fundamentally foolish

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "fundamentally foolish" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an idea, action, or belief that is inherently unwise or lacking in sound judgment. Example: "Investing all your savings in a single venture without proper research is fundamentally foolish."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Both sides have made fundamentally foolish moves in recent weeks, yet each side has consistently been rescued from its mistakes by the errors of the other.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Nothing like the hard-edged cockney stereotype, Flanagan comes across onstage as a fundamentally nice, amiably foolish man: always optimistic, usually ultimately disappointed, and never quite enjoying a comprehensive grasp of the necessary facts.

The Guardian

"This idea that Madison could have an impact on the war and peace issues in the Middle East through a people-to-people program is fundamentally naïve and borders on being foolish," Mr. Morrison said.

The New York Times

I'm relieved, because it's fundamentally a signal that they're flawed and foolish, and not unbeatable.

The Guardian - Opinion

Foolish, foolish idea.

The New York Times

Still foolish.

Harvard University

Foolish is as foolish does.

The New York Times

Stay foolish".

The Guardian - Tech

Stay Foolish.

The Guardian - Tech

Foolish, perhaps.

The New York Times - Sports

Foolish; sad.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "fundamentally foolish", ensure that the context clearly demonstrates a deep or inherent flaw in reasoning or action. This phrase carries a strong sense of disapproval or critique.

Common error

Avoid using "fundamentally foolish" too frequently in your writing. Its strong connotation can become repetitive and diminish the impact. Vary your language with synonyms like "inherently unwise" or "utterly senseless" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fundamentally foolish" functions as a compound adjective, modifying a noun (often implied) to describe something as inherently or deeply unwise. Ludwig AI indicates that it’s a valid and usable construction in English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

20%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Science

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "fundamentally foolish" is a valid and usable phrase to describe something deeply unwise. According to Ludwig AI, it effectively communicates a strong sense of disapproval by emphasizing the inherent flaw in judgement of something. Although its usage is not very common, it appears in news and academic contexts, so its register can be considered neutral and the phrase has a professional tone. If you're seeking alternatives, consider "inherently unwise" or "essentially absurd" to achieve a similar effect.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

inherently unwise

Emphasizes the intrinsic lack of wisdom in the idea or action.

essentially absurd

Highlights the ridiculous or illogical nature of something.

patently ridiculous

Stresses the obviousness of the foolishness.

blatantly misguided

Focuses on the misdirection or poor guidance behind the action or belief.

thoroughly ill-advised

Points out the lack of good counsel or planning.

utterly senseless

Highlights the complete lack of reason or meaning.

profoundly short-sighted

Emphasizes the lack of long-term vision or consideration.

categorically wrongheaded

Highlights a fundamental error in thinking or understanding.

demonstrably flawed

Suggests that the foolishness can be proven or easily seen.

completely asinine

Uses a more informal term to describe something utterly foolish.

FAQs

How can I use "fundamentally foolish" in a sentence?

You can use "fundamentally foolish" to describe actions, ideas, or decisions that are deeply flawed or lacking in good judgment. For example, "Investing all your money in a single, unproven stock is a "fundamentally foolish" decision."

What are some alternatives to "fundamentally foolish"?

Alternatives include "inherently unwise", "essentially absurd", or "patently ridiculous". The best choice depends on the specific context and the degree of emphasis you want to convey.

Is "fundamentally foolish" a formal or informal phrase?

"Fundamentally foolish" is generally considered a neutral to slightly formal phrase. While it's not overly technical, it carries a stronger connotation than more casual terms like "silly" or "dumb". It's appropriate for both news and academic writing.

What makes something "fundamentally foolish" rather than just "foolish"?

The addition of "fundamentally" emphasizes that the foolishness is deep-rooted, inherent, or based on a flawed foundation. It implies that the problem isn't just a minor oversight, but a core flaw in the reasoning or approach. Something "fundamentally foolish" is misguided at its very core.