designed to be funny

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "designed to be funny" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing something, such as a joke, a comedy show, or a humorous piece of writing, that has been intentionally created to provoke laughter or amusement. Example: "The cartoon was cleverly designed to be funny, appealing to both children and adults alike."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Apart from StatsMonkey, which is focused on data-intensive information, the lab also programmed a system that automatically generates a virtual show designed to be funny, focusing on light news like celebrity gossip or movie reviews.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Of course, these are designed to be fun rather than funny, but get a group of friends together and play silly competitive games against each other and see if you don't start rolling around with laughter.

Vice

So before our next production, I sought advice from Frank Chindamo, a filmmaker whose specialty is funny short videos designed to be viewed online or on mobile phones.

The New York Times

Has to be funny.

The New York Times

People expect her to be funny, and yet she is sometimes criticized for being too funny, or just funny.

The New Yorker

I'm not trying to be funny.

The New York Times - Magazine

The postures were meant to be funny.

The New York Times

Was he trying to be funny?

The New Yorker

"It's not going to be funny".

The New Yorker

Some shows are edited to be funny but ours is funny on the page.

The New York Times

I'm just going to be funny".

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing entertainment, like TV shows or movies, use "designed to be funny" to emphasize the intentional creation of humor.

Common error

While "designed to be funny" is acceptable, avoid overuse. Vary your language by using alternatives like "intended to be humorous" or "meant to be comical" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "designed to be funny" functions as an adjectival phrase modifying a noun. It describes something that has been intentionally created or structured to evoke laughter or amusement. As Ludwig AI explains, it describes something intentionally created to provoke amusement.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

30%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "designed to be funny" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to describe content intentionally created to elicit laughter or amusement. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. While versatile, varying your word choice with alternatives like "intended to be humorous" can enhance your writing. It appears most frequently in news and media, as well as general contexts, maintaining a neutral register suitable for broad audiences. Remember to use it when you want to emphasize the intention behind the humor.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

intended to be humorous

Focuses on the intention behind the humor.

meant to be comical

Highlights the intent for something to be funny or amusing.

created for comedic effect

Emphasizes the creation aspect with a focus on the result of humor.

aimed at being amusing

Indicates the goal of providing amusement.

set up to elicit laughter

Focuses on the arrangement to produce laughter.

structured for humor

Highlights the organization and form to create humor.

engineered to provoke amusement

Emphasizes a calculated approach to creating amusement.

conceived as a joke

Highlights the origin of the expression as humorous material.

fashioned to generate laughs

Indicates the creation with the specific goal of producing laughter.

crafted to tickle the funny bone

Emphasizes careful crafting with the aim to elicit a humorous response.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "designed to be funny"?

Consider alternatives such as "intended to be humorous", "meant to be comical", or "created for comedic effect" to add variety to your writing.

What does it mean when something is "designed to be funny"?

It means that the creator intentionally crafted the content, such as a joke, scene, or story, with the purpose of eliciting laughter or amusement from the audience.

Is "designed to be funny" formal or informal?

The phrase "designed to be funny" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, though it's more common in descriptive or analytical writing rather than highly formal academic papers.

Can "designed to be funny" apply to unintended humor?

No, the phrase "designed to be funny" implies intentionality. If something is unintentionally humorous, it's more accurate to describe it as "accidentally funny" or "unintentionally humorous".