illogical things

USAGE SUMMARY

"illogical things" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is an adjective that is used to describe things that don't follow logical or reasonable principles. For example: "The conspiracy theorist insists that aliens are responsible for all sorts of illogical things."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

In my first years back, I saw many illogical things.

The New York Times

It comes from the ability to put very strange, often illogical things together, triggering positive emotions".

The Guardian

This is actually one of the least illogical things to happen during the birth of Christ.

The Guardian

It works especially well with surreal, humorous frustrations, or frustration that stems from genuinely illogical things, or frustration widely shared.

The Guardian - Tech

But rather than drawing inspiration from psychoanalysis, these artists explored "juxtapositions of illogical things," an intrinsic part of Japanese culture best represented by haiku.

The New York Times

When I have read some books, I always find some logical and illogical things; however, many things actually make sense now…I read a book.

Evolution: Education and Outreach

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

But surely the most bizarre and illogical thing we do is smoking tobacco.

Independent

His mindset would be: Don't do the logical thing, try the illogical thing and see if that works.

The Guardian - Music

"Long live the 20th century!" he cries, which is, when you think about it, a profoundly illogical thing to say.

The New York Times

"This is the stupidest and most illogical thing that has happened in Pashtun society in living memory," said Abaseen Yusufzai, head of the Pashto department at Islamic College University.

Vice

I remember hearing my dad talk about the illogical and problematic things that management in his company did, and it bothered me.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "illogical things", ensure the context clearly establishes what standard of logic is being violated. Be specific about the frame of reference for the illogicality.

Common error

Avoid using "illogical things" as a vague criticism. Instead, identify the specific flaw in reasoning or the disconnect from reality to make your critique more persuasive and understandable.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "illogical things" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where "illogical" modifies the noun "things". It describes items, concepts, or actions that do not adhere to logical principles. Ludwig confirms its correct usage as a descriptive term.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "illogical things" is a grammatically sound and usable phrase, as confirmed by Ludwig, functioning as a noun phrase to describe items or concepts lacking in logic. While not exceedingly common, it appears across a range of sources, most frequently in News & Media. To maximize clarity, provide specific context for the illogicality you are referencing. Alternative phrases, such as "irrational acts" or "absurd notions", offer nuanced ways to express similar ideas. When writing, be precise about what frame of reference is being used to measure logical validity and you should avoid vague references to "illogical things" by specifying the error or disconnect present.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

irrational acts

Focuses on actions that lack reason rather than general items.

absurd notions

Highlights ideas or beliefs that are ridiculous or nonsensical.

nonsensical concepts

Highlights the lack of meaning or intelligibility.

flawed logic

Refers to errors or weaknesses in reasoning processes.

inconsistent elements

Emphasizes a lack of coherence within a set of items or ideas.

fallacious arguments

Focuses on deceptive or misleading reasoning.

counterintuitive aspects

Highlights elements that go against what one would expect.

unreasonable matters

Shifts the focus to the unjustifiable or excessive nature of the items.

unfounded beliefs

Emphasizes the lack of a solid basis or evidence.

preposterous claims

Specifically refers to assertions that are outrageous or unbelievable.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "illogical things" in a sentence?

Use "illogical things" to refer to actions, beliefs, or situations that defy reason or expected patterns. For example, "Superstitions often lead people to do "unreasonable things"".

What are some alternatives to using the phrase "illogical things"?

Depending on the specific nuance you want to convey, consider using alternatives such as "irrational acts", "absurd notions", or "inconsistent elements".

Is it more appropriate to say "illogical things" or "illogical actions"?

The choice depends on the context. "Illogical things" is broader and can refer to ideas, objects, or actions. "Illogical actions" specifically refers to deeds or behaviors that lack reason.

How does the connotation of "illogical things" differ from that of "irrational things"?

"Illogical things" suggests a violation of logic or reason, whereas "irrational things" often implies an emotional or psychological disconnect from reason. Irrationality suggests a lack of control or soundness of mind.