is irrational

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is irrational" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when describing something that lacks reason or logic, or when referring to irrational numbers in mathematics. An example could be: "His reaction to the news is irrational." Alternative expressions include "is unreasonable," "is illogical," and "is nonsensical."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

It is irrational".

The Economist

Fear is irrational".

The Guardian

The question is irrational.

The Guardian - Opinion

"The whole issue is irrational," he said.

The Economist

On one level, the indignation is irrational.

The New Yorker

This is irrational and incoherent.

The Guardian - Opinion

I mean, this is irrational".

The Guardian

Love is irrational, says Shakespeare.

The Guardian

The crucial word here is "irrational".

The New York Times - Books

The peak-end effect is irrational.

The Economist

"So much of the hype is irrational".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "is irrational", ensure the context clearly indicates what standard of rationality is being violated. Providing specific reasons or examples will strengthen your argument.

Common error

Avoid using "is irrational" as a blanket statement without providing supporting evidence. Clearly explain why something deviates from rational thought to avoid weakening your claim.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is irrational" functions as a predicate adjective, describing a subject as lacking reason or logical foundation. This is evident in Ludwig's examples, where it qualifies decisions, fears, arguments, and systems as deviating from rationality.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Science

24%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "is irrational" effectively conveys the absence of reason or logic. As confirmed by Ludwig, its grammatical function as a predicate adjective allows it to describe a wide range of subjects, primarily within News & Media and Science contexts. While the phrase maintains a neutral register, its usage is best supported by specific examples to strengthen its claim. When writing, consider alternatives like "is unreasonable" or "is illogical" to add nuance. Overall, "is irrational" is a versatile and frequently used expression for critiquing the lack of rationality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is illogical

Emphasizes a contradiction of logical principles or reasoning.

is unreasonable

Focuses on not being guided by reason or good sense, highlighting a lack of justification.

is nonsensical

Highlights the lack of meaning or sense in something.

is senseless

Emphasizes a lack of purpose or meaning; devoid of common sense.

is absurd

Stresses the extreme unreasonableness or ridiculousness of something.

is unjustifiable

Focuses on the inability to defend or rationalize something.

is unfounded

Suggests a lack of a solid basis or evidence.

is groundless

Similar to unfounded, but emphasizes the lack of factual support.

is preposterous

Highlights the outrageous or absurd nature of something.

is untenable

Indicates that a position or argument cannot be defended or maintained.

FAQs

How can I use "is irrational" in a sentence?

The phrase "is irrational" is used to describe something that lacks reason or logical sense. For instance, "His fear of cats "is irrational" because he's never had a bad experience with them."

What are some alternatives to saying "is irrational"?

You can replace "is irrational" with phrases like "is unreasonable", "is illogical", or "is absurd", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "is irrational"?

Use "is irrational" when you want to emphasize that something deviates from logic, reason, or common sense. It's suitable for both formal and informal contexts, depending on the subject matter.

What's the difference between "is irrational" and "is unreasonable"?

"Is irrational" suggests a complete lack of reason, bordering on illogical or nonsensical. "Is unreasonable" implies that something is not fair, practical, or moderate, but not necessarily devoid of logic. The degree of deviance from reason differs.