equally unwise

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "equally unwise" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe two or more actions or decisions that are similarly foolish or imprudent. Example: "Choosing to invest in that failing company is equally unwise as betting all your savings on a lottery ticket."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Books

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

She did this at 17, dropping out of high school, a decision that would set the precedent for many equally unwise choices.

The New York Times - Books

His quip about potentially needing a bullet-proof vest prior to visiting the devastated town was equally unwise.When he finally met the local media in Lac-Mégantic, Mr Burkhardt did not have a translator and conducted the press conference in English, a faux pas in the French-speaking province of Quebec.Good corporate leaders are expected to delegate.

The Economist

It's equally unwise to have total confidence in the strength of one's security and especially one's security devices.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

As well as unwise.

The New York Times - Books

An unwise decision, as things turn out.

BBC

Equally important, history suggests it would be unwise for the Supreme Court to impose a uniform solution on the nation now.

The New York Times

Ignoring this wealth of knowledge would be unwise and even dangerous, but it could prove equally dangerous to blindly follow it.

Huffington Post

While Mr. Blue and Ms. Pieke plan on sharing parenting responsibility for Indigo equally, they never drafted any kind of legal agreement, which they both agree was unwise.

The New York Times

Economists would be unwise to exclude Big Macs from their diet, but Super Size servings would equally be a mistake.

The Economist

Already a heavy drinker, he specialised in dressing up in vaguely eastern robes and flaunting his equally flowing red hair - this at a time when to risk appearing either too Jewish or too effeminate was considered unwise even at the most advanced of art world parties, and to be both at the same time, unheard-of.

The Guardian - Arts

But it is equally easy and unwise to think that rapid and trouble-free growth in the emerging economies is assured for years to come.It seems almost churlish to question the outlook for emerging markets after the great strides they have made.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "equally unwise", ensure that the two actions or decisions being compared are clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. For example, "Investing in both companies is "equally unwise" because both are deeply in debt."

Common error

Avoid using "equally unwise" when comparing more than two options without clearly establishing a pairwise comparison. Overextending the comparison can dilute the meaning. For example, instead of saying "Investing in Company A, B, and C is "equally unwise", break it down: "Investing in Company A and B is "equally unwise", and investing in Company C is also "equally unwise"."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "equally unwise" functions as an evaluative descriptor, indicating that two or more actions or decisions share a similar degree of imprudence or lack of good judgment. It often serves to discourage or critique choices, as exemplified in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Books

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "equally unwise" is a grammatically sound and expressively neutral way to describe actions or decisions that share a similar degree of poor judgment. Ludwig AI validates its correctness and usability. While relatively rare in frequency, it's primarily found in news and media, as well as books, where it serves to express disapproval or caution. When using this phrase, clarity in the comparison is essential to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives such as ""just as imprudent"" or "similarly ill-advised" can provide nuanced variations to convey the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

just as imprudent

Replaces "unwise" with "imprudent", emphasizing a lack of foresight.

similarly ill-advised

Substitutes "unwise" with "ill-advised", focusing on the poor judgment involved.

as foolish

A shorter and more direct way of saying something is similarly unwise.

equally imprudent

Uses the word "imprudent" instead of "unwise" to mean lacking good judgment.

just as injudicious

Replaces "unwise" with "injudicious", highlighting a lack of wisdom or good judgment.

comparably unwise

Uses "comparably" to indicate a similar level of unwisdom.

of similar folly

Shifts the focus to the "folly" or foolishness of the action.

similarly a mistake

Indicates that the action is equally erroneous or misguided.

no wiser

A more concise way of saying something is not a better choice.

parallel in its lack of wisdom

More verbose and emphasizes the absence of wisdom in a parallel manner.

FAQs

How can I use "equally unwise" in a sentence?

You can use "equally unwise" to compare two actions or decisions, highlighting that they are similarly foolish or imprudent. For example, "Choosing to ignore expert advice is "just as imprudent" as making decisions based on incomplete information".

What are some alternatives to saying "equally unwise"?

Alternatives include "similarly ill-advised", "just as foolish", or "equally imprudent". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "equally unwise"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. "Equally" is an adverb modifying the adjective "unwise", indicating a similar degree of unwisdom. Ludwig AI confirms this.

What's the difference between "equally unwise" and "similarly unwise"?

While both phrases are very similar, "equally unwise" suggests a direct comparison where the two actions are on par in their unwisdom. "Similarly unwise" simply indicates that they share a comparable level of unwisdom without necessarily implying they are exactly the same.