borderline nonsensical

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "borderline nonsensical" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used to describe something that is almost nonsensical but not quite, or something that is on the verge of being nonsensical. Example 1: His explanation was borderline nonsensical, filled with convoluted logic and confusing statements. Example 2: The plot of the movie was borderline nonsensical, with too many plot holes and inconsistencies. Example 3: The politician's speech was borderline nonsensical, trying to appeal to both sides of the political spectrum without making any coherent points.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

This would be a fascinating paper in The New England Journal of Medicine, but it makes a supremely irritating -- and borderline nonsensical -- premise for a movie.

The New York Times

And they are doing so in the kind of spitfire dialogue that is intended to sound pithy and muscular, though upon closer inspection it is — like the speech of politicians — often clichéd and borderline nonsensical.

The New York Times - Arts

It's Age of Ultron itself – not the grand scale or the special effects, not the obvious pre-sold elements, but the movie, which is a shoddy, abysmally scripted, borderline nonsensical piece of storytelling.

BBC

Similarly, the visuals pile one on top of another in popping candy colors, from succulent pictures of chow mein to borderline nonsensical advertising cartoons.

Huffington Post

This should not come as a surprise to his admirers; his last feature was the bafflingly complicated and borderline nonsensical postmodern noir adaptation Inherent Vice, and it followed The Master, a film that steams along for two-plus hours like a pressure cooker that's about to explode, yet never grants its audience (nor its characters) that release.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

(Anderson) Melt-Banana (Saturday) The borderline-nonsensical noisists of this Japanese punk band gnash their guitar strings and howl with impunity through two-minute songs.

The New York Times - Arts

_____ Song: "Cadillac Ranch" Album: "The River" State of the race: Northwestern Texas favors Mr. Trump "Cadillac Ranch" is a carefree, borderline-nonsensical salute to one of Mr. Springsteen's favorite themes: the joys of a good, shiny sedan.

The New York Times

"It's borderline ridiculous.

The Guardian - Sport

Nonsensical, borderline disturbing details that I just made up.

The Guardian - Opinion

The Mirror brands Horns a "dreary low-budget affair" that is "less spine chilling and more eyebrow drooping" while the New York Observer's harsh critique calls it "laughably nonsensical", "borderline unwatchable" and pronounces Ig as Radcliffe's "worst role yet".

Independent

Onto the nonsensical.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "borderline nonsensical", ensure the context clearly establishes that the subject is not completely without sense but is close to being so. Avoid using it for things that are obviously and completely nonsensical.

Common error

Avoid using "borderline nonsensical" when the situation is entirely absurd. This phrase implies a proximity to being illogical but not complete incoherence. For situations that are completely irrational, use terms like "completely nonsensical" or "utterly ridiculous" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "borderline nonsensical" primarily functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun. It suggests that the modified noun is approaching a state of being nonsensical, but has not fully reached that point. As shown in Ludwig, it is used in various contexts to describe movies, speeches, or arguments.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "borderline nonsensical" is a grammatically correct and relatively uncommon adjective phrase used to describe something approaching a state of being illogical or incomprehensible. As confirmed by Ludwig, it's primarily found in news and media contexts and carries a neutral tone, indicating mild disapproval or critical assessment. The phrase should be used when the subject is nearing absurdity, not when it's completely irrational, and is best applied when the illogical nature isn't blatant.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

borderline irrational

Directly replaces "nonsensical" with a synonym implying flawed reasoning.

on the edge of irrationality

Suggests a position close to lacking reason or sound judgment.

almost absurd

Indicates a slightly weaker degree of irrationality compared to the original phrase.

almost incomprehensible

Emphasizes the difficulty in understanding rather than the lack of logic.

nearly illogical

Highlights the lack of logical reasoning, offering a more formal tone.

nearing absurdity

Highlights the proximity to being ridiculous or extremely silly.

verging on meaningless

Focuses on the lack of significance or purpose, rather than the logical inconsistencies.

approaching senselessness

Emphasizes the progression towards a state of being without reason or understanding.

tantamount to nonsense

Indicates that the subject is essentially the same as nonsense, with a slightly stronger connotation.

akin to gibberish

Draws a comparison to unintelligible speech, intensifying the level of incomprehensibility.

FAQs

How can I use "borderline nonsensical" in a sentence?

You can use "borderline nonsensical" to describe arguments, ideas, or statements that are almost, but not quite, completely illogical or incomprehensible. For example: "The plot of the movie was so convoluted it became borderline nonsensical."

What's the difference between "borderline nonsensical" and "completely absurd"?

"Borderline nonsensical" suggests something is nearing a state of being illogical or making no sense, while "completely absurd" indicates something is entirely unreasonable, illogical, or inappropriate.

What are some synonyms for "borderline nonsensical"?

Some synonyms for "borderline nonsensical" include "almost absurd", "nearly illogical", or "verging on meaningless". These alternatives capture the idea of something being close to irrational or incomprehensible.

Is "borderline nonsensical" a formal or informal expression?

"Borderline nonsensical" is a neutral expression suitable for both formal and informal contexts. While not overly technical, it effectively conveys a sense of near absurdity or lack of coherence, making it appropriate for use in a variety of writing styles.