absolutely insane

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'absolutely insane' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to emphasize that something is extremely surprising or shocking in a negative way. For example: "The amount of paperwork we were expected to complete in one day was absolutely insane."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

This is absolutely insane.

The New York Times

It was absolutely insane.

The Guardian

This drives Tarantino absolutely insane.

The New Yorker

"The whole year's been absolutely insane.

The Guardian - Sport

"We go absolutely insane!" says Bussi.

The Guardian

I thought they were absolutely insane.

The New York Times - Sports

"People think he is absolutely insane," Ms. Macy said.

The New York Times

The interest that they had in her was absolutely insane.

The Guardian - Music

"It allowed these absolutely insane bubbles to happen.

The New York Times

By Delamere's own admission, his week is "absolutely insane".

The Guardian

"I thought, Well, they're either geniuses or absolutely insane".

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "absolutely insane" to express strong disbelief or shock at something that defies logic or reason. It's appropriate when you want to convey a sense of incredulity or outrage.

Common error

While "absolutely insane" is effective for emphasis, overuse can diminish its impact. Vary your language with alternatives like "utterly ludicrous" or "completely preposterous" to maintain a dynamic and engaging tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "absolutely insane" functions as an adjectival phrase, intensifying the adjective "insane". As Ludwig AI confirms, it's used to emphasize the extreme nature of something. Ludwig examples include describing situations, ideas, or behaviors as unbelievably irrational or shocking.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Formal & Business

8%

Science

4%

Less common in

Reference

3%

Social Media

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "absolutely insane" is a common and grammatically correct way to express strong disbelief or shock. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English, highlighting its function to emphasize the extreme nature of something. While versatile, it is more suited to neutral to informal contexts, with a high frequency in News & Media. For formal situations, alternatives like "utterly ludicrous" or "completely preposterous" might be more appropriate. Remember to vary your language to avoid overuse and maintain a dynamic tone. The main function of "absolutely insane" is to signal that something is perceived as illogical and/or unreasonable by a speaker.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

totally absurd

This alternative is a direct synonym using simpler language.

downright crazy

This is a more informal and direct synonym.

patently absurd

Replaces "absolutely" with "patently" for a slightly more formal tone, both indicating obviousness.

utterly ludicrous

This alternative uses a more formal word ("ludicrous") to describe something that is ridiculous and doesn't make sense.

mind-bogglingly irrational

This alternative highlights the lack of reason or logic involved, making it more descriptive and intense.

completely preposterous

Similar to "utterly ludicrous", this option employs a stronger, more literary term ("preposterous") to express disbelief.

genuinely outrageous

This focuses on the shocking and unacceptable nature of something, rather than its irrationality.

simply madness

This alternative uses a noun ("madness") to describe the state of something being insane. It is more emphatic but less common.

pure lunacy

Synonymous to "simply madness", this alternative is a vivid and slightly old-fashioned way to describe something insane.

unbelievably foolish

This phrase focuses on the lack of wisdom or intelligence, which can be related to but isn't exactly the same as insanity.

FAQs

How can I use "absolutely insane" in a sentence?

You can use "absolutely insane" to describe something unbelievable or shocking, such as: "The traffic this morning was "absolutely insane"." or "His proposal to cut the budget by 50% is "absolutely insane"".

What are some alternatives to "absolutely insane"?

Alternatives include "utterly ludicrous", "completely preposterous", or "totally absurd", depending on the context and desired level of formality.

Is "absolutely insane" formal or informal?

"Absolutely insane" is generally considered informal. For more formal situations, consider using alternatives like "patently absurd" or "mind-bogglingly irrational".

When is it appropriate to use "absolutely insane"?

Use "absolutely insane" when you want to express a strong feeling of disbelief, shock, or outrage about something that seems completely illogical or unreasonable. Be mindful of your audience, as it may not be suitable for all situations.