unreasonably onerous

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "unreasonably onerous" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a burden or obligation that is excessively difficult or demanding, often in legal or contractual contexts. Example: "The terms of the contract were deemed unreasonably onerous, leading to negotiations for more favorable conditions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

But the architecture of e-mail was unreasonably onerous, and thus, the blog evolved.

The New York Times

He will not be the first coach to find such a prospect unreasonably onerous.

The Guardian - Sport

The attorneys representing the five defendants accused of masterminding the September 11 , 2001 terrorist attacks claim Bogdan's rules make their jobs unreasonably onerous.

HuffPost

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

(4)Unreasonably burdensome pension costs.

Cornell University

Constellation said the government's demand was "unreasonably burdensome".

The New York Times

The alternate route taken was well recognized, and there is no claim that the vessel or the crew or the nature of the cargo made the route actually taken unreasonably difficult, dangerous or onerous.

Harvard University

He came unreasonably close.

The New Yorker

Unreasonably good fun.

The Guardian - Arts

It's not onerous.

The New York Times - Food

An unreasonably warm summer.

The Guardian - Opinion

Is that unreasonably discriminatory?

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "unreasonably onerous" when you want to emphasize that a burden or obligation is not just difficult, but also unfair or unjustified. This phrase adds a layer of critique to the description.

Common error

Avoid using "unreasonably onerous" in casual conversations or informal writing. The phrase is relatively formal and sounds out of place in relaxed settings. Opt for simpler alternatives like "too difficult" or "too much".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "unreasonably onerous" functions as an intensifier modifying an adjective. It serves to emphasize that something is not just burdensome, but excessively and unfairly so. Ludwig AI shows this usage in contexts ranging from legal agreements to workload assessments.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Academia

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "unreasonably onerous" is a grammatically sound and relatively formal expression used to describe something that is excessively burdensome and unjust. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in written English, particularly in legal, academic, and professional contexts. While not very frequent, it effectively conveys a strong critique of a situation. For simpler situations, consider alternatives like "too burdensome" or "unfairly demanding". Keep in mind that while grammatically correct the phrase is better suitable to formal settings than informal ones.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Excessively burdensome

Replaces "unreasonably" with "excessively", focusing on the degree of the burden.

Unduly burdensome

Substitutes "unreasonably" with "unduly", emphasizing the inappropriateness of the burden.

Inordinately demanding

Replaces both words with synonyms emphasizing the excessive requirements.

Unfairly onerous

Focuses on the justice aspect of the burden.

Disproportionately burdensome

Highlights the imbalance between the burden and what is reasonable.

Overly taxing

Simplifies the phrase while retaining the sense of excessive burden.

Unacceptably burdensome

Focuses on the unacceptability of the level of burden.

Unjustifiably onerous

Emphasizes that there is no good reason for the burden.

Immoderately burdensome

Uses a more formal synonym for "unreasonably".

Exorbitantly demanding

Highlights that the demand is very high and excessive.

FAQs

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

You can use "unreasonably onerous" to describe a task, requirement, or condition that is excessively burdensome or difficult, implying unfairness or lack of justification. For example, "The contract's terms were "unreasonably onerous", leading to renegotiation."

What's a simpler way to say "unreasonably onerous"?

Alternatives include "too burdensome", "excessively difficult", or "unfairly demanding". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is "unreasonably onerous" suitable for formal writing?

Yes, "unreasonably onerous" is suitable for formal writing, particularly in legal, academic, or professional contexts where precise and critical language is appropriate. It effectively communicates that a burden is not only heavy but also unjustified.

What distinguishes "unreasonably onerous" from simply "onerous"?

While "onerous" describes something burdensome, adding "unreasonably" emphasizes that the burden is excessive and lacks justification. This intensifies the critique, suggesting the burden is unfair or inappropriate.