an insane thing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an insane thing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is extremely irrational, absurd, or outrageous. Example: "It was an insane thing to think that we could finish the project in just one day."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

But it was an insane thing to wish for.

The Guardian - Music

Notoriously, for instance, he wanted to make his favorite horse, Incitatus, a consul — on the face of it, an insane thing to do.

The New Yorker

Otherwise, what am I doing?" And in a remark that perhaps summed things up more succinctly: "It's an insane thing to do, to go back".

The Guardian - Music

This is, of course, an insane thing to suggest — that solitude is a condition merely to be endured and vanquished — yet there's something optimistic, almost pure, about the way Spears approaches sex as an antidote to boredom or heartache.

The New Yorker

"It's an insane thing to try and do," he said.

Huffington Post

This is an insane thing for another human being to be able to do.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

(a) Todd Akin said a preternaturally insane thing about rape that revealed an obtuseness rarely demonstrated even by the worst of our public servants a statement so … so … so just wrong on every level that it threatened to put the Republican Party's Neanderthal positions on women's issues front and center between now and Election Day.

The New Yorker

This is not some largely innocuous person saying an offhand insane thing (e.g., Jesse Eisenberg comparing Comic-Con to genocide).

Huffington Post

But instead of doing this, the media wants to honor "the other side of the debt ceiling debate" even though that is an objectively insane thing to want to honor.

Huffington Post

Why would a man in his 60s with two small children, who has been gored by those very same bulls three times, who had his ribs and his arm broken and his hip replaced as the result of a goring, be doing such a seemingly insane thing?

The New York Times

Greg Casady, a 61-year-old Army veteran from Iowa, says: "It's time for us to do a totally insane thing... because nothing else is working".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "an insane thing", consider the context to ensure the severity of the adjective matches the situation. It's most impactful when describing truly outlandish or irrational ideas and actions.

Common error

Avoid using "an insane thing" to describe mildly surprising or unusual events. Reserve it for situations that are truly extreme or defy logic, maintaining its strong and impactful meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an insane thing" functions primarily as a noun phrase that acts as a subject complement or direct object, describing something regarded as extremely irrational, absurd, or outrageous. Ludwig shows examples where it highlights the speaker's disbelief or strong disapproval.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

13%

Science

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an insane thing" is a common phrase used to describe something considered extremely irrational or absurd. Ludwig AI indicates that it's grammatically correct and commonly found in news and media sources. While generally acceptable, consider the context and your audience when using it, as it leans toward a slightly informal tone. Alternatives like "a crazy idea" or "an absurd notion" can provide similar meanings with varying degrees of intensity. Use it to express disbelief or strong disapproval when something truly defies logic.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a crazy idea

Focuses on the lack of reason or sense behind a thought.

an absurd notion

Emphasizes the ridiculous and illogical nature of a concept.

a ludicrous concept

Highlights the laughable and foolish aspect of an idea.

a preposterous suggestion

Indicates the outrageous and unbelievable nature of a proposal.

a nonsensical proposition

Stresses the lack of logical coherence in a statement.

a wild fantasy

Suggests an unrealistic and improbable scenario.

an irrational thought

Points out the absence of reason or logic in thinking.

a senseless act

Highlights the lack of purpose or meaning in an action.

a bizarre undertaking

Emphasizes the strange and unusual nature of an endeavor.

a crackpot scheme

Implies a foolish and impractical plan.

FAQs

How can I use "an insane thing" in a sentence?

You can use "an insane thing" to describe something that is extremely irrational, absurd, or outrageous. For example, "It was "an insane thing" to believe he could win the race after not training for months."

What's the difference between "an insane thing" and "a crazy idea"?

"An insane thing" often implies a higher degree of irrationality or recklessness than "a crazy idea". While both suggest something is not sensible, "an insane thing" can also indicate dangerous or harmful potential consequences.

What are some alternatives to saying "an insane thing"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "an absurd notion", "a ludicrous concept", or "a preposterous suggestion".

Is it appropriate to use "an insane thing" in formal writing?

While generally acceptable, "an insane thing" leans towards informal language. In formal writing, consider stronger but more professional synonyms like "an irrational decision" or "an unjustifiable action".