absurd proposition

USAGE SUMMARY

"absurd proposition" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when you want to express that an idea is completely unreasonable, foolish, or illogical. Example sentence: When my boss suggested that we cut staff salaries in order to purchase a new office espresso machine, I thought it was an absurd proposition.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

It's a fairly absurd proposition.

The New York Times

Even more, it is an absurd proposition.

The Guardian

"I think that's an absurd proposition," Mr. Pfeiffer said on Fox.

The New York Times

After calling her one night and blurting an absurd proposition, Vinnie fears Patsy will think he's an obscene caller.

The New York Times - Books

Earlier on Friday, Senator Charles E. Schumer of New York called Mr. Boehner's legislation an "absurd, absurd proposition".

The New York Times

It is, of course, an absurd proposition; when Heritage propounded this doctrine, it was also retrogressing intellectually by at least 80 years.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

33 human-written examples

If anyone can find a worse written, more cliché-ridden, more meaningless, more patronising, more tin-eared collection of absurd propositions paraded as common sense, then I will give them £50.

The Guardian

"If you do it through humour rather than trying to argue the point it just ridicules the point and highlights how people are making really quite absurd propositions," he said.

The Guardian

The λ-calculus is not a logic for reasoning about propositions; there is no apparent notion of contradiction or a method of forming absurd propositions (e.g., p ∧ ¬p).

SEP

Selling an American-style weight-loss program to France would seem an absurd business proposition: from a French point of view, Americans might appear better equipped to give pointers on how to gain weight than how to lose it.

The New York Times - Magazine

The seemingly absurd Thatcherite proposition that you could be a 20th-century British patriot in a society designed as if we still lived in the 18th-century world of Adam Smith, when the only universal networks were the same as in medieval times – defence, the justice system and the production of currency – has been mainstream doctrine for the major parties ever since.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Employ "absurd proposition" when you want to convey not just disagreement, but also a sense of incredulity or disbelief at the suggestion being made.

Common error

While effective, "absurd proposition" can sound overly dismissive in formal or professional settings. Consider softening the language to maintain a respectful tone. For example, use "questionable idea" or "dubious suggestion".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "absurd proposition" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective 'absurd' modifies the noun 'proposition'. It expresses a strong negative judgment about the validity or reasonableness of an idea. Ludwig confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "absurd proposition" is a grammatically correct and usable expression in English, employed to denote an utterly illogical or unreasonable idea, according to Ludwig. Its usage spans various contexts, but it's particularly common in News & Media. While conveying strong disagreement, careful consideration of the tone is necessary, especially in formal settings, where alternatives like "questionable proposal" might be more appropriate. The phrase is used to dismiss ideas, arguments or policies as nonsensical and lacking any merit. It should be noted that "absurd proposition" is more than just disagreement, but also conveys a sense of incredulity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ludicrous idea

Replaces 'proposition' with 'idea' for a more general term, implying foolishness.

preposterous suggestion

Uses stronger synonyms to emphasize the outrageous nature of the proposal.

ridiculous claim

Focuses on the assertion being unreasonable or nonsensical.

outlandish concept

Emphasizes the bizarre and unconventional nature of the idea.

inane proposal

Highlights the lack of intelligence or sense in the proposition.

nonsensical argument

Indicates that the reasoning behind the proposition is flawed and illogical.

foolish notion

Suggests that the idea is naive and lacking in wisdom.

untenable assertion

Focuses on the indefensibility and lack of support for the statement.

implausible theory

Highlights the low probability and unconvincing nature of the explanation.

far-fetched scheme

Emphasizes the improbability and impracticality of the plan.

FAQs

How can I use "absurd proposition" in a sentence?

You can use "absurd proposition" to describe an idea or suggestion that is completely illogical or unreasonable. For example, "His plan to fund the project by selling company assets was an absurd proposition".

What are some alternatives to "absurd proposition"?

Alternatives include "ludicrous idea", "preposterous suggestion", or "ridiculous claim", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "absurd proposition" appropriate for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "absurd proposition" can be considered somewhat informal or dismissive. In formal writing, consider using a more neutral term like "questionable proposal" or "unrealistic suggestion".

What makes a proposition "absurd"?

A proposition is considered "absurd" when it is completely illogical, unreasonable, or contrary to common sense. It often implies a strong sense of disbelief or rejection.