that is untenable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "that is untenable" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation, argument, or position that cannot be maintained or defended. Example: "The evidence presented was so weak that the conclusion drawn from it is untenable."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

"We have a neo-feudal hierarchy that is untenable.

The New York Times

The pro-choice position has evolved over the years into a stance that is untenable for most reasonable adults, which is that not only are abortions O.K., but hey, they're great!

The New York Times

"If you find yourself in a situation that is untenable, [ask yourself] 'is it in my best interest to stay in the lab?'" suggests Penning.

Science Magazine

This is a state of affairs that is untenable and unacceptable. .

Huffington Post

He added that the Dakota pipeline is part of "a drive to extract fossil fuel that is untenable for the future of the planet".

Huffington Post

Failure to do anything on immigration reform will deepen the abyss of fear and persecution that 11-12 mimmigrantsigrants face, a situation that is untenable.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

The family was in housing that was untenable.

The New York Times

Thanks to creator Aaron Sorkin, it was government as liberal fantasy, one where our politicians could hold positions that were untenable in real life.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

"Unfortunately AT&T's decision to unilaterally delete Al Jazeera America presented us with circumstances that were untenable — an affiliate that has willfully and knowingly breached its contractual obligations," the broadcaster said in a statement.

The New York Times

Two minutes later a Peralta header landed squarely in the Jamaican keeper's hands, but it was clear Mexico was taking advantage of spatial concessions that were untenable in the long term for Jamaica.

The Guardian - Sport

They sought economics out of the relationship that were untenable for PayPal and their allegiance with the Networks was being tested.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "that is untenable" to clearly express that a position, argument, or situation is impossible to defend or maintain. It's suitable for formal writing and discussions.

Common error

Avoid using "that is untenable" to describe something merely unpleasant or difficult. It should be reserved for situations that are fundamentally unsustainable or indefensible, not just challenging.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that is untenable" functions as a declarative statement, expressing a judgment about a situation or position. As supported by Ludwig AI, it asserts that something cannot be maintained or defended. Examples show usage in diverse contexts, reinforcing its role as a critical assessment.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

20%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "that is untenable" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to describe a situation, position, or argument that cannot be defended or maintained. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage spans various formal contexts, including news, science, and professional domains. Alternatives like "that is indefensible" or "that is unsustainable" can be used depending on the specific nuance you aim to convey. Remember to reserve it for truly unsustainable or indefensible situations rather than merely unpleasant ones.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that is indefensible

Replaces 'untenable' with 'indefensible', focusing on the lack of justification or defense.

that is unsustainable

Substitutes 'untenable' with 'unsustainable', highlighting the inability to continue or maintain something over time.

that is unsupportable

Uses 'unsupportable' instead of 'untenable', emphasizing the lack of evidence or backing for a claim or situation.

that is unviable

Replaces 'untenable' with 'unviable', stressing the impracticality or impossibility of success.

that is groundless

Substituting 'untenable' with 'groundless', which highlights the lack of factual basis or justification.

that is unjustifiable

Uses 'unjustifiable' which focuses on the lack of moral or ethical basis.

that is unworkable

Replaces 'untenable' with 'unworkable', emphasizing the impracticality in a working system.

that is unacceptable

Swaps 'untenable' with 'unacceptable', highlighting that a situation or behavior is not to be tolerated.

that is intolerable

Uses 'intolerable' which focuses on the severity of the issue being beyond acceptable limits.

that is impracticable

Replacing "untenable" with "impracticable", focusing on the difficulty of implementation or execution.

FAQs

How can I use "that is untenable" in a sentence?

The phrase "that is untenable" is used to describe a situation, argument, or position that cannot be defended or maintained. For example, "The company's current financial strategy "that is untenable" without significant investment."

What are some alternatives to saying "that is untenable"?

You can use alternatives such as "that is indefensible", "that is unsustainable", or "that is unjustifiable" depending on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "that is untenable" in informal conversations?

While grammatically correct, "that is untenable" is more suited for formal or professional contexts due to its somewhat elevated tone. In informal conversations, simpler alternatives like "that won't work" or "that's not sustainable" might be more appropriate.

What's the difference between "that is untenable" and "that is unacceptable"?

"That is untenable" implies something cannot be maintained or defended, while "that is unacceptable" suggests something is not satisfactory or tolerable. While there can be overlap, "untenable" focuses more on the feasibility or logical defensibility, and "unacceptable" focuses on standards or values.