borderline ridiculous

USAGE SUMMARY

'borderline ridiculous' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when something is close to being ridiculous, but not quite. For example, "The plan was a little bit too ambitious - it was borderline ridiculous!".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

"It's borderline ridiculous.

The Guardian - Sport

"That pin was borderline ridiculous," Stewart said afterward.

The New York Times - Sports

The words were getting knotty and, on occasion, borderline ridiculous.

The New York Times - Arts

The Glee fanbase is home to a borderline ridiculous amount of devotion.

Independent

It's a doozy of a story and so borderline ridiculous that it sounds — ta-da!

The New York Times

Of course, relative to reality most of what Cameron said was borderline ridiculous.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

When something as incoherent and borderline-ridiculous as The Grudge - a "Where's Wally" for the J-horror set - is hailed as a breakthrough, it's pretty clear we're in trouble.

The Guardian - Film

"But some of these things that happen and that have been happening, you know, it's borderline on ridiculous, to be completely honest".

The New York Times

They're fascinatingly wackadoo figures, larger-than-life, often borderline sociopathic individuals who are capable of enormous, ridiculous crimes.

The New Yorker

"Borderline cocky.

The New York Times - Sports

Borderline unwatchable.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "borderline ridiculous" to describe situations or ideas that are close to being absurd but still within the realm of possibility or acceptability. It adds nuance by suggesting a near-over-the-top quality without fully crossing the line.

Common error

Avoid using "borderline ridiculous" too frequently in your writing. While it can be effective, overuse can diminish its impact and make your writing seem repetitive. Vary your descriptive language to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "borderline ridiculous" functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun to describe something that is nearly absurd or unreasonable. Ludwig's examples show it qualifying various nouns, highlighting a situation's proximity to being completely nonsensical.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

95%

Formal & Business

3%

Science

2%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "borderline ridiculous" is a grammatically correct and commonly used adjectival phrase that describes something approaching absurdity. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is suitable for various contexts, particularly in news and media. While there are several alternatives, such as "borderline absurd" or "almost laughable", the phrase effectively conveys a sense of near-unreasonableness. While versatile, it's wise to avoid overuse to maintain writing impact. Ultimately, "borderline ridiculous" is a useful tool for expressing skepticism or amusement without resorting to outright dismissal.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

borderline absurd

Substitutes "ridiculous" with "absurd", emphasizing the irrationality or unreasonableness of the situation.

borderline farcical

Replaces "ridiculous" with "farcical", implying a slightly more theatrical or comical absurdity.

borderline preposterous

Substitutes "ridiculous" with "preposterous", suggesting an even stronger sense of outrageousness or absurdity.

borderline nonsensical

Replaces "ridiculous" with "nonsensical", highlighting the lack of logic or coherence.

fringe ridiculous

Replace "borderline" with "fringe", meaning the same thing

limit ridiculous

Replace "borderline" with "limit", meaning the same thing

borderline pointless

Shifts the focus from absurdity to futility, implying the situation is almost without purpose or reason.

borderline foolish

Replaces "ridiculous" with "foolish", suggesting a lack of wisdom or judgment.

borderline stupid

Substitutes "ridiculous" with "stupid", indicating a lack of intelligence or good sense.

borderline insane

Replaces "ridiculous" with "insane", implying a significant departure from normal or rational behavior.

FAQs

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

You can use "borderline ridiculous" to describe something that is close to being absurd or unreasonable. For example, "His claim that he could finish the project in a day was "borderline ridiculous"."

What are some alternatives to "borderline ridiculous"?

Some alternatives to "borderline ridiculous" include "borderline absurd", "borderline preposterous", or "almost laughable". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is "borderline ridiculous" a formal or informal expression?

"Borderline ridiculous" is generally considered a neutral expression suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, in highly formal or academic writing, you might consider more precise or nuanced alternatives.

What does "borderline ridiculous" imply about something?

"Borderline ridiculous" implies that something is approaching the point of being absurd or unreasonable but hasn't quite crossed that line. It suggests a situation is questionable or slightly over the top without being completely unbelievable.