irrational

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "irrational" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe someone whose behavior or decision making does not follow logic or sense. For example: "When John decided to quit his job after only a few weeks, his friends thought his action was irrational."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The consequence of the 11 defeats Celtic have sustained in his care so far this season was to be found in the irrational behaviour that accompanied the acquisition of a Tottenham reserve on loan until the end of the season.

The Guardian - Sport

Even analysts are baffled by the Fed's happy tone, which seems much more suited to a bubble of irrational exuberance rather than our own endless depressive malaise.

The Guardian - Opinion

The rational, autonomous, self-aware agent acting in his own self-interest according to static preferences has faded as we realise that behaviour is largely irrational, unconscious and driven by external contexts.

The Guardian

Above all, that giving the arts a chance to be excellent – and we are talking of chance, of risk, of the variable, the impulsive, the uncertain, the irrational, the uncalculated, the shocking – depends on allowing the arts to talk of what they do, argue for what they do, justify what they do and explain what they do in their own terms.

The Guardian

Compassion means responding to this outbreak instead of ignoring it; it means fighting our own irrational fears and learning more about Ebola and the people who are battling it.

The Guardian - Opinion

The aim of terrorism is to inspire irrational fear, to terrorise.

The Guardian

A case was made in the Lords last week to exempt universities from the irrational provisions of this new counter-terror legislation.

The Guardian - Opinion

"If the people do not just dislike something, but think it is irrational, then it should not be done", the leader of the rightwing Fidesz party said in the interview.

The Guardian

Per contra, Thatcher's denouncing "the enemy within", invoking laws against union representation at GCHQ and ordering a three-line whip to fight Richard Shepherd's private member's bill on the Official Secrets Act were irrational.

The Guardian

This is no big deal, and my initial, irrational irritation subsides.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

If one goes by how parties did at the last general election, then the exclusion of the Greens – who had an MP elected – in favour of Ukip is irrational.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "irrational" to describe decisions, behaviors, or beliefs that defy logic or reason. For example, "His irrational fear of heights prevented him from enjoying the view."

Common error

Avoid using "irrational" simply to dismiss actions driven by emotions. While emotions can lead to choices that seem illogical, "irrational" specifically implies a lack of reasoned thought, not just feeling. For example, someone acting out of grief isn't necessarily irrational; they are acting emotionally.

Linguistic Context

The word "irrational" primarily functions as an adjective. It is used to describe nouns (people, ideas, actions) that lack reason or logical sense. As Ludwig AI confirms, the word "irrational" is correct and usable in written English to describe someone or something that doesn't follow logic or common sense.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Formal & Business

28%

Science

19%

Less common in

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "irrational" is a versatile adjective used to describe something lacking reason or logic. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. It's commonly found in News & Media, Formal & Business, and Science contexts, indicating a broad application across various writing styles. While alternatives like "unreasonable" or "illogical" exist, it's crucial to distinguish "irrational" from simply being emotional. Avoiding this confusion and utilizing the best practices can enhance the clarity and precision of your writing when employing the word "irrational".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unreasonable

Implies a lack of good judgment or fairness.

illogical

Refers to a lack of logical consistency.

senseless

Suggests a lack of meaning or purpose.

nonsensical

Describes something that makes no sense.

absurd

Indicates something wildly unreasonable or inappropriate.

preposterous

Emphasizes the ridiculousness or outrageousness of something.

unfounded

Suggests a lack of basis in fact or reason.

groundless

Similar to unfounded, emphasizing the absence of a solid foundation.

baseless

Indicates a lack of support or evidence.

inane

Suggests something silly or empty of meaning.

FAQs

How can I use "irrational" in a sentence?

Use "irrational" to describe something that doesn't make sense or is not based on reason. For example: "The market's reaction to the news was completely irrational."

What's a good alternative to the word "irrational"?

Alternatives include "unreasonable", "illogical", or "senseless", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say someone is being "irrational" if they're just emotional?

Not necessarily. While emotions can influence behavior, "irrational" specifically implies a lack of logical thought or reason, not just the presence of strong feelings. Actions driven by grief, for example, might be emotional but not "irrational".

What is the difference between "irrational" and "unjustified"?

"Irrational" refers to a lack of logical reasoning, while "unjustified" means there is no valid reason or excuse for something. An action can be both "irrational" and "unjustified", but they describe different aspects of the action.