act of folly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "act of folly" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a foolish or unwise action taken by someone. Example: "His decision to invest all his savings in a failing business was an act of folly."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

33 human-written examples

Some Lisboans even cycled, normally an act of folly.

The Economist

An act of folly, but there you go".

Independent

"An act of folly cannot rid us of this reality".

The Guardian

Then, through an act of folly, you got yourself involved in the Helping Hambantota scandal.

The New Yorker

The council had "committed a great act of folly" in selling it, it said.

The Guardian

To most television executives outside NBC, Mr. Leno's eviction seemed an act of folly.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

27 human-written examples

The Times and Post reviews strongly praised the second act of "Follies" and hailed Ms. Maxwell's performance, but had plenty of quibbles elsewhere, especially in the first act.

The New York Times

Most of the second act of "Follies" is staged as a revue, in which the younger versions of the two couples (featuring Kirsten Scott as an outstanding Young Phyllis) sing Sondheim's sendup of Jerome Kern and Harold Arlen — "You're Gonna Love Tomorrow" — and the present-day Sally sings one of the great modern torch songs, "Losing My Mind".

The New Yorker

For those acts of folly, he lost his job, incurred the wrath of his family, and saw his ambitions for higher office destroyed.

The New Yorker

If the only real obstacles domestically are acts of folly or provocations by the "shadow state", the real unknown is how neighbouring countries will react.

The Guardian - Opinion

It might not be easy for you — or pleasant — to hear all the acts of folly I perpetrated since you left Paris — all under the pressure of repulsive experiences.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the context carefully; "act of folly" is stronger than simply calling something a mistake or error.

Common error

Avoid using "act of folly" in everyday situations where a simpler term like "mistake" or "error" would suffice. Overusing the phrase can make your writing sound overly dramatic or pretentious.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "act of folly" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It identifies a specific instance of foolish behavior or a misguided decision. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically sound and usable.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Formal & Business

10%

Science

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

2%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "act of folly" is a grammatically correct and widely used noun phrase, primarily found in News & Media, to describe a particularly unwise or foolish action. Ludwig AI confirms the validity of this phrase. While it can be replaced with alternatives such as "foolish action" or "unwise decision", "act of folly" carries a stronger connotation of condemnation. It's essential to use it judiciously, avoiding overuse in casual contexts, to maintain its impact and avoid sounding pretentious.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

foolish action

Focuses on the action being unintelligent or ill-considered.

unwise decision

Emphasizes the lack of wisdom in the choice made.

ill-advised deed

Highlights that the deed was not properly thought through.

rash move

Suggests the action was impulsive and lacked forethought.

imprudent step

Indicates a lack of caution and good judgment.

harebrained scheme

Implies the plan was silly and unlikely to succeed.

foolhardy undertaking

Suggests a dangerous and reckless endeavor.

blunder

Refers to a stupid or careless mistake.

gaffe

A socially awkward or tactless act.

misstep

Indicates a mistake or fault in judgment.

FAQs

How can I use "act of folly" in a sentence?

You can use "act of folly" to describe a decision or action that, in hindsight, seems extremely unwise. For example, "Investing all his money in that venture proved to be an "act of folly"".

What are some alternatives to "act of folly"?

Alternatives include "foolish action", "unwise decision", or "ill-advised deed". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "act of folly" a formal expression?

Yes, "act of folly" is generally considered a formal expression. It's more appropriate for serious or reflective writing than for casual conversation.

What distinguishes an "act of folly" from a simple mistake?

An "act of folly" implies a greater degree of poor judgment and often carries more significant consequences than a simple mistake. It suggests the action was not just incorrect, but also particularly unwise or reckless.