was utterly unacceptable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'was utterly unacceptable' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation or an action that is very wrong and should not be tolerated. For example, "The amount of violence in the video game was utterly unacceptable and should not be allowed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

Making Americans pay for something they believe to be morally wrong was utterly unacceptable.

The Economist

That a junior Sri Lankan football team was recently allowed to play in Tamil Nadu, she believes, was utterly unacceptable.

The Economist

He wrote on Twitter that the storming of the Fatherland offices was "utterly unacceptable in European society".

The Guardian

She also said the idea of a departure extension long enough to require the UK to hold European elections was "utterly unacceptable".

The Guardian

"Nonetheless, Jonathan Ross's contribution to this edition of the Russell Brand show was utterly unacceptable and cannot be allowed to go uncensured or without sanction.

The Guardian

In a statement in March reported by CNN, Khun Thiraphong Chansiri, the company's president and CEO, said that human trafficking was "utterly unacceptable".

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

This is utterly unacceptable.

The Guardian

That is utterly unacceptable.

The Guardian - Opinion

It is utterly unacceptable and we condemn it.

The New York Times

A 12,500-signature petition says the institute is "utterly unacceptable".

The Guardian

The way things are currently moving is utterly unacceptable.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was utterly unacceptable" to express strong disapproval of actions or situations that violate moral, ethical, or professional standards. Be clear about why something is unacceptable to ensure your message is impactful.

Common error

While "was utterly unacceptable" is a strong phrase, avoid using it excessively in casual conversation. It's more fitting for formal writing or serious discussions where emphasis is needed. Instead, consider alternatives like "not okay" or "inappropriate" for less formal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was utterly unacceptable" functions as a subject complement, providing a description of the subject's state or quality. It expresses a strong negative judgment about something, indicating it is completely intolerable or improper. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase is correct and usable in English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

90%

Formal & Business

5%

Science

3%

Less common in

Academia

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "was utterly unacceptable" is a phrase used to convey strong disapproval or rejection. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a grammatically correct and usable expression, most commonly found in news and media contexts to express a negative judgment. While it's appropriate for formal and serious discussions, avoid overusing it in informal settings. Alternatives like ""was completely intolerable"" or ""was wholly inappropriate"" can provide similar emphasis with slight contextual differences. When employing "was utterly unacceptable", be clear about the reasons for your disapproval to make your message impactful.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was completely intolerable

Replaces "unacceptable" with "intolerable" to emphasize the unbearable nature of the situation.

was wholly inappropriate

Substitutes "unacceptable" with "inappropriate", focusing on the unsuitability of the action or behavior.

was entirely out of line

Uses an idiomatic expression to convey that the action crossed a boundary of acceptable behavior.

was patently wrong

Replaces "unacceptable" with "wrong" and adds "patently" to highlight the obviousness of the error.

was simply not an option

Indicates that the situation was impossible to accept or consider.

was absolutely impermissible

Replaces "unacceptable" with "impermissible" to convey that the situation was not allowed or permitted.

was beyond the pale

Uses an idiom to express that something is outside the bounds of what is considered acceptable in a particular society or context.

was thoroughly objectionable

Replaces "unacceptable" with "objectionable", focusing on the quality of causing offense or disapproval.

was just not on

A more informal way of saying something was unacceptable.

could not be condoned

Emphasizes that the action could not be excused or forgiven.

FAQs

How can I use "was utterly unacceptable" in a sentence?

You can use "was utterly unacceptable" to express strong disapproval or rejection of something. For example, "His behavior at the meeting "was utterly unacceptable" and he was asked to leave".

What are some alternatives to "was utterly unacceptable"?

Some alternatives include "was completely intolerable", "was wholly inappropriate", or "was entirely out of line" depending on the specific context.

What is the difference between "was unacceptable" and "was utterly unacceptable"?

Adding "utterly" intensifies the phrase, emphasizing a stronger sense of disapproval. "Was unacceptable" simply means something was not okay, whereas "was utterly unacceptable" suggests it was completely and unequivocally wrong.

Is "was utterly unacceptable" formal or informal?

The phrase "was utterly unacceptable" is generally considered formal and suitable for professional or serious contexts. In informal settings, simpler alternatives like "was not okay" or "was inappropriate" may be more fitting.