act of foolishness

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "act of foolishness" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a specific action that is considered unwise or lacking in judgment. Example: "His decision to invest all his savings in a risky venture was an act of foolishness that he would later regret."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

It is not just an act of foolishness, but of apocalyptic arrogance.

The New York Times

He remembers thinking that it was an "act of foolishness, a horrible mistake".

The New Yorker

On the contrary, it was an act of foolishness that undermined due process.

The Guardian

"To repeat that act would be a tragic act of foolishness and waste," he said.

The New York Times

He remembers thinking that it was an "act of foolishness, a horrible mistake". His wife was a thoughtful and at times energetic citizen, who organized small-scale campaigns for local issues; like him, she was opposed to Russia's involvement in the war in eastern Ukraine, but she was not a committed activist, let alone some sort of spy.

The New Yorker

Russians call the seeds pukh -- reasonably enough, since pukh is Russian for "tuft". This is pukh season in Moscow, a period when windows remain shut, when yawning outdoors is an act of foolishness, when Muscovites shrug good-humoredly at their "summer snow," but when they also carry handkerchiefs, wear sunglasses and assiduously wash down the streets.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

The slaughter is blamed on a fellow-student, Lord Poxe, who is censured by the Warden with the words "It was a foolish act, Lord Poxe, an act of wanton foolishness, but I do not wish to be hard on you...

The New Yorker

The slaughter is blamed on a fellow-student, Lord Poxe, who is censured by the Warden with the words "It was a foolish act, Lord Poxe, an act of wanton foolishness, but I do not wish to be hard on you.... Lady Emily Crane, your great aunt, you will remember, married a Mr Arthur Thorn, my grandfather.

The New Yorker

It's an act of real foolishness to walk into that nonsense.

The New Yorker

"This is an act of political foolishness so profound, I'm, to this day, at a loss for words.

Huffington Post

What happens next elevated the stunt from random act of festival foolishness to a full-blown act of notoriety: Platt squirms under the table, runs behind Jr. Flo, jumps on his back and wraps her legs around him, her bare ass cheeks gleaming in the strobe lights.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "act of foolishness", ensure the context clearly identifies the specific action being described to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

While "act of foolishness" is acceptable, consider more precise or formal language in professional or academic writing, such as "imprudent decision" or "error in judgment".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "act of foolishness" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject complement or object of a sentence. It describes a specific action characterized by a lack of wisdom or good judgment. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Formal & Business

10%

Science

5%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "act of foolishness" is a grammatically sound and usable expression, as confirmed by Ludwig AI, used to describe an action marked by a lack of wisdom or good judgment. While relatively uncommon, it appears most frequently in news and media contexts. When writing, consider the specific context and audience, as more formal alternatives may be suitable for academic or professional settings. By understanding its nuances and considering alternatives, writers can effectively convey their intended meaning with precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

foolish action

Replaces the noun "foolishness" with its adjectival form modifying "action".

unwise move

Simplifies the phrase by focusing on the lack of wisdom in the action.

imprudent act

Substitutes "foolishness" with "imprudent", indicating a lack of foresight or caution.

ill-advised action

Uses a more formal tone to convey the unwise nature of the action.

rash decision

Replaces the phrase with a focus on the decision-making aspect being hasty and ill-considered.

error in judgment

Highlights the flawed decision-making process leading to the action.

piece of folly

Employs the word "folly" which is a synonym for foolishness, often implying a more significant error.

moment of madness

Suggests the action was impulsive and irrational, deviating from normal behavior.

blunder

Uses a single word to describe a significant and often embarrassing mistake.

indiscretion

Suggests the action was inappropriate or lacked tact, rather than purely foolish.

FAQs

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

You can use "act of foolishness" to describe a specific action that is considered unwise. For example, "Investing all his money in that scheme was an act of foolishness."

What are some alternatives to "act of foolishness"?

Alternatives include "foolish action", "imprudent act", or "rash decision", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "act of foolishness" formal or informal?

The phrase "act of foolishness" is generally considered neutral in formality, suitable for both news and general contexts. More formal alternatives like "error in judgment" may be preferred in academic or professional settings.

What's the difference between "act of foolishness" and "foolish mistake"?

While similar, "act of foolishness" emphasizes the deliberate nature of the action, whereas "foolish mistake" might imply a less intentional error. The phrase "foolish action" is also a good alternative.