it is foolish

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it is foolish" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express that something is unwise, impractical, or ill-advised. For example: "Giving away all of your possessions is foolish; you need to make sure you keep something for yourself."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

While laws of nature may preclude immortality, the conclusion of (6) goes beyond its premise, even if it is foolish to resist the inference.

SEP

3) It is foolish for a quoted company to upset its largest shareholder.

The Guardian - Business

It is foolish to stay anywhere but in the centre, with its elegant green-tinged stone buildings and squares.

The Guardian - Travel

But it is foolish to blame banks and markets alone.

Independent

Perhaps it is foolish to be too good.

The Economist

"It is foolish to argue with success," Mr. Kapor said.

The New York Times - Tech

It is foolish to see breaking news as our salvation.

The Guardian

That it is foolish to impose litmus tests?

The New Yorker

But it is foolish to pretend those anxieties don't exist.

The Guardian

It is foolish to ignore senior teachers' preferences.

The New York Times

It is foolish to think such a referendum would settle the matter of Britain's European policy.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it is foolish" to clearly and directly express disagreement with a course of action or a decision, especially when emphasizing potential negative consequences. It adds a tone of gentle disapproval rather than harsh criticism.

Common error

While "it is foolish" is generally acceptable, excessive use can make your writing sound repetitive or simplistic, especially in formal or academic contexts. Vary your phrasing with alternatives like "it is imprudent", "it is unwise", or "it is ill-advised" to add nuance and sophistication to your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it is foolish" functions as an evaluative statement, expressing a negative assessment of an action, belief, or idea. It indicates that something is unwise, imprudent, or lacking in good judgment. Ludwig's examples demonstrate its use across various contexts to critique decisions or behaviors.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Science

18%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Academia

4%

Encyclopedias

4%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it is foolish" is a versatile and commonly used expression for indicating that something lacks good judgment or wisdom. As confirmed by Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically sound and appropriate for a range of contexts, from news and media to scientific discussions. While it's crucial to avoid overuse and consider synonyms like "it is unwise" or "it is imprudent" for variety, "it is foolish" remains a reliable way to express disapproval or caution in both writing and speech.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it is unwise

Replaces "foolish" with a synonym that focuses on a lack of wisdom.

it is imprudent

Substitutes "foolish" with a more formal term indicating a lack of foresight or caution.

it is ill-advised

Emphasizes that the action or decision is based on poor counsel or planning.

it is not smart

Uses a simpler, more direct way of saying something is unwise.

it is a mistake

Highlights that the action will likely lead to negative consequences.

it is a bad idea

Offers a more general assessment that something should not be done.

it is not a good idea

Similar to "it is a bad idea" but slightly less direct.

it would be silly

Suggests the action is not only unwise but also ridiculous or absurd.

it is short-sighted

Focuses on the lack of long-term thinking in the action or decision.

it is irresponsible

Indicates that the action demonstrates a lack of care or consideration for potential consequences.

FAQs

How can I use "it is foolish" in a sentence?

You can use "it is foolish" to express that a particular action or belief is unwise or lacks good judgment. For instance, "It is foolish to ignore the warning signs of an impending economic crisis."

What are some alternatives to saying "it is foolish"?

You can use alternatives like "it is unwise", "it is imprudent", or "it is ill-advised" to convey a similar meaning with slightly different nuances.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "it is foolish"?

The phrase "it is foolish" is appropriate in a variety of contexts, from casual conversations to more formal writing. However, consider your audience and the overall tone of your message. In highly formal settings, a more sophisticated synonym might be preferable.

What's the difference between "it is foolish" and "it is naive"?

While both phrases suggest a lack of good judgment, "it is foolish" implies a disregard for potential consequences, whereas "it is naive" suggests a lack of experience or awareness of the world's complexities. Something that is foolish might lead to predictable harm, while something that is naive may stem from innocence or a lack of information.