael Schiavo, said it was preposterous to think that any judge or court would issue an order requiring the governor to intervene.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

31 human-written examples

It's almost as preposterous not to think there's a God as it is to believe".

The Guardian - Film

"It is not so preposterous anymore to think of the common ancestor as a sort of Noah's ark, where pretty much every protein domain has been represented," Dr. Koonin said.

The New York Times - Science

"It is preposterous for anybody to think that this tape is doctored," he said.

The New York Times

"It is preposterous for anybody to think that this tape is doctored," Mr. Bush said.

The New York Times

We're talking about society's most inventive thinkers, its visionaries, its sages, its masterminds: the more you think about the special intellectual traits needed to breach the limits of human understanding, the more preposterous it is to think those people would care whether they had £1m or £100m.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "preposterous to think" when you want to express strong disbelief or disagreement with an idea. It effectively conveys that the idea is absurd or ridiculous.

Common error

While effective, overusing "preposterous to think" can make your writing sound overly dramatic. Consider using more nuanced alternatives like "unlikely", "improbable", or "questionable" in formal contexts to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "preposterous to think" functions as an evaluative expression used to strongly dismiss an idea or suggestion as absurd or unbelievable. As Ludwig AI suggests, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

90%

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "preposterous to think" is a phrase used to express strong disagreement and disbelief, effectively communicating that an idea is absurd or ridiculous. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used. It's most frequently found in News & Media and neutral contexts, with its strong emphasis making it less suitable for extremely formal writing. While common, it should be used judiciously to avoid sounding overly dramatic. If a less emphatic tone is desired, consider alternatives such as "unlikely", "improbable", or "questionable". The phrase is deemed credible, based on source quality and consistency.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Preposterous to even consider

Adds "even consider" to emphasize the absurdity of the idea.

Absurd to imagine

Replaces "think" with "imagine", focusing on the act of envisioning something unlikely.

Ludicrous to consider

Substitutes "preposterous" with "ludicrous" and "think" with "consider", emphasizing the ridiculousness of the idea.

Ridiculous to believe

Replaces "preposterous" with "ridiculous" and "think" with "believe", highlighting the lack of credibility.

It defies belief to think

Expresses that the idea is so absurd that it is hard to believe it.

Inconceivable to contemplate

Uses "inconceivable" instead of "preposterous" and "contemplate" instead of "think", suggesting the idea is beyond comprehension.

Unthinkable to assume

Replaces "preposterous" with "unthinkable" and "think" with "assume", implying the idea should not even be considered.

It strains credulity to imagine

Implies that the idea is so unlikely that it tests the limits of what one can believe.

Far-fetched to presume

Substitutes "preposterous" with "far-fetched" and "think" with "presume", emphasizing the improbability of the idea.

Outlandish to suggest

Replaces "preposterous" with "outlandish" and "think" with "suggest", indicating the idea is bizarre or strange.

FAQs

How can I use "preposterous to think" in a sentence?

You can use "preposterous to think" to express strong disbelief or disagreement. For example, "It is preposterous to think that we could finish this project in one day."

What can I say instead of "preposterous to think"?

You can use alternatives like "absurd to imagine", "ludicrous to consider", or "ridiculous to believe" depending on the context.

Is "preposterous to think" formal or informal?

"Preposterous to think" is generally considered neutral, but it leans slightly toward informal due to its strong emphasis. In very formal contexts, consider alternatives like "unlikely" or "improbable".

What does it mean when someone says it's "preposterous to think" something?

It means they find the idea or suggestion utterly ridiculous and unbelievable. They are expressing strong disagreement or disbelief.