how ludicrous

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "how ludicrous" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express disbelief or ridicule towards a situation or statement that seems absurd or ridiculous. Example: "When I heard the proposal to cut funding for education, I couldn't help but think, how ludicrous!"

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

"How ludicrous.

The Guardian - Money

Silly me'....... How ludicrous is that?

Independent

Tuesday How ludicrous is Angolan bureau-cracy?

Independent

How ludicrous is that?" Point taken.

The New York Times

Judas is a reminder of how ludicrous pop can be.

The Guardian - Music

It's hard to articulate how ludicrous that decision was.

The Guardian - Sport

"We though with humor we could show how ludicrous the law is," Mr. Gordon said.

The New York Times

And yet, considering how ludicrous this plan seemed last October, it's difficult to argue the results.

The New Yorker

But no matter how ludicrous the plot twists, the series kept a straight face.

The New York Times - Arts

Stalin ordered the cartoon to illustrate how ludicrous he considered such an action.

The New York Times

This assumption has remained unshaken, no matter how ludicrous housing costs have become.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "how ludicrous" to express strong disagreement or disbelief, particularly when something defies logic or common sense. It's effective in both formal and informal contexts to convey a sense of absurdity.

Common error

While "how ludicrous" is widely accepted, be mindful of your audience. In highly formal academic or business writing, consider alternatives like "how absurd" or "the irrationality of" to maintain a more professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "how ludicrous" functions primarily as an exclamatory expression used to emphasize the speaker's disbelief or disapproval of a situation or statement. As Ludwig highlights, it serves to underscore the absurdity of something. Examples show its use in various contexts to convey strong disagreement.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "how ludicrous" is a versatile expression used to convey strong disbelief or ridicule towards something considered absurd. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage, particularly in News & Media contexts. While highly effective, consider the formality of your writing and audience, and opt for alternatives like "how absurd" in more formal settings. It functions as an exclamatory expression emphasizing the absurdity of a situation and is a common way to express negative evaluations. When used appropriately, this phrase effectively communicates a sense of disbelief and challenges illogical or unacceptable ideas.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

how absurd

Direct synonym, expressing the same level of ridiculousness or unreasonableness.

how ridiculous

Similar to "how ludicrous", but may imply a lighter, more comical form of absurdity.

how preposterous

Implies a higher degree of outrageousness or unbelievability.

how outrageous

Focuses on the shocking or offensive nature of the absurdity.

how nonsensical

Emphasizes the lack of logic or reason in the situation.

how farcical

Suggests that the situation is absurd to the point of being comical and resembling a farce.

how comical

Highlights the humorous aspect of the absurdity.

how idiotic

Focuses on the lack of intelligence or good judgment involved.

how insane

Implies a severe lack of reason and possibly a mental instability.

how irrational

Stresses the lack of logical thought or justification.

FAQs

How can I use "how ludicrous" in a sentence?

"How ludicrous" is typically used to express disbelief or ridicule towards something considered absurd. For example, "How ludicrous is that?" or "It's hard to articulate "how ludicrous that decision was"."

What are some phrases similar to "how ludicrous"?

Alternatives to "how ludicrous" include phrases like "how absurd", "how ridiculous", or "how preposterous". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "how ludicrous" appropriate for formal writing?

While "how ludicrous" is generally acceptable, it may be perceived as slightly informal. In highly formal contexts, consider using alternatives like "how absurd" or rephrasing to emphasize the irrationality or lack of logic.

What's the difference between "how ludicrous" and "how ridiculous"?

Both "how ludicrous" and "how ridiculous" express absurdity, but "how ludicrous" often implies a stronger sense of outrage or disbelief, while "how ridiculous" can sometimes suggest a lighter, more comical absurdity.