totally unacceptable

USAGE SUMMARY

"totally unacceptable" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express that something could not possibly be more wrong or inappropriate. For example, "His behavior was totally unacceptable."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Totally unacceptable.

The New York Times

That's totally unacceptable.

BBC

That is totally unacceptable".

Independent

"We were totally unacceptable.

The Guardian - Sport

That was totally unacceptable there".

The New York Times - Sports

Police behaviour is totally unacceptable.

The Guardian

"It's totally unacceptable," Damon said.

The New York Times - Sports

This would be totally unacceptable at MIT.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

"I consider that totally unacceptable," Obama said.

The New York Times

Any violent solution would be totally unacceptable.

The New York Times

"We of course consider this totally unacceptable".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "totally unacceptable" to express a strong, unequivocal rejection or disapproval of something. It conveys a sense that the action or situation is completely beyond the bounds of what is permissible or tolerable.

Common error

While "totally unacceptable" is widely understood, overuse in formal writing can diminish its impact. Consider stronger, more precise alternatives like "untenable", "inadmissible", or "reprehensible" /s/untenable, /s/inadmissible, /s/reprehensible depending on the context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "totally unacceptable" functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to express a strong negative judgment. It's used to emphatically state that something is not permissible or tolerable, as confirmed by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "totally unacceptable" is a commonly used adjectival phrase that expresses strong disapproval or rejection. As Ludwig AI confirms, its grammatical status is correct, and its communicative purpose is to convey that something is beyond the bounds of what is permissible. While versatile, it's most frequently found in news and media contexts. When writing, use it to express strong disagreement, but be mindful of its potential informality and consider more precise alternatives like "entirely indefensible" or "completely intolerable" in more formal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

entirely indefensible

Indicates that something cannot be defended or justified in any way.

absolutely inexcusable

Highlights the lack of any justification or excuse for something.

unconditionally rejected

Implies a firm and unwavering refusal or disapproval.

completely intolerable

Focuses on the inability to endure or accept something due to its severity or offensiveness.

blatantly out of line

Indicates that something clearly exceeds the boundaries of what is acceptable.

wholly inappropriate

Stresses the unsuitability or impropriety of something in a given situation.

thoroughly reprehensible

Focuses on the highly blameworthy or deserving of condemnation nature of something.

utterly inadmissible

Emphasizes the impossibility of allowing something, often in a legal or formal context.

patently objectionable

Highlights that something is obviously and clearly offensive or unacceptable.

categorically wrong

Emphasizes that something is absolutely and unequivocally incorrect.

FAQs

How can I use "totally unacceptable" in a sentence?

You can use "totally unacceptable" to express strong disapproval. For example, "The level of service was "totally unacceptable"" or "Such behavior is "totally unacceptable" in a professional environment."

What are some alternatives to "totally unacceptable"?

Alternatives to "totally unacceptable" include "entirely indefensible", "completely intolerable", or "absolutely inexcusable". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "totally unacceptable" too strong for formal writing?

While "totally unacceptable" is generally understood, it can sound informal. In formal writing, consider more precise and professional alternatives such as "wholly inappropriate" or "utterly inadmissible".

What makes something "totally unacceptable"?

Something is "totally unacceptable" when it violates established standards of behavior, ethics, or quality to a degree that it cannot be tolerated or condoned. It signifies a clear breach of what is permissible.