slightly unreasonable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "slightly unreasonable" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation or request that is not entirely fair or rational, but not excessively so. Example: "While I understand your concerns, I believe your expectations are slightly unreasonable given the current circumstances."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

If the challenge is reasonable, or even slightly unreasonable, they love it and they rise to the occasion.

The New York Times

Whatever the difference, a 500-point difference on a 2400 point test, with household income as the central variable, is slightly unreasonable.

Huffington Post

Molly's a charming hot mess of a character wrapped in designer suits; you love to watch her struggle because of her picky and slightly unreasonable standards, but you love to love her because you can see a tad bit of yourself in some of the decisions she's made.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

It's just the latest effort by a big bank to shift the industry's notoriously grueling 100-hour-a-week ethos to something slightly less unreasonable.

Huffington Post

Whether we admit it or not, we all have our very own slightly ridiculous and often unreasonable dealbreakers; the things our friends roll their eyes about and ask "so I guess he wore sandals?" (I also fucking hate feet. Sue me).

Vice

Sometimes it seemed that they were, like me, just slightly spoiled Americans, imbued with unreasonable boomer expectations for autonomy, glory, and ascension, and that their grievances were more theoretical than actual, more media-induced than experience-related.

The New Yorker

If the overall polynomial fit looks unreasonable, the points are shifted slightly until the fit looks reasonable.

Geochemical Transactions

He frowns, and I begin to feel slightly guilty for making what appear to be unreasonable demands on his decision-making faculties.

The Guardian

To anyone even slightly familiar with the record of Saddam Hussein's regime, a bit of gloating over its destruction doesn't seem unreasonable.

The New Yorker

The stand is slightly tougher to get back in place in the case than I'd have imagined, though it's by no means unreasonable and you'll get the hang of it within one or two attempts.

TechCrunch

"Unreasonable Mme.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "slightly unreasonable", ensure the context clarifies what the standard of reasonableness is. This prevents misinterpretation and adds clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "slightly unreasonable" when the situation is clearly very unreasonable. Choose stronger terms if the context warrants a harsher assessment.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "slightly unreasonable" functions as an adjective phrase that modifies a noun or concept, indicating that it possesses a characteristic that deviates marginally from what is considered fair or rational. Ludwig AI affirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "slightly unreasonable" is a grammatically correct and usable expression that serves to temper criticism or disagreement. It indicates that something deviates marginally from fairness or rationality, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It finds its use primarily in news and media contexts, and maintains a neutral register, making it suitable for various professional and general communications. Remember to use it when you want to express a mild objection without being overly harsh.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

marginally unreasonable

Uses "marginally" to highlight the small degree of unreasonableness.

just a bit unreasonable

Emphasizes the slightly small quantity of unreasonable.

a touch unreasonable

Uses "touch" to soften the statement of unreasonableness.

somewhat unfair

Indicates a degree of injustice, but not extreme.

kind of unreasonable

It is a more colloquial way to express that something is almost unreasonable.

mildly irrational

Implies a small degree of illogical thinking.

a bit excessive

Suggests something is more than necessary or reasonable by a small margin.

somewhat unjustified

Implies that something lacks full justification, but is not entirely without reason.

slightly disproportionate

Indicates an imbalance or lack of proportion, but only to a small extent.

barely reasonable

Expresses the idea that an action is in the margin of reason.

FAQs

How can I use "slightly unreasonable" in a sentence?

You can use "slightly unreasonable" to describe expectations or demands that are somewhat unfair but not entirely out of line. For example, "While I appreciate your enthusiasm, your deadline is "slightly unreasonable" given the resources available".

What are some alternatives to the phrase "slightly unreasonable"?

Alternatives include "somewhat unfair", "mildly irrational", or "a bit excessive", depending on the specific context you want to convey.

Is "slightly unreasonable" a formal or informal expression?

"Slightly unreasonable" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, providing a nuanced way to express a mild disagreement or concern without being overly critical.

What's the difference between "slightly unreasonable" and "completely unreasonable"?

"Slightly unreasonable" indicates a minor deviation from what is fair or rational, while "completely unreasonable" suggests a total lack of fairness or rationality. The choice depends on the degree to which the situation deviates from reasonableness.