bouts of madness

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "bouts of madness" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe episodes or periods of irrational behavior or mental instability. Example: "During his life, he experienced several bouts of madness that left him questioning his reality."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

"That past is one of remarkable achievements interrupted, and even fuelled, by periodic bouts of madness".

The Guardian - Books

Mr. Gilfry's bouts of madness wind up seeming like pouts of temper.

The New York Times - Arts

And while Paul survived the loss of his arm during the war with remarkable fortitude, he would later sustain bouts of madness and depression.

The New York Times - Books

It was very much in keeping with the Bolshoi's patchwork past where remarkable achievements are "interrupted and even fuelled by periodic bouts of madness".

The Guardian - Books

Born into Russian nobility, he went into the army then spent his increasingly dissolute life as a government clerk, suffering alcohol-induced epilepsy, bouts of madness and destitution.

The Guardian - Music

He's challenged by the more enlightened newcomer, Dr Maynard Phil Cheadlee), who argues that you have to distinguish between the congenitally insane and people with temporary bouts of madness, caused by stress, who can respond to sensitive care.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

In the latest complex-induced bout of madness, I decided to sit a Mensa supervised IQ test.

The Guardian - Opinion

Charles Connaghan's new translation of "Ajax," the story of a warrior recovering from a bout of madness, will have its premiere in February.

The New York Times

Gripped by a bout of madness, they overpaid for firms at the top of the economic cycle and loaded them with too much debt.

The Economist

She was less than six months past a bout of madness or depression that had led to a suicide attempt, and was still being tended or guarded by nurses.

The New Yorker

With the king's first bout of madness the facts needed scarcely any alteration to make them dramatic and only a little tweaking was required, but even that I found hard to do.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing historical figures or events, use "bouts of madness" to denote periods of mental instability that influenced their actions or decisions.

Common error

Be mindful of the context. Using "bouts of madness" for minor eccentricities can trivialize genuine mental health issues. Reserve this phrase for instances of significant mental disturbance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "bouts of madness" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or preposition. It describes recurring periods or episodes of mental instability or irrational behavior. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is used correctly in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Wiki

26%

Encyclopedias

9%

Less common in

Science

6%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "bouts of madness" is a noun phrase used to describe recurring periods of mental instability or irrational behavior. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in written English. It is commonly found in news, encyclopedias, and wiki sources, as well as literary texts, serving to characterize individuals or situations marked by mental disturbances. Related phrases include "episodes of insanity" and "periods of lunacy". When using the phrase, be mindful of the context and avoid exaggerating the severity of the described condition.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

episodes of insanity

Replaces 'bouts' with 'episodes' and 'madness' with 'insanity', emphasizing the occurrence of mental derangement.

periods of lunacy

Substitutes 'bouts' with 'periods' and 'madness' with 'lunacy', indicating a longer duration of irrational behavior.

fits of derangement

Replaces 'bouts' with 'fits' and 'madness' with 'derangement', highlighting sudden and uncontrollable mental disturbance.

moments of mental instability

Replaces 'bouts of madness' with more clinical language, focusing on the instability of the mental state.

times of irrationality

Shifts the focus to irrational behavior rather than mental illness, using 'times' instead of 'bouts'.

waves of mania

Replaces 'madness' with 'mania', specifying a state of elevated mood and energy, and 'bouts' with 'waves'.

outbursts of insanity

Focuses on the sudden and uncontrolled nature of the mental disturbance, using 'outbursts'.

spells of mental imbalance

Substitutes 'bouts' with 'spells' and uses a more general term 'mental imbalance' instead of 'madness'.

phases of psychological distress

Uses formal and clinical terminology to describe temporary mental health problems.

cycles of mental disturbance

Indicates recurring patterns of mental issues over a period of time, using the term 'cycles'.

FAQs

What are some alternatives to saying "bouts of madness"?

You can use alternatives like "episodes of insanity", "periods of lunacy", or "fits of derangement depending on the specific context and the desired level of formality".

How is "bouts of madness" typically used in a sentence?

"Bouts of madness" is used to describe recurring periods of mental instability or irrational behavior. For instance, "The king suffered from frequent bouts of madness that affected his ability to rule".

Is "bouts of madness" a formal or informal expression?

The phrase "bouts of madness" is relatively neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, though more clinical or technical language might be preferred in some professional or academic settings.

What's the difference between "bouts of madness" and "a moment of madness"?

"Bouts of madness" refers to recurring or extended periods of mental instability, while "a moment of madness" describes a single, isolated instance of irrational behavior or poor judgment.