that seems far-fetched

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "that seems far-fetched" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing doubt or skepticism about the plausibility of a statement or idea. Example: "The theory he proposed about time travel seems far-fetched, given the current understanding of physics."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

Now, Mr. Gingrich will get to see if the other side of the equation holds up — that, alone, he could rally an anti-Romney vote, though that seems far-fetched.

The New York Times

The CBO expected 11 million people to have exchange plans this year, and for that number to more than double next year -- an outcome that seems far-fetched at current enrollment levels, especially given Burwell's assessment of the current challenges.

Huffington Post

That seems far-fetched.

The Economist

But that seems far-fetched.

The New York Times

That seems far-fetched rhetoric, and has been ridiculed.

The Guardian - Books

That seems far-fetched, at least at an intuitive level.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

But the D.S.K. case was a useful reminder that evidently rational people, educated and skeptical, liberal or conservative, can fall for beliefs that seem far-fetched at best.

The New York Times - Magazine

I could have done with a little less information about vintage airplanes and ballpoint pens (though an author's note indicates that some bits that seem far-fetched are based in reality).

The New York Times

Not that there aren't moments that seem far-fetched, as when the author's father tells him, on his 10th birthday: "My birthday present to you is that I will never see you again".

The New York Times - Books

Unfortunately, the columnist, as portrayed by the usually likable Mr. Platt, struck critics as an arrogant and cynical fop, and the series relied on stories that seemed far-fetched.

The New York Times - Arts

Lest that seem far-fetched, recall that such memos were in fact elicited in the war on terror, and that the violations of our anti-torture laws that took place (according to any reasonable reading of those laws) occurred in facilities whose very existence was classified as a matter of national security.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "that seems far-fetched" to express skepticism or disbelief in a situation or statement. It is suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

While appropriate, overuse of "that seems far-fetched" can make your writing sound repetitive. Vary your language by using synonyms like "implausible" or "unlikely" to keep your tone engaging.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that seems far-fetched" functions as an evaluative statement, expressing doubt or disbelief regarding a proposition or scenario. It conveys that something appears improbable or unrealistic based on available evidence or general knowledge. Ludwig provides examples of this usage across various news and media contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "that seems far-fetched" is a phrase used to express skepticism or disbelief, functioning as an evaluative statement. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in English. While suitable for both formal and informal contexts, it appears most frequently in News & Media, indicating a neutral register. When using this phrase, remember to consider synonyms to avoid repetition. This phrase is a useful tool for conveying doubt or incredulity, allowing you to challenge ideas without being overly confrontational.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that appears improbable

Changes the verb to "appears" and uses the adjective "improbable" instead of "far-fetched" to convey a similar meaning.

that sounds implausible

Replaces "seems" with "sounds" and "far-fetched" with "implausible" to indicate a lack of believability.

that's highly unlikely

Uses "highly unlikely" to express a low probability of something happening.

that's a stretch

A more informal way of saying something is not easily believable or is exaggerated.

that's hard to believe

Expresses difficulty in accepting something as true.

I find that dubious

Shifts the perspective to a personal feeling of doubt regarding something.

I doubt that's the case

Expresses a personal disbelief in the stated situation.

that doesn't hold water

An idiomatic expression meaning something is not logically sound or believable.

that idea is a bit of a reach

Suggests the idea is not well-supported or is unlikely to be true.

that's a tall tale

Implies the statement is exaggerated or fabricated.

FAQs

How can I use "that seems far-fetched" in a sentence?

You can use "that seems far-fetched" to express doubt about something. For example, "His claim that he saw a UFO seems far-fetched" indicates disbelief in his statement.

What can I say instead of "that seems far-fetched"?

You can use alternatives like "that appears improbable", "that sounds implausible", or "that's highly unlikely" depending on the context.

Is it okay to use "that seems far-fetched" in formal writing?

Yes, "that seems far-fetched" is generally acceptable in formal writing. However, for a more sophisticated tone, consider using alternatives like "that appears improbable".

What's the difference between "that seems far-fetched" and "that seems unlikely"?

"That seems far-fetched" implies a greater degree of disbelief or incredulity than "that seems unlikely". "Far-fetched" suggests something is not only improbable but also difficult to imagine as being true. But both phrases can be considered synonyms.