be foolish not to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be foolish not to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express that it would be unwise or imprudent to not take a certain action or make a specific decision. Example: "If you have the opportunity to invest in this promising startup, it would be foolish not to."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

They'd be foolish not to.

The New York Times - Health

She would be foolish not to.

The New York Times

"We'd be foolish not to.

The New York Times

I'd be foolish not to".

The Guardian - Sport

"It would be foolish not to".

The New York Times

It would be foolish not to party".

The New York Times - Magazine

And he said he would be foolish not to.

The New York Times

"It would be foolish not to recognize that.

The New York Times

"It'd be foolish not to support both Apple and Android".

The New York Times - Tech

They will be foolish not to," said Papworth.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

The approach is one that businesses large and small would be foolish not to explore.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "be foolish not to" to strongly advise a course of action when ignoring it would likely lead to negative consequences. For example, "Given the current market trends, it would "be foolish not to" invest in renewable energy."

Common error

While effective, the phrase "be foolish not to" can lose its impact if used too frequently. Vary your language by using alternatives like "it would be unwise to ignore" or "it's highly advisable to" to maintain a more engaging and nuanced tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be foolish not to" functions as a recommendation or strong suggestion. It serves to advise a course of action by highlighting the potential negative consequences of not following it. As Ludwig AI points out, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "be foolish not to" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression to strongly recommend a particular action, implying negative consequences if ignored. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's acceptable across diverse media, from News & Media to Scientific publications. While generally neutral in tone, it may benefit from slightly more formal alternatives in certain professional contexts. To avoid overuse, consider using synonyms like "be unwise not to" or "be imprudent to disregard" to maintain a varied writing style.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be a mistake to neglect

Frames the inaction as a "mistake", directly indicating the negative consequence of not acting.

be unwise to ignore

Replaces "foolish" with "unwise" and rephrases the negation to focus on ignoring, implying a similar lack of prudence.

it's highly advisable to

Highlights the recommended course of action

be imprudent to disregard

Uses more formal vocabulary ("imprudent", "disregard") to express a similar concept of neglecting something important.

it's imperative that

Expresses the sense of urgency by stating that a course of action is crucial

be shortsighted to overlook

Emphasizes the lack of foresight in neglecting something, suggesting a similar degree of error.

one cannot afford to

Expresses the idea that someone must imperatively consider the advice

it would behoove one to

Uses a more formal and somewhat archaic construction to suggest that an action is in someone's best interest.

it would be against your own interest to

Expresses the need to avoid an action for self-preservation reasons

one should certainly

Offers a stronger recommendation emphasizing the importance of considering the advice

FAQs

How can I use "be foolish not to" in a sentence?

Use "be foolish not to" to express that rejecting a particular action or decision would be unwise. For example, "With interest rates so low, it would "be foolish not to" refinance your mortgage."

What are some alternatives to "be foolish not to"?

You can use alternatives like "be unwise not to", "be imprudent to disregard", or "be shortsighted to overlook" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "be foolish not to" too informal for professional writing?

While generally acceptable, "be foolish not to" can sometimes be perceived as slightly informal. For professional contexts, consider using more formal alternatives like "it would be imprudent to disregard" or "it is highly advisable to consider".

What's the difference between "be foolish not to" and "should"?

"Should" offers a suggestion, whereas "be foolish not to" implies a stronger recommendation, suggesting negative consequences will follow from ignoring it. For example, "You should save for retirement" vs. "You would "be foolish not to" save for retirement".