영어 강사 찾기
aaa234
Untenable - use of the word
I found a sentence:
"The situation in their marriage became untenable"
I checked the meaning of word "untenable" and the dictionary says that it's only:
"incapable of being defended or justified"
Is this word used correctly in this context? Wouldn't the word "unbearable" be more appropriate?
2011년 5월 11일 오후 8:44
답변 · 3
untenable means "cannot be maintained".
2011년 5월 14일
In this sentence untenable means impossible
"The situation in their marriage became impossible"
2011년 5월 11일
'Untenable' is used suitably for the sentence you have said as an example.
The sentence : "The situation in their marriage became untenable" says that their relationship for certain will fall apart; there is no way so that they can still live together as a wife and husband.
in return adjective ' unbearable' we can use e.g,: an unbearable pain (= the pain makes you upset and annoyed)
Correct me if my way of apprehension is wrong;)
2011년 5월 11일
아직도 답을 찾지 못하셨나요?
질문을 남겨보세요. 원어민이 도움을 줄 수 있을 거예요!
aaa234
언어 구사 능력
영어, 프랑스어, 독일어, 폴란드어, 러시아어
학습 언어
영어, 프랑스어, 독일어, 러시아어
좋아할 수도 있는 읽을거리

Speak More Fluently with This Simple Technique
5 좋아요 · 1 댓글

How to Read and Understand a Business Contract in English
10 좋아요 · 2 댓글

6 Ways italki Can Help You Succeed in Your School Language Classes
12 좋아요 · 6 댓글
다른 읽을거리