it is foolish to think

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of the sentence "It is foolish to think" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express that an idea is not logical or wise. Example: It is foolish to think that spending money on luxuries rather than saving it is a wise decision.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

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

The Guardian

There are no quick fixes, and it is foolish to think otherwise.

The Guardian - Opinion

"It is foolish to think you are going to stop growth.

The New York Times

It is foolish to think that these issues can be fixed easily, or erased easily, just because there is a functioning government and economy.

Princeton University

It is foolish to think that by pulping Springborg's article the government can stop the dissemination of its ideas; Web publishing has changed that.

The New Yorker

It is foolish to think that major league players intentionally lay down to sabotage a manager, but even experienced players can get into a mental rut.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

It was foolish to think of creating a modern democracy in an artificial country with a divided society like Iraq.

The New York Times

First, that it's foolish to think that only someone born into a culture can understand its cuisine.

The New York Times - Food

Clearly, the problem requires structural reform, and it's foolish to think that it could be solved just by increasing demand.

The New York Times

But it's foolish to think we'll ever be able to eradicate all of the causes that produce violence".

The New Yorker

"It's foolish to think you're done for," the downtrodden hero of the title story is told by a friend.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it is foolish to think" when you want to directly challenge the logic or wisdom of an idea, particularly if it seems obviously flawed.

Common error

While effective, "it is foolish to think" can sound somewhat informal or condescending. In formal writing, consider more nuanced phrasing like "it is unwise to assume" or "it is imprudent to expect" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it is foolish to think" functions as a declarative statement expressing disagreement or doubt about a particular idea. It asserts that a specific thought or belief lacks wisdom or logic. As Ludwig AI shows, this construction is common in various forms of media and academic discourse.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Academia

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "it is foolish to think" is a useful tool for expressing disagreement and challenging the logic of an idea. Ludwig AI analysis shows that it is grammatically sound and primarily appears in news and media contexts. While effective, consider adjusting your tone for formality. Alternatives like "it's unwise to assume" may be better in formal writing. When using this phrase, ensure that the statement you are critiquing is clearly defined and that your counter-argument is well-supported. Overall, it serves as a direct and persuasive way to express doubt or disagreement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it's unwise to assume

Replaces "foolish" with "unwise" to soften the tone, focusing on lack of wisdom rather than outright foolishness.

it's naive to believe

Emphasizes the lack of experience or knowledge in holding a particular belief.

it's a mistake to consider

Highlights the potential error in thinking a certain way.

it's shortsighted to imagine

Suggests a lack of long-term perspective in the thought process.

it's imprudent to expect

Focuses on the lack of carefulness or good judgment in anticipating a particular outcome.

it's illogical to conclude

Highlights the absence of sound reasoning in arriving at a specific conclusion.

one would be mistaken to think

Shifts the perspective to a more general statement about the potential for error in thinking.

it's unrealistic to presume

Highlights the lack of grounding in reality when making an assumption.

it's senseless to contemplate

Emphasizes the lack of purpose or reason in considering something.

it defies reason to suppose

Highlights the contradiction between the thought and logical reasoning.

FAQs

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

You can use "it is foolish to think" to express disagreement with a particular idea or belief, implying that it lacks logic or good judgment. For example, "It is foolish to think that hard work alone guarantees success".

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

Some alternatives include phrases like "it's unwise to assume", "it's naive to believe", or "it's a mistake to consider", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "it is foolish to think" too strong of a statement for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "it is foolish to think" can sometimes be perceived as too direct or dismissive for formal writing. In such contexts, consider using alternatives that convey doubt or disagreement in a more diplomatic manner.

What is the difference between "it is foolish to think" and "it would be foolish to think"?

The phrase "it would be foolish to think" presents a hypothetical scenario, suggesting that a particular thought process could be unwise. "It is foolish to think" makes a more direct statement about an existing thought process that the speaker considers illogical or ill-advised. The former is less assertive.