unreasonable demand

USAGE SUMMARY

"unreasonable demand" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a request or demand that is not realistic or fair. For example: "The teacher's unreasonable demand that the students complete their essay in one day was too much to ask."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

51 human-written examples

Why should that be deemed an unreasonable demand?

The New Yorker

Missouri joins only South Dakota and Utah in making such an unreasonable demand.

The Guardian - Opinion

If enacted into law, this would be yet another unreasonable demand.

The Guardian - Opinion

Unfortunately, the Bush administration is obstructing the agreement with an unreasonable demand that would severely weaken the accord.

The New York Times

We may want to people to know we exist, but without making an unreasonable demand on them.

The Guardian - Opinion

"Media obsession with minor issues involving famous people places unreasonable demand on police service comms," they said.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

9 human-written examples

The baby is not making unreasonable demands, you are.

The Guardian

It's just putting unreasonable demands upon a war situation.

The New York Times

Sometimes stylists feel abused or put upon by unreasonable demands.

The New York Times - Style

I'm not making unreasonable demands of the place.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

For once, Democrats were the ones making unreasonable demands.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "unreasonable demand", be specific about why the demand is considered unreasonable. Providing context will strengthen your argument.

Common error

Avoid simply labeling a demand as "unreasonable" without providing specific reasons or evidence. This can weaken your argument and make it seem subjective rather than objective.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "unreasonable demand" functions as a noun phrase, where "unreasonable" modifies the noun "demand". As shown by Ludwig, it typically acts as the subject or object of a sentence, describing something requested.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Wiki

3%

Academia

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "unreasonable demand" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to describe a request or expectation that is considered excessive, unfair, or unjustified. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's correct and usable in various contexts. Found frequently in News & Media, its purpose is to express disapproval. When using this phrase, it's advisable to provide specific justifications for why the demand is considered unreasonable to strengthen your argument. Alternatives include "excessive demand" or "unfair demand" depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

excessive demand

Focuses on the disproportionate or extreme nature of the demand.

unfair demand

Highlights the inequitable aspect of the demand.

unjust demand

Similar to "unfair demand" but emphasizes the moral wrongness.

preposterous demand

Emphasizes the absurdity and outrageousness of the demand.

unjustifiable demand

Highlights the lack of legitimate grounds for the demand.

unwarranted demand

Emphasizes that the demand is not justified or deserved.

unacceptable demand

Focuses on the fact that the demand is not tolerable or allowable.

illogical demand

Focuses on the lack of rational basis for the demand.

absurd demand

Highlights the ridiculousness and senselessness of the demand.

irrational demand

Focuses on the lack of reason or logic behind the demand.

FAQs

How can I use "unreasonable demand" in a sentence?

You can use "unreasonable demand" to describe a request or expectation that is excessive or unfair. For example, "The company's demand for employees to work overtime without pay was an unreasonable demand".

What's a good alternative to "unreasonable demand"?

Alternatives include "excessive demand", "unfair demand", or "unjustifiable demand", depending on the specific context.

What makes a demand "unreasonable"?

A demand can be considered "unreasonable" if it is excessive, unfair, lacks justification, or places an undue burden on the recipient.

Is it better to say "unreasonable demand" or "illogical demand"?

Both "unreasonable demand" and "illogical demand" are valid, but they emphasize different aspects. "Unreasonable" suggests unfairness or excessiveness, while "illogical" suggests a lack of rational basis.