would be unacceptable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "would be unacceptable" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express that a certain situation or action is not permissible or is considered inappropriate. Example: "In a professional setting, arriving late to meetings would be unacceptable."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He would be unacceptable now.

The New York Times

It simply would be unacceptable".

The New York Times

That would be unacceptable.

The Guardian

Expressing such sentiments openly would be unacceptable.

The New York Times

And I think that would be unacceptable".

The New York Times

Anything less would be unacceptable.

The Guardian - Opinion

This would be unacceptable to the Palestinians.

The Guardian

That would be unacceptable — but it wasn't what happened.

The New York Times

That would be unacceptable, and I'd have to destroy him".

The New Yorker

Such exploitation would be unacceptable in any context.

The Economist

Such favouritism would be unacceptable in any circumstances.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "would be unacceptable", ensure the context clearly defines why the action or situation is unacceptable. This adds clarity and strengthens your argument.

Common error

Avoid using "would be unacceptable" as a standalone judgment. Instead, provide specific reasons or consequences to support your claim. For instance, instead of saying, "That behavior would be unacceptable", specify, "That behavior, due to its disruptive nature, would be unacceptable in a professional setting."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "would be unacceptable" functions as a predicate adjective phrase. It indicates a judgment about something, deeming it not permissible or appropriate. Ludwig AI provides numerous examples where the phrase is used to express disapproval or to set boundaries in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "would be unacceptable" is a versatile expression used to convey that something is not permissible or appropriate. As evidenced by Ludwig AI, it's commonly found in news, science, and formal contexts, serving to express disapproval or set boundaries. While grammatically correct and very common, it's crucial to provide context to clarify why something is considered unacceptable. Alternatives such as ""would not be tolerated"" or ""would be inappropriate"" can be used for nuanced emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

would not be tolerated

Emphasizes a lack of acceptance or endurance of something.

would be inadmissible

Suggests something cannot be allowed or considered, often in a legal or formal context.

would be impermissible

Indicates something is strictly forbidden or not allowed.

would be intolerable

Highlights the unbearable or extremely unpleasant nature of something.

would be indefensible

Implies something cannot be justified or excused.

would be unjustifiable

Suggests that there is no valid reason or excuse for something.

would be inappropriate

Indicates something is not suitable or fitting for a particular situation.

would be out of the question

Conveys something is absolutely not possible or allowed.

cannot be condoned

Emphasizes the disapproval and unwillingness to overlook something.

is simply not an option

Indicates that something is not a viable or acceptable choice.

FAQs

How can I use "would be unacceptable" in a sentence?

Use "would be unacceptable" to express that something is not permissible or appropriate in a given context. For example, "Any form of discrimination "would be unacceptable" in our organization".

What are some alternatives to "would be unacceptable"?

Alternatives include "would not be tolerated", "would be inadmissible", or "would be inappropriate", depending on the specific context.

Is there a difference between "would be unacceptable" and "is unacceptable"?

"Would be unacceptable" suggests a hypothetical or future situation, while "is unacceptable" describes a current state. For example, "If the project is delayed, it "would be unacceptable"," versus "The current delay "is unacceptable"."

When is it appropriate to use "would be unacceptable" in formal writing?

It is appropriate in formal writing to express strong disapproval or to set clear boundaries. For instance, "Any deviation from the agreed-upon terms "would be unacceptable" and result in immediate termination of the contract".