it was foolish

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was foolish" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express that a particular action or decision was unwise or lacking in good judgment. Example: "Looking back, I realize that it was foolish to invest all my savings in that venture."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But it has been losing money for a while, and its board decided that it was foolish to keep throwing good money after bad.

The New Yorker

It was foolish.

The New York Times

"I think it was foolish, irresponsible parenting".

The New York Times - Magazine

"It was foolish, a treat, anti-functional.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"It was foolish from the boy.

The Guardian - Sport

Perhaps it was foolish to expect too much from him.

Independent

He said it was foolish just to go after wealthy men.

The New Yorker

"It was foolish to contain this brand in one channel," he said.

The New York Times

Perhaps it was foolish to hope for even a glimmer of light.

The New York Times

Ultimately, they decided it was foolish to leave one small apartment for another.

The New York Times

"We thought it was foolish not to do anything," Mr. Fusco said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "it was foolish", ensure that the context clearly indicates what action or decision is being referred to, preventing ambiguity.

Common error

While "it was foolish" is acceptable, overuse can make your writing sound repetitive. Vary your language by using synonyms like "it was unwise" or "it was imprudent" to maintain reader engagement and sophistication.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was foolish" functions as a statement expressing a judgment or opinion about a past action or decision. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use in various contexts. It serves to communicate that something done in the past was unwise or lacked good judgment.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Academia

1%

Wiki

1%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it was foolish" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to denote a past action or decision lacking wisdom or good judgment. Ludwig AI confirms that it is commonly found in News & Media. Remember to select best alternatives such as "it was unwise" or "it was a mistake" to add nuance to your writing and prevent repetition.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was unwise

Replaces "foolish" with "unwise", suggesting a lack of good judgment.

it was imprudent

Uses "imprudent" instead of "foolish", implying a lack of foresight and caution.

it was ill-advised

Substitutes "foolish" with "ill-advised", highlighting that the action received poor counsel or advice.

it was a mistake

Replaces the entire phrase with a simpler statement indicating an error in judgment.

it was short-sighted

Emphasizes the lack of long-term thinking in the decision.

it was an error in judgment

More formally expresses that the decision was a mistake.

it wasn't smart

Uses a more casual tone to convey the lack of intelligence in the decision.

it was irresponsible

Replaces the word foolish with "irresponsible", highlighting the lack of duty of care.

it was a blunder

Substitutes "foolish" with "blunder", referring to a stupid or careless mistake.

that was a bad idea

Offers a more direct and concise way to express the poor quality of the decision.

FAQs

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

You can use alternatives like "it was unwise", "it was imprudent", or "it was a mistake" depending on the context.

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

The phrase "it was foolish" is used to express that a past action or decision lacked good judgment. For example, "Looking back, it was foolish to trust him so easily."

What's the difference between "it was foolish" and "it was irresponsible"?

"It was foolish" implies a lack of wisdom or good judgment, while "it was irresponsible" suggests a failure to fulfill a duty or obligation. They both denote negative outcomes but emphasize different aspects of the error.

Is "it was foolish of me" grammatically correct?

Yes, "it was foolish of me" is grammatically correct and commonly used to express self-reproach for a past action. For example, "It was foolish of me to believe his lies."