how unwise

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "how unwise" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express disapproval or criticism regarding a decision or action that is considered foolish or imprudent. Example: "He decided to invest all his savings in that risky venture, and I couldn't help but think how unwise that choice was."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

Today, people look back and nod knowingly at how unwise the firm's deals were.

The New Yorker

It took me twenty years of my fifty-year marriage to discover how unwise it was to attempt to remake my wife.

The New York Times

I realize now how unwise that probably was, but at the time I had saved some money and wanted to see if I could make it work.

The New York Times - Magazine

"If anyone has not learned from '40-'45 how unwise it is to want to live with marching jackboots who demand 'respect,' it's the mayor," van Gogh wrote.

The New Yorker

It should be obvious, of course, how unwise it is to add emotion to handwork, how every needle thrust and stitch signifies a debt in labor and love that cannot be repaid.

The New York Times

The sinking -- probably the North's effort to retaliate for past clashes and to humiliate the conservative South Korean president, Lee Myung-bak -- shows how unwise it is to leave stability on the peninsula hostage to Pyongyang's goodwill.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

Purdue University has become the first public institution of higher education to adopt a free speech policy called the "Chicago principles," condemning the suppression of views no matter how "offensive, unwise, immoral, or wrong-headed" they may be.

Huffington Post

This may be the best thing about him, because no matter how impulsive or unwise the choices he makes on his first solo album, "Embracism," they sound as if they were coming from a mature place.

The New York Times - Arts

The challenge is for China's diplomats, who are not represented at the highest echelons of power in Beijing, to make clear to the government how shortsighted and unwise a confrontational foreign policy strategy would be.

The New York Times

§ 1.2 Friend #2 MUST support Friend #1's artistic endeavors, no matter how amateurish or unwise those endeavors are.

Vice

Whatever Mary's foreknowledge of the crime, her conduct thereafter was fatally unwise and showed how much she lacked wise counselors in Scotland.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "how unwise" to express a critical observation about a decision or action, particularly when emphasizing the lack of foresight or good judgment involved. For instance, "Looking back, it's clear how unwise it was to ignore the expert's advice."

Common error

Avoid using "how unwise" in extremely formal contexts where more nuanced or diplomatic language might be appropriate. While generally acceptable, it can sometimes come across as overly direct or harsh.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "how unwise" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying an implied or stated verb, expressing a judgment or realization about the lack of wisdom in a past action or decision. It often introduces a clause explaining the extent of the poor judgment. Ludwig AI confirms its usability.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

13%

Science

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "how unwise" serves to express a critical evaluation of a past action or decision, emphasizing the lack of foresight or good judgment. As Ludwig AI validates, the phrase is grammatically sound and finds frequent usage in News & Media, Wiki and Science contexts. When aiming for clarity and impact in your writing, remember to consider alternatives such as "how foolish" or "how imprudent", as they can provide a more nuanced expression of your intended meaning. Use "how unwise" judiciously to convey thoughtful reflection and critical assessment of past events.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

how imprudent

Replaces "unwise" with a more formal term suggesting a lack of foresight.

how foolish

Emphasizes a lack of common sense or intelligence in the action.

how ill-advised

Highlights that the action was based on poor counsel or planning.

how injudicious

A more formal alternative to "unwise", indicating a lack of sound judgment.

what a mistake

Shifts the focus to the error itself, rather than the wisdom behind it.

how short-sighted

Indicates a lack of consideration for long-term consequences.

what a blunder

Suggests a significant and often embarrassing mistake.

how regrettable

Focuses on the negative consequences and the feeling of regret associated with the action.

how misguided

Emphasizes that the action was based on incorrect or flawed beliefs.

how irresponsible

Highlights a lack of care or consideration for the potential consequences.

FAQs

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

You can use "how unwise" to express disapproval or criticism regarding a decision or action. For example, "He decided to invest all his savings in that risky venture, and I couldn't help but think "how unwise" that choice was."

What are some alternatives to "how unwise"?

Alternatives include "how foolish", "how imprudent", or "how ill-advised", depending on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "that's how unwise it was"?

While grammatically correct, it's less common. A more natural phrasing is "that's "how unwise" it was" or "that shows "how unwise" it was".

What's the difference between "how unwise" and "unwisely"?

"How unwise" is used to express the degree of lack of wisdom, while "unwisely" is an adverb describing the manner in which something was done. For example, "He acted unwisely" versus "Looking back, I see "how unwise" his actions were".