affront to common sense

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "affront to common sense" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an action, statement, or situation that is perceived as unreasonable or illogical. Example: "The proposal to cut funding for education is an affront to common sense, as it undermines the future of our children."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

But it would unquestionably violate the tougher, and better, House rules, and it is an affront to common sense.

The New York Times

He has previously branded Burrell's £50,000 claim for breach of confidence and misuse of private information as an "affront to common sense".

The Guardian

But to suture so clumsily a transparent agenda to a film whose facts do not support it is an affront to common sense.

The New York Times

Clifford, who is serving a sentence for sex offences, had branded Burrell's £50,000 action for breach of confidence and misuse of private information an "affront to common sense".

The Guardian

"It would be an affront to common sense to say that we are not entitled to an acquittal.

Vice

In the latest affront to common sense and the notion of public safety, an amendment proposed by Senator John Thune of South Dakota and attached to a Defense Department appropriations bill was defeated last week by the thinnest of margins.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Recognizing birds as dinosaurs, or linking lungfish to cows — recent insights that Yoon sees as affronts to common sense — can attune us to the relationship of organism and environment in a changing world.

The New York Times - Books

As if it has not already been amply demonstrated that Mitt Romney is capable and willing to take all sides of every issue, the latest affront to common decency, common sense, and community comes in the form of his spin around on the issue of disaster relief.

Huffington Post

It's not just an affront to common sense it's a recipe for disaster.

MIT Technology Review

Their ghettoes are an affront to common decency.

The Economist

"It clings to the subconscious like spit to a prisoner's cheek, an affront to common decency," he wrote of the novel.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "affront to common sense" when you want to express strong disapproval of a decision or idea that seems illogical or unreasonable to the average person. It's effective in persuasive writing or arguments where you want to rally others against something.

Common error

Avoid using "affront to common sense" for minor disagreements or subjective preferences. It's best reserved for situations where the illogicality is clear and widely recognized, not merely a matter of personal opinion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "affront to common sense" functions as a noun phrase that typically acts as a subject complement or object. It expresses a strong negative judgment about something perceived as illogical, unreasonable, or insulting to one's intelligence. This aligns with Ludwig AI's assessment of the phrase as correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

71%

Wiki

14%

Formal & Business

14%

Less common in

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "affront to common sense" is a grammatically sound noun phrase used to express strong disapproval of something perceived as illogical or unreasonable. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. While not exceedingly common, it frequently appears in News & Media contexts. When writing, it's best employed to critique clearly illogical situations and avoid overuse in subjective disagreements. Related phrases include "insult to reason" and "outrage to logic". While mostly neutral, you should be mindful of your tone so as to not sound overly critical.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an affront to good sense

Uses "good sense" instead of "common sense", slightly softening the expression.

insult to reason

Focuses on the logical flaw rather than the defiance of good judgment.

outrage to logic

Highlights the extreme violation of logical principles.

defies all reason

Emphasizes the impossibility of justifying something with logic.

flies in the face of reason

Implies a direct contradiction of logical thinking.

a slap in the face of logic

Uses a metaphor to describe the disrespect toward logical thought.

contrary to sound judgment

Focuses on the lack of good decision-making skills.

an insult to intelligence

Highlights the demeaning nature of the action to one's intellect.

lacks any semblance of logic

Emphasizes the complete absence of logical thinking.

is utterly illogical

A more direct statement that something doesn't follow logic.

FAQs

How can I use "affront to common sense" in a sentence?

You can use "affront to common sense" to describe actions or decisions that seem illogical or unreasonable. For example, "The proposal to reduce funding for public libraries is an "affront to common sense"."

What are some alternatives to "affront to common sense"?

Some alternatives include "insult to reason", "outrage to logic", or "contrary to sound judgment". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "affront to common sense" in formal writing?

While "affront to common sense" is generally acceptable, consider the tone of your writing. In some formal contexts, a more neutral phrase like "illogical" or "unreasonable" might be more suitable.

What's the difference between "affront to common sense" and "contrary to common sense"?

"Affront to common sense" implies a stronger sense of outrage or indignation compared to "contrary to common sense". The latter simply indicates a disagreement or deviation from what is considered logical.