simply unbearable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "simply unbearable" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation, feeling, or experience that is intolerable or extremely difficult to endure. Example: "The heat during the summer months can be simply unbearable, making it hard to focus on anything else."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

Otherwise they're simply unbearable".

The New Yorker

Because most managers are simply unbearable.

Harvard Business Review

The loss of his tender heart is simply unbearable.

The New York Times

John Coplans's photographs of himself have become simply unbearable.

The New York Times - Arts

The public discussion of euthanasia, for example, is full of individual stories that are simply unbearable to read.

The Guardian - Opinion

This was at the heart of Plath's conflicts; she was a far better poet than her husband, and to him that reality was deeply unacceptable and simply unbearable.

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

38 human-written examples

It was just unbearable".

The New York Times

"He was just unbearable.

The Guardian - Business

"When we opened the gates this morning, we had this unfortunate, this very sad situation, where there was simply an unbearable crush on the front entrance," Mr. Rensburg told reporters at a televised news conference.

The New York Times

The alternative -- jihadist anarchy that would turn Gaza into a Palestinian Somalia -- is simply too unbearable to contemplate.

Huffington Post

(Hot, right?) Potential suitors often assume I have a boyfriend in every city (I don't. I have a cheap hotel room and a cheaper box of wine) or my constant physical absence simply becomes unbearable for them.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "simply unbearable" to emphasize the severity of a situation or feeling. It effectively conveys that something is not just difficult, but truly intolerable.

Common error

While "simply unbearable" is generally acceptable, avoid overusing it in highly formal or academic writing. Consider more nuanced or sophisticated alternatives to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "simply unbearable" functions as an intensifier (simply) modifying an adjective (unbearable). It enhances the degree to which something is intolerable or difficult to endure. As seen in the Ludwig examples, it's used to express strong negative feelings about various situations.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

72%

Academia

12%

Science

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "simply unbearable" is a commonly used phrase to express that something is extremely difficult to tolerate. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English. It functions as an intensifier modifying an adjective, conveying a strong negative evaluation. While generally neutral in register, it's most frequently found in news and media contexts. For more formal settings, consider alternatives such as "absolutely intolerable" or "utterly insufferable".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

plainly unbearable

Similar to the original, but uses "plainly" instead of "simply".

absolutely intolerable

Emphasizes the complete lack of tolerability, adding intensity.

quite intolerable

Uses "quite" to indicate a significant degree of intolerability.

utterly insufferable

Conveys a sense of being impossible to bear, focusing on the negative emotional impact.

unendurable

A more formal synonym that means not able to be endured.

completely unacceptable

Highlights the lack of acceptance or permissibility.

more than one can bear

Expresses the idea that something exceeds the limits of one's capacity to endure.

totally outrageous

Indicates a high degree of offensiveness or unreasonableness.

beyond endurance

Similar to "more than one can bear", emphasizing the surpassing of endurance limits.

absolutely devastating

Focuses on the severely damaging or overwhelming effect.

FAQs

What does "simply unbearable" mean?

It means something is extremely difficult to tolerate or endure, to the point of being almost impossible to handle. It emphasizes the severity of the situation or feeling.

How can I use "simply unbearable" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe a wide range of situations, such as "The heat during the summer months can be "simply unbearable"" or "The loss of his tender heart is "simply unbearable"".

What are some alternatives to "simply unbearable"?

You can use alternatives like "absolutely intolerable", "utterly insufferable", or "completely unacceptable" depending on the specific context.

Is "simply unbearable" too informal for academic writing?

While generally acceptable, it might be perceived as slightly informal in some academic contexts. Consider more precise or nuanced alternatives to maintain a professional tone, such as "utterly insufferable" or "completely unacceptable".