strains credulity

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "strains credulity" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe a situation or claim that is difficult to believe or accept due to its implausibility. Example: "The idea that he could run a marathon without any training strains credulity."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Books

Opinion

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

That strains credulity.

The New York Times

It strains credulity.

The Guardian - Opinion

For Bos­trom, this strains credulity.

The New Yorker

His testimony "strains credulity," Judge Mukasey said yesterday.

The New York Times

Still, even for marketing gobbledygook, his statement strains credulity.

The Guardian - Music

The result is a work that almost continuously strains credulity.

The New York Times - Books

"To argue that January and February's news instead signaled booming commodity demand strains credulity".

The New York Times - Tech

But even so, to say it strains credulity is an understatement.

The Guardian - Books

Rabinowitz's defense is so full-throated that it sometimes strains credulity.

The New York Times - Books

It strains credulity to assert that this is all an ingenious conspiracy to fake out Saddam.

The New York Times

Much of it seems overfamiliar — it's "Sex and the City" on downers — and strains credulity.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "strains credulity" when you want to express that something is difficult to believe because it seems unlikely or unrealistic. It is appropriate for formal writing and conveys a sense of skepticism.

Common error

While "strains credulity" is a strong phrase, avoid using it in casual conversations. Simpler phrases like "hard to believe" are more suitable for informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "strains credulity" functions as a commentary on the believability of a statement or situation. It indicates that something is difficult to accept as true due to its improbability. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

71%

Books

12%

Science

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "strains credulity" is a correct and usable English expression employed to convey that something is difficult to believe due to its implausibility. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical accuracy and appropriateness for use in written English. It appears most commonly in news and media, books, and science contexts, demonstrating a neutral to formal register. When using this phrase, it's best to reserve it for situations where you want to express genuine skepticism and avoid overuse in casual conversations. Alternatives such as "tests belief" or "challenges plausibility" can be used to achieve similar effects.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is implausible

Emphasizes the lack of credibility or likelihood.

tests belief

Emphasizes the challenge to one's conviction or acceptance of something.

challenges plausibility

Highlights the questioning of whether something is likely or credible.

defies belief

Suggests something is so extraordinary that it's hard to accept as true.

beggars belief

Indicates something is so remarkable or extreme that it's hard to comprehend.

is hard to swallow

Indicates something is difficult to accept or believe, often due to unpleasantness.

is unconvincing

Highlights the failure to persuade someone of something.

is a stretch

Implies something is barely believable or requires a considerable amount of imagination.

is far-fetched

Suggests the idea is very improbable and unlikely to be true.

is dubious

Suggests uncertainty or suspicion about something's truth or quality.

FAQs

How can I use "strains credulity" in a sentence?

You can use "strains credulity" to express disbelief in a statement or situation. For example: "His explanation for being late "strains credulity"."

What are some alternatives to "strains credulity"?

Alternatives include "tests belief", "challenges plausibility", or "defies belief", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct, "strains credulity" or "strained credulity"?

"Strains credulity" is used when the subject is the unbelievable thing. "Strained credulity" would be used if credulity was pushed to its limit.

Is "strains credulity" formal or informal?

"Strains credulity" is generally considered a formal expression. In more informal contexts, phrases like "hard to believe" or "that's a stretch" might be more appropriate.