unreasonably high

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "unreasonably high" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is excessively elevated or beyond what is considered reasonable, often in contexts like prices, expectations, or demands. Example: "The cost of living in the city has become unreasonably high, making it difficult for many residents to afford housing."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"I still thought prices were unreasonably high".

The New York Times

New Yorkers' standards for this can sometimes be unreasonably high.

The New York Times

It is merely the victim of unreasonably high expectations.

The New York Times

An increase is deemed excessive if it is "unreasonably high in relation to the benefits provided".

The New York Times

Homeowners, it seems, apply unreasonably high discount rates when considering going green.

The Economist

Amazon itself says that staff are held to "unreasonably high" standards.

Independent

The government is yet to define what it would consider to be unreasonably high surcharges.

The Guardian - Money

But this means it is being held to unreasonably high standards.

The Economist

In fact, parents called that week to pledge support and vent about unreasonably high standards.

The New York Times

It was the expectation that her division would generate unreasonably high profits.

The New York Times

Are parents' expectations unreasonably high and thus a goad to dishonesty?

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "unreasonably high", ensure you provide context as to why the level is considered unreasonable. For example, specify what the high level is being compared to or what makes it excessive.

Common error

Avoid using "unreasonably high" without providing sufficient justification or context. State why the level is considered unreasonable; otherwise, the statement lacks credibility and impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "unreasonably high" functions as an adverb-adjective combination that modifies nouns. It indicates that something is at a level that is excessively elevated or beyond reasonable limits. Ludwig's examples confirm its use in describing costs, expectations, standards, and other measurable attributes.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "unreasonably high" is a correct and versatile adverb-adjective phrase used to describe something that exceeds justifiable or acceptable limits. Ludwig AI confirms its usage across various domains like News & Media and Science, indicating its neutral tone. It is crucial to provide context and justification when using this phrase to ensure clarity and impact. Alternatives such as "excessively high" or "unduly high" can be employed depending on the nuance you want to convey. Avoiding its use without context is key to ensure credibility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Improperly high

Indicates a level that is not appropriately justified or correctly set; emphasizes a lack of justification.

Inappropriately high

Highlights that the level is unsuitable or not fitting for the situation; focuses on the lack of suitability.

Exaggeratedly high

Suggests the level has been artificially inflated or overstated; emphasizes the artificial increase.

Unnecessarily high

Emphasizes that the level is not required or needed; highlights the lack of necessity.

Disproportionately high

Indicates the level is out of balance compared to other related factors; emphasizes the imbalance.

Absurdly high

Highlights the level is illogical or makes no sense; emphasizes the lack of logic.

Unfairly high

Implies the level is unjust or biased; emphasizes the lack of fairness.

Unduly high

Suggests the level is excessive and unwarranted; emphasizes the lack of justification and being excessive.

Overly high

Focuses on the excessiveness of the level, suggesting it surpasses a reasonable limit.

Exceedingly high

Suggests the level is exceptionally high, going beyond ordinary expectations or measures.

FAQs

How can I use "unreasonably high" in a sentence?

You can use "unreasonably high" to describe costs, expectations, or standards that are excessively elevated. For example, "The prices at that restaurant are "unreasonably high"." or "The company's expectations for sales growth were "unreasonably high"."

What's a good alternative to "unreasonably high"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "excessively high", "unduly high", or "inappropriately high".

Which is correct: "unreasonably high" or "unreasonable high"?

"Unreasonably high" is the correct form. "Unreasonable high" is grammatically incorrect because "unreasonably" is an adverb that modifies the adjective "high", whereas "unreasonable" is an adjective.

When is it appropriate to use the term "unreasonably high"?

It is appropriate when you want to express that something is excessively elevated beyond what is considered reasonable or justifiable. The term is effective when emphasizing the lack of rational basis for the elevated level.