unreasonable time

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "unreasonable time" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a duration that is excessive or not justifiable in a given context. Example: "The contractor's request for an extension was denied because the delay was deemed to be an unreasonable time frame."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

A reasonable ambition at an unreasonable time for his team.

The New York Times - Sports

"He was a reasonable man in an unreasonable time".

The New York Times

Even one of our pre-booked B&Bs had completely shut up shop when we arrived at, we thought, the not completely unreasonable time of 9.30pm.

The Guardian - Travel

Independent senator Nick Xenophon has thrown more doubt on the government's campaign to have the carbon tax repealed in the first two weeks of the new Senate, saying it was an unreasonable time frame.

The Guardian

By visualizing the duration of each decommissioning activity, engineers can detect potential unreasonable time arrangement, such as idle time.

Visualization in Engineering

Moreover, the dissenters quoted Lewis v. Marshall, 30 U.S. 470 (1831), for the proposition that: The best interests of society require that causes of action should not be deferred an unreasonable time.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

With the help of the debt charity StepChange, Alinah and Leo were able to stop the nuisance calls (under Financial Conduct Authority guidelines, creditors are allowed to keep asking debtors for payment, but not to contact them at unreasonable times, or to use threats or unhelpful legal language).

The Guardian - Lifestyle

In the coming months, we need to be more prominent in the blogosphere, a space where our fears, passions, problems and potential solutions can be articulated--a powerful force for reason in unreasonable times.

Huffington Post

There's always the risk that, upon hearing all this mind-numbing trivia, your date will begin to think your ex may have had a point, and, yes, you were being unreasonable that time in Paris.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Obviously, the thousands of trillions of calculations in the BF algorithm resulted in an unreasonable execution time for structural elucidation in these two cases.

Journal of Cheminformatics

For extremely large sensing matrices, e.g, 4014×4096 and 6021×6144, the LP and SDP methods cannot provide any lower bound on k due to unreasonable computational time.

EURASIP Journal on Advances in Signal Processing

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "unreasonable time", ensure the context clearly defines what constitutes a reasonable timeframe. Providing a benchmark helps the reader understand the extent of the excess.

Common error

Avoid using "unreasonable time" without specifying what would be considered reasonable in that situation. The phrase is subjective; therefore, clarity is crucial to effective communication.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "unreasonable time" primarily functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun. It describes a period that is considered excessive or inappropriate, providing a subjective assessment of duration. Ludwig confirms its usability.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

44%

Encyclopedias

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "unreasonable time" serves to denote a duration considered excessive or inappropriate within a given context. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usability is grammatically correct, making it a valuable asset in various communication settings. While not overly frequent, with a score of "Uncommon", its presence in authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Guardian signals its reliability. To enhance clarity, provide a reference point for what is considered reasonable. Avoiding ambiguity ensures effective delivery. You may consider using "excessive delay", "undue length", and "inordinate duration" as meaningful alternatives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

excessive delay

Focuses on the delay aspect, implying the time taken is beyond what is acceptable.

undue length

Emphasizes the prolonged nature of the duration, suggesting it's unnecessarily long.

inordinate duration

Highlights the disproportionate extent of the time period.

unjustifiable delay

Stresses the lack of a valid reason for the extended time.

unwarranted timeframe

Indicates the time period is not justified or necessary.

protracted period

Suggests a prolonged and often tedious duration.

excessive waiting period

Specifically refers to a time of waiting that is considered too long.

extended delay

Simply indicates that the delay has been prolonged.

long delay

A more straightforward way to describe a delay that is lengthy.

inappropriate duration

Focuses on the unsuitability of the time period for a given purpose.

FAQs

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

You can use "unreasonable time" to describe a duration that is excessive or inappropriate in a specific context. For example: "The project experienced an "unreasonable time" delay due to unforeseen circumstances."

What are some alternatives to "unreasonable time"?

Some alternatives to "unreasonable time" include "excessive delay", "undue length", or "inordinate duration" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "unreasonable time"?

It's appropriate to use "unreasonable time" when you want to emphasize that the duration of something is excessive, inappropriate, or not justified in a particular situation.

What's the difference between "unreasonable time" and "unreasonable delay"?

"Unreasonable time" refers to the duration itself being excessive, while "unreasonable delay" focuses on the act of delaying and its excessive nature. The choice depends on whether you're emphasizing the time or the delay.