that seems absurd

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "that seems absurd" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express disbelief or to indicate that something appears unreasonable or illogical. Example: "The idea that we could finish the project in one day seems absurd given the amount of work required."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

Sometimes it's the subject matter that seems absurd.

The New Yorker

"There's been a huge gap between prices of hot stocks and value stocks that seems absurd".

The New York Times

As for the argument that bike lanes lead to automobile congestion, that seems absurd from a Beijinger's point of view.

The New Yorker

The only thing that seems absurd, I tell her, is that a woman who has given so much time to AIDS would be smoking so many ciggies.

The New York Times - Magazine

For instance, the Michael Moore crowd claim that Mr Bush doesn't really believe any of this claptrap about democracy a charge that seems absurd, given the blood and treasure America has spent bringing elections to Afghanistan and Iraq.

The Economist

And her sexual awakening, in a time of innocence that seems absurd just 50 years later, came at a cost: she was 16 when she became pregnant with a daughter.

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

"Does that seem absurd, making your aliyah?" he said, referring to a Jew's return to Israel.

The New York Times

In moving from A to B, a photon may take any number of different paths, even ones that seem absurd — spiraling in curlicues, changing speeds in midair.

The New York Times - Books

But a movement of 1-2%—a magnitude that seemed absurd until the franc soared by 30% in a few minutes is enough to wipe out the collateral and more.

The Economist

Krebs said he thought there was, however, one aspect of the situation that seemed absurd to him: "If there's schadenfreude, I hope it has to do most with people being amused at the idea of other people thinking you can put this kind of information on the internet without having it get out".

The Guardian - Tech

Mr. Wagner, however, ignored the explicit demand for his resignation, pointed out that his contract was for life, and cited Katharina as the only family member he'd consider as a successor, an idea that seemed absurd, given her youth and lack of experience.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the audience and context when using "that seems absurd". While generally acceptable, in extremely formal settings, a more nuanced or elaborated expression might be preferred.

Common error

Avoid using "that seems absurd" too frequently in your writing, as it can make your tone sound repetitive or predictable. Vary your expressions of disbelief or disagreement to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that seems absurd" functions as an evaluative expression, conveying a subjective assessment of something as illogical or unreasonable. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is a correct and usable phrase. The examples provided by Ludwig showcase its deployment in expressing disagreement or disbelief.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "that seems absurd" is a grammatically sound and functional phrase used to express skepticism or disbelief. As noted by Ludwig AI, it's a correct and usable English expression. While not overly formal, it is versatile enough for various contexts, including news and media, science, and general conversation. It's essential to be mindful of overuse and consider varying expressions of disbelief. The analysis suggests that, although used, its frequency is uncommon. Consider using alternative phrases like "that appears ridiculous" or "that sounds preposterous" to add variety to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that appears ridiculous

Replaces "seems absurd" with a more direct and visually descriptive term, emphasizing the ridiculous nature of something.

that sounds preposterous

Substitutes "seems absurd" with "sounds preposterous", highlighting the outlandish or unbelievable quality of something.

that's utterly illogical

Replaces "seems absurd" with "is utterly illogical", focusing on the lack of logical consistency.

that's quite unreasonable

Replaces "seems absurd" with "is quite unreasonable", softening the tone while still expressing disagreement or disbelief.

that defies logic

Emphasizes the contradiction with logical principles rather than a general feeling of absurdity.

that's patently false

Shifts the focus to the truth value of the statement, indicating clear falsehood rather than just absurdity.

that's simply not credible

Highlights the lack of believability rather than the inherent absurdity.

that's hard to swallow

Employs a more informal idiom to express difficulty in accepting or believing something.

that strains credulity

Suggests that something is so unlikely that it tests the limits of one's willingness to believe.

that beggars belief

Uses a stronger idiom to indicate that something is almost impossible to believe.

FAQs

How can I use "that seems absurd" in a sentence?

You can use "that seems absurd" to express disbelief or indicate something is illogical. For example, "The idea that we could finish the project in one day "that seems absurd" given the amount of work required."

What can I say instead of "that seems absurd"?

You can use alternatives like "that appears ridiculous", "that sounds preposterous", or "that's utterly illogical depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "that seems absurd to me"?

Yes, adding "to me" clarifies that you're expressing a personal opinion. While "that seems absurd" is already somewhat subjective, including "to me" makes it even more explicit.

What's the difference between "that seems absurd" and "that is absurd"?

"That seems absurd" implies a subjective assessment, while "that is absurd" presents it as an objective fact. Using "seems" softens the statement and acknowledges the possibility of a different perspective.