unacceptably

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "unacceptably" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or behavior that is not acceptable or tolerable. Example: "The delays in the project were unacceptably long, causing frustration among the team members."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The state sometimes intrudes unacceptably into the lives of its citizens – but more often it is the best way of providing essential social services.

The Guardian - Opinion

We've seen the value of such data through a project in Chhattisgarh, India, where initial research showed an unacceptably high rate of anaemia among adolescent girls – 85-89%.

The Guardian

But six years is still unacceptably long and it is still unclear how many people's DNA will be kept indefinitely.

The Guardian - Opinion

Furman said more work needed to be done and that the unemployment rates for African Americans and Hispanics remained unacceptably high.

The Guardian - Business

It means more work for Alison and her colleagues, and in the staff room, speaking with half a dozen of them, I get a strong sense that things are feeling unacceptably stretched.

The Guardian

Police reform is key for many nationalists, who have no confidence in the Protestant-dominated RUC, and neither the SDLP nor Sinn Fein was happy with the government's police bill, which they feel unacceptably diluted Chris Patten's original proposals.

The Guardian

The proposal comes from a body of consultants and parents set up after the Kennedy inquiry into Bristol Royal infirmary, where babies died after heart operations by surgeons whose death rates were unacceptably high.

The Guardian

Unacceptably, history has no answer to those questions.

The Guardian - Arts

He sounded like the usher shouting to the wedding guests when the bride is unacceptably delayed.

The Guardian

In fact, he was recovering after a hand transplant as Warne's natural hands were clearly unacceptably calloused and appeared to have done more in their life than flick his hair and not eat.

The Guardian - Opinion

Bratza agreed with Cameron that the backlog of inadmissible cases was unacceptably high; that the court should not simply give claimants a fourth bite of the cherry; it should not act as an immigration tribunal; and it must not "substitute its own judgment for that of reasonable national processes".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "unacceptably" to clearly and directly express that something falls outside the bounds of what is permissible or tolerable. It conveys a strong sense of disapproval or inadequacy.

Common error

While "unacceptably" is a perfectly valid word, avoid using it too frequently in casual or informal writing. Opt for a simpler synonym like "badly" or "poorly" to maintain a more relaxed tone.

Linguistic Context

The adverb "unacceptably" functions to modify verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs, indicating the degree to which something fails to meet required standards or expectations. Ludwig AI confirms its common usage in expressing disapproval.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Science

27%

Formal & Business

16%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the adverb "unacceptably" is a grammatically correct and frequently used term to express that something falls outside the limits of what is tolerable or permissible. As noted by Ludwig AI, it is most commonly found in news and media, as well as scientific and formal/business contexts, showcasing its versatility. While perfectly valid, be mindful to not overuse it in casual settings. Use alternatives like "intolerably" or "excessively" to add nuance to your writing. By understanding its function, purpose, and register, you can effectively use "unacceptably" to convey disapproval and highlight deficiencies in your communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

intolerably

Emphasizes the unbearable nature of something, highlighting its severity.

inappropriately

Focuses on the lack of suitability or fittingness in a particular situation.

excessively

Highlights that something goes beyond a reasonable or acceptable limit.

unduly

Indicates something is unwarranted or disproportionate.

unreasonably

Stresses the lack of logical or rational basis for something.

prohibitively

Implies something is so extreme it prevents a certain action or outcome.

anomalously

Suggests a deviation from the norm or standard.

inadmissibly

Highlights that something cannot be allowed or accepted.

unjustifiably

Points out the lack of valid reasons or excuses for something.

inordinately

Indicates something is excessive, surpassing reasonable bounds.

FAQs

How can I use "unacceptably" in a sentence?

Use "unacceptably" to describe something that doesn't meet standards or expectations. For example, "The service was "unacceptably slow"", or "The quality of the work was "unacceptably poor"".

What are some alternatives to the word "unacceptably"?

You can use alternatives such as "intolerably", "excessively", or "unreasonably" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "unacceptably"?

It is appropriate in formal writing or speech where you want to express a strong disapproval or that something is not tolerable. It's less suitable for casual conversations.

Is "unacceptably" interchangeable with "unacceptable"?

"Unacceptable" is an adjective that describes a noun, while "unacceptably" is an adverb that modifies a verb, adjective, or another adverb. For example: "The behavior was "unacceptable"" (adjective) vs. "The student behaved "unacceptably"" (adverb).