it doesn't make sense

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'it doesn't make sense' is perfectly correct and usable in written English
You can use it when you want to express that something doesn't seem to follow a logical pattern or does not seem reasonable. For example: "I don't understand why Jane quit her job; it doesn't make sense."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

It doesn't make sense, however.

The New York Times

Financially, it doesn't make sense; morally it doesn't make sense.

The New York Times

"It doesn't make sense on paper.

The New York Times - Sports

It doesn't make sense in Miami.

The New York Times - Sports

It doesn't make sense," Mr. Obama said.

The New York Times

Not because it doesn't make sense.

Independent

"It doesn't make sense anymore.

The New York Times

Because it doesn't make sense.

The Guardian - Opinion

It doesn't make sense now".

The New Yorker

Morally it doesn't make sense.

The Guardian - Film

For one game, it doesn't make sense".

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it doesn't make sense" to express confusion or disagreement with a plan, idea, or action. For clarity, follow up with an explanation of why it lacks logic.

Common error

Avoid using "it doesn't make sense" as a conversation ender. Always provide context or reasoning to explain why something lacks sense, preventing ambiguity or misinterpretation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it doesn't make sense" functions as an expression of incomprehension or disbelief. As shown in the examples provided by Ludwig, it is commonly used to question the logic or rationality of a situation, action, or statement.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it doesn't make sense" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to express a lack of understanding, disagreement, or the perception of something as illogical. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and widespread use in various contexts, particularly in news and media. When using this phrase, provide context to clarify why something is confusing to avoid ambiguity. Consider alternatives like ""it is illogical"" or ""it is not logical"" for subtle variations in meaning. Using "it doesn't make sense" effectively involves providing context to explain your reasoning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it is not logical

Directly negates the logical aspect of something.

it is illogical

Replaces "make sense" with a direct synonym for lack of logic.

it defies reason

Indicates something that goes against logical thinking.

it is unreasonable

Focuses on the lack of reasonable justification.

it's incomprehensible

Highlights that something can't be understood.

it is absurd

Emphasizes the nonsensical nature of something.

it is puzzling

Suggests that something is confusing and hard to understand.

it is beyond comprehension

Highlights the difficulty in understanding something.

it eludes understanding

Indicates that something cannot be grasped or understood.

it's a mystery to me

Personalizes the lack of understanding, indicating confusion on a personal level.

FAQs

What does "it doesn't make sense" mean?

It means that something is illogical, confusing, or doesn't follow a reasonable pattern. It's used to express a lack of understanding or disagreement.

How can I use "it doesn't make sense" in a sentence?

You can use it to express confusion about a situation, like: "I don't understand why she would quit her job; "it doesn't make sense"."

What can I say instead of "it doesn't make sense"?

You can use alternatives like "it is illogical", "it is not logical", or "it is absurd" depending on the context.

Is "that doesn't make sense" grammatically correct?

Yes, "that doesn't make sense" is also grammatically correct and can be used interchangeably with ""it doesn't make sense"".