abject nonsense

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "abject nonsense" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is utterly ridiculous or without any merit. Example: "The proposal presented at the meeting was nothing but abject nonsense, lacking any logical foundation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

That is abject nonsense.

The Guardian - Opinion

So many scenes have been yanked out of the second half as to reduce Hero to abject nonsense.

The Guardian - Film

He's a lager-eater!" Damon does, of course, talk complete sense and abject nonsense in equal measure.

The Guardian - Music

Admittedly the programmes would be full of abject nonsense such as live interviews from the team hotel, live interviews from the team bus as it sat in traffic jams en route to Wembley, obstacle-course races and charity five-a-side matches contested by minor celebrities, and music-hall comic turns based on highly questionable racial stereotypes.

The Guardian - Sport

As Joan Walsh pointed out later in the show, this is abject nonsense.

Huffington Post

And while neither the policy positions of the two sides are above debate, nor the territories staked out by pundits of a more partisan bent are beyond critique, it's these woeful self-styled centrists who are consistently pouring out page after page of abject nonsense.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

That was abject cowardice".

The New Yorker

Of all the abject illusions!

The New Yorker

Tyson wept, abject and philosophical.

The New Yorker

I was an abject jerk.

The New York Times

Breakfast was abject.

The Guardian - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "abject nonsense" to express strong disapproval or disbelief, especially when you want to emphasize the complete lack of merit or validity in something.

Common error

Avoid using "abject nonsense" in highly formal or professional settings, as it can come across as too informal or dismissive. Opt for more neutral alternatives like "invalid argument" or "flawed reasoning".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "abject nonsense" primarily functions as a noun phrase, where "abject" is an adjective modifying the noun "nonsense". It serves to express a strong dismissal or rejection of something considered utterly foolish or lacking merit, as confirmed by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "abject nonsense" is a grammatically sound and usable expression in English, primarily functioning as a noun phrase. It effectively conveys strong disapproval or rejection of something deemed utterly without merit, as confirmed by Ludwig. While its usage is more common in news media and informal contexts, caution is advised in formal settings where more neutral alternatives may be preferable. The phrase is infrequent but its purpose is well understood.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

utter rubbish

Replaces "nonsense" with "rubbish", suggesting something worthless or untrue.

absolute drivel

Uses "drivel" instead of "nonsense", emphasizing the meaninglessness of the statement.

total gibberish

Substitutes "nonsense" with "gibberish", stressing its incomprehensibility.

complete balderdash

Substitutes "nonsense" with "balderdash", offering a more playful and old-fashioned feel.

patent absurdity

Replaces "nonsense" with "absurdity", highlighting the ridiculous nature of the statement.

pure hogwash

Replaces "nonsense" with "hogwash", implying a falsehood or exaggeration.

arrant poppycock

Replaces "nonsense" with "poppycock", offering a more assertive dismissal of the statement.

downright foolishness

Emphasizes the lack of sense or wisdom in the statement.

blatant foolishness

Substitutes "nonsense" with "foolishness", stressing the obvious lack of sense.

sheer bunkum

Replaces "nonsense" with "bunkum", implying deception or insincerity.

FAQs

How can I use "abject nonsense" in a sentence?

You can use "abject nonsense" to describe something that is utterly ridiculous or without any merit. For example, "The proposal presented at the meeting was nothing but "abject nonsense", lacking any logical foundation."

What can I say instead of "abject nonsense"?

You can use alternatives like "utter rubbish", "complete balderdash", or "absolute drivel" depending on the context.

Is "abject nonsense" too informal for professional communication?

While grammatically correct, "abject nonsense" can sound dismissive. In professional settings, consider alternatives like "unsubstantiated claims" or "invalid assertions".

What is the difference between "abject nonsense" and "plain nonsense"?

"Abject nonsense" emphasizes the extreme or blatant nature of the nonsense. "Plain nonsense" simply indicates a lack of sense or reason, without the same degree of emphasis.