does not make sense

USAGE SUMMARY

"does not make sense" is a valid and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to express that something is unclear or illogical. For example: "His explanation of the law does not make sense."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

it does not make sense are undefined.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

"The whole thing does not make sense.

The New York Times

So squeezing them too hard does not make sense.

The Economist

The Orioles' resurgence does not make sense on paper.

The New York Times - Sports

Help! – Laveta Kucholtz This does not make sense.

The New York Times

"That does not make sense to people in Pakistan".

The New York Times

As it stands, this does not make sense.

Independent

It does not make sense to continue this dangerous reliance.

The New York Times

That does not make sense for us or them though.

The Guardian

Another part of our strategy, however, does not make sense.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

This doesn't make sense".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "does not make sense" when you want to express that something is illogical, contradictory, or difficult to understand. It's suitable for both formal and informal contexts, as Ludwig AI confirms.

Common error

Avoid using "does not make sense" in situations where a more nuanced critique is needed. Instead of simply stating a lack of sense, provide specific reasons for your confusion or disagreement to enhance clarity and constructive feedback.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "does not make sense" functions as a negative declarative statement, expressing a lack of comprehension or logical coherence. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's a valid and usable phrase in written English. The phrase indicates that something is unclear, illogical, or contradictory.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Science

22%

Academia

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "does not make sense" is a common and versatile expression used to convey a lack of understanding, logic, or coherence. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability across various contexts. As shown by the many examples on Ludwig, it appears most frequently in news and media, science, and academic writing. When using this phrase, ensure it aligns with the intended level of formality and provides sufficient context for your audience to understand the reason for your confusion or disagreement. Consider alternatives like "is illogical" or "is incomprehensible" for specific nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is illogical

This alternative focuses on the lack of logical reasoning behind something.

is incomprehensible

This alternative emphasizes the difficulty or impossibility of understanding something.

is nonsensical

This alternative highlights the lack of sense or meaning in something.

is absurd

This alternative suggests that something is ridiculous and unreasonable.

is beyond reason

This alternative implies that something cannot be explained or understood using logic.

is puzzling

This alternative indicates that something is confusing and difficult to understand.

is baffling

Similar to "puzzling", this alternative emphasizes the perplexing nature of something.

is without rhyme or reason

This alternative highlights the complete absence of logic or explanation.

is a mystery

This alternative suggests that something is unknown and difficult to solve or understand.

defies explanation

This alternative indicates that something is impossible to explain or account for.

FAQs

How can I use "does not make sense" in a sentence?

You can use "does not make sense" to express a lack of understanding or logic. For example, "His explanation of the economic policy "does not make sense"." or "The instructions for assembling the furniture "does not make sense" to me."

What are some alternatives to "does not make sense"?

Alternatives include phrases like "is illogical", "is incomprehensible", "is nonsensical", or "defies explanation", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct: "does not make sense" or "don't make sense"?

"Does not make sense" is grammatically correct when referring to a singular subject. "Don't make sense" is a contraction of "do not make sense" and is used with plural subjects or the pronoun "I" or "you". For example, "The rules "do not make sense" to me."

What's the difference between "does not make sense" and "is not logical"?

"Does not make sense" is a more general expression of confusion or lack of understanding, while "is not logical" specifically points to a flaw in reasoning or argumentation. Something that ""does not make sense"" may simply be confusing, whereas something that "is not logical" contains a specific error in its logical structure.