absurd to think

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "absurd to think" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express disbelief or to highlight the irrationality of a particular thought or idea. Example: "It's absurd to think that we can solve this complex problem without any collaboration."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It's absurd to think that Martha Graham died thinking she was 'a work for hire' and gave her work away," he said.

The New York Times - Arts

It is absurd to think that the company is only now "figuring out" demand.

Independent

"It's absurd to think that anyone would believe this broken promise if it's made again.

Independent

It's absurd to think that 14 fourth graders could accomplish anything so sensible.

The New York Times

Politically, it is absurd to think Europe's decisions do not affect us.

The Guardian

It's absurd to think that anyone could simply will into existence Hollywood or Silicon Valley.

MIT Technology Review

It seems absurd to think something like that is within Shiffrin's reach.

The Washington Post

It's absurd to think that we can deal effectively with a complex problem like this without understanding it.

University of California, Berkeley

It is absurd to think that's the whole story, or even the majority of the story".

The Guardian

"Of course, it's absurd to think that Sadie's ill-gotten gains would build a church," she wrote.

The New Yorker

"It's absurd to think that managers can't establish goals that require minimum productivity," said the spokesman, Paul J. Browne.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "absurd to think" when you want to directly challenge the rationality of an idea. It's effective in debates, opinion pieces, and persuasive writing.

Common error

While "absurd to think" is acceptable, overuse in highly formal or academic writing might sound less professional. Consider substituting with more sophisticated alternatives like "implausible" or "illogical" for a more refined tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "absurd to think" functions as an adjective phrase followed by an infinitive, expressing a subjective judgment of incredulity or disbelief towards a particular idea. Ludwig provides many examples where this phrase is used to directly challenge the validity of an idea.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Academia

25%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "absurd to think" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase for expressing disbelief or incredulity. According to Ludwig, the phrase is widely used and correct. Primarily found in news and academic contexts, it serves to challenge the rationality of ideas and persuade audiences. While acceptable, overusing it in highly formal settings might reduce the professional tone. Alternatives like "ludicrous to assume" or "preposterous to imagine" can offer a similar sentiment with slight variations in emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ludicrous to assume

Replaces "absurd" with "ludicrous", heightening the sense of ridiculousness in the assumption.

ridiculous to believe

Substitutes "absurd" with "ridiculous", emphasizing the foolishness of the belief.

preposterous to imagine

Uses "preposterous" instead of "absurd", adding a stronger tone of outrage or disbelief.

implausible to accept

Focuses on the lack of plausibility, making it difficult to accept as a valid idea.

unthinkable to consider

Shifts the focus to the impossibility of considering something, rather than its absurdity.

beggars belief

An idiomatic expression suggesting that something is so extraordinary it is difficult to believe.

defies logic

Focuses on the lack of logical basis, rather than the absurdity of the thought itself.

stretches credulity

Highlights that something is so unlikely that it tests the limits of believability.

hard to swallow

Uses a more idiomatic expression to convey difficulty in accepting something as true.

beyond comprehension

Emphasizes the difficulty in understanding or grasping the idea, rather than its absurdity.

FAQs

How can I use "absurd to think" in a sentence?

You can use "absurd to think" to express disbelief or disagreement with a particular idea. For example, "It's "absurd to think" that we can solve climate change without international cooperation".

What are some alternatives to "absurd to think"?

Alternatives include "ridiculous to believe", "ludicrous to assume", or "preposterous to imagine", depending on the context and the level of formality you wish to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "absurd to think" in writing?

This phrase is suitable for expressing strong disagreement or highlighting the irrationality of a statement. It works well in opinion pieces, arguments, and when directly refuting a claim. It is generally acceptable for both formal and informal works.

Is "absurd to think" grammatically correct?

Yes, "absurd to think" is grammatically correct. It combines an adjective ("absurd") with an infinitive verb phrase ("to think") to express a judgment about the rationality of a thought or idea. Ludwig confirms that this phrase is correct and usable in English.