that would be preposterous

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "that would be preposterous" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express disbelief or to indicate that something is absurd or unreasonable. Example: "To suggest that we could finish this project in one day? That would be preposterous."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

So it is realistic for, say, Cole MacGrath to run around shooting lighting bolts out of his hands, but if he were a woman that would be preposterous?

The Guardian - Opinion

That would be preposterous.

The New York Times - Sports

Obviously, that would be preposterous combining two of the biggest franchises ever… Crossbones is also featured, unmasked and beaten to a pulp.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Much of his book had, in fact, been written before the World Trade Centre was attacked, and though he bows to the enormous implications of this event, he maintains that it would be preposterous to argue that the domestic policies, state structures and ideologies of the Middle East were transformed by it although American thinking may have been.

The Economist

He let the joint cabinet committee fade away and said in January that it would be "preposterous" to make any sort of electoral pact with the government.

The Economist

So it must follow that it would be preposterous not to remove them.

Huffington Post

"It was supposed that after his defeat it would be preposterous to ask him to sit," Brady said later in an interview.

The New York Times - Books

So, I agree, you can't build any major Billboard chart that doesn't include YouTube; it would be preposterous at this point.

The New Yorker

Any claims that FDA guidelines are being followed would be preposterous, if not downright illegal.

Vice

However, it would be preposterous to argue that (inadvertently?) torturing numerous innocent people is a reasonable price to pay in return for the information provided by those of the tortured who are in fact guilty.

SEP

It would be preposterous to claim that every (c)(4) group is a legitimate social-welfare organization and is staying on the right side of the "primary purpose" line, even under the most generous interpretation of the rules.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the phrase "that would be preposterous" to express strong disagreement or disbelief when encountering a suggestion or idea that seems utterly absurd or illogical. It effectively communicates your rejection of the idea.

Common error

While effective, "that would be preposterous" can sound overly dramatic or informal in certain formal contexts. Opt for more restrained phrasing like "that is highly improbable" or "that is unlikely to occur" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that would be preposterous" functions as an evaluative assertion, expressing a strong rejection of a stated or implied proposition. Ludwig confirms its correct and usable status, indicating its grammatical acceptance in English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "that would be preposterous" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed phrase used to strongly express disbelief or rejection of an idea. Ludwig confirms its correct usage in English. While common in news and media, its emphatic tone might make it less suitable for highly formal or scientific contexts, where more neutral alternatives may be preferred. As Ludwig shows, it effectively conveys absurdity and disagreement in a variety of situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that would be absurd

Replaces "preposterous" with "absurd", indicating something is ridiculous or unreasonable.

that would be ridiculous

Substitutes "preposterous" with "ridiculous", suggesting something is laughable or silly.

that would be ludicrous

Uses "ludicrous" instead of "preposterous", implying something is foolish or unreasonable.

that would be nonsensical

Replaces "preposterous" with "nonsensical", emphasizing the lack of sense or logic.

that would be unthinkable

Substitutes "preposterous" with "unthinkable", suggesting something is beyond consideration.

that would be unimaginable

Uses "unimaginable" instead of "preposterous", implying something is difficult to conceive.

that would be out of the question

Replaces "preposterous" with "out of the question", indicating something is not allowed or possible.

that's simply not possible

States directly that something is not feasible, replacing the more descriptive "preposterous".

that's beyond belief

Expresses that something is so extreme it's hard to believe, differing in emotional intensity.

that defies logic

Focuses on the lack of logical basis, differing slightly in emphasis from "preposterous".

FAQs

How can I use "that would be preposterous" in a sentence?

You can use "that would be preposterous" to express strong disagreement with an idea or suggestion. For example, "To suggest that we could finish this project in one day? That would be preposterous."

What phrases are similar to "that would be preposterous"?

Similar phrases include "that would be absurd", "that would be ridiculous", or "that would be ludicrous", all expressing disbelief or absurdity.

Is "that would be preposterous" suitable for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "that would be preposterous" may be too informal or dramatic for some formal contexts. Consider alternatives like "that is highly improbable" or "that is unlikely to occur".

When is it appropriate to use "that would be preposterous"?

Use "that would be preposterous" when you want to strongly convey that an idea is illogical, absurd, or completely unreasonable. It's best used in situations where a slightly emphatic tone is acceptable.