it was ludicrous

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was ludicrous" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation, idea, or action that is absurd or ridiculous. Example: "When I heard the proposal to cut the budget for education, I thought it was ludicrous."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It was ludicrous.

The New York Times - Arts

I mean, it was ludicrous".

The New Yorker

"It was ludicrous," thinks the surprised tinker.

The New York Times

It was ludicrous," Mr. Antoni said.

The New York Times

Colossus!/ Indigo, here we go". It was ludicrous, but unforgettable.

The Guardian - Music

I think people would think it was ludicrous.

The Guardian

Slowly, Susan grasped the implication, but it was ludicrous.

The New Yorker

They ate all the food from my feeder in one day; it was ludicrous.

The New York Times - Science

"It was ludicrous considering the size of the market in New York".

The New York Times - Sports

It was ludicrous, but equally hilarious, to see me pounding pegs into the wood with a huge chunk of stone.

Princeton University

"They thought it was ludicrous to expect that Eddie would sell.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it was ludicrous" to express strong disagreement or disbelief about a situation or statement. Be mindful of your audience; while widely understood, "ludicrous" can be perceived as somewhat formal or intellectual in tone.

Common error

Avoid using "ludicrous" excessively in casual conversation, as it can sound pretentious. Consider using simpler alternatives like "ridiculous" or "absurd" for a more natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was ludicrous" functions as an evaluative statement, expressing a strong opinion that something is absurd, unreasonable, or laughable. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage. Examples from Ludwig show it's used to reject claims or ideas deemed unbelievable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Science

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it was ludicrous" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to express strong disagreement or disbelief. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. It's most frequently found in news and media contexts. While not overly formal, it should be used judiciously in casual conversation. Alternatives like "it was ridiculous" or "it was absurd" can offer a more informal tone. The phrase functions as an evaluative statement, dismissing claims or ideas as unreasonable.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was ridiculous

Substitutes "ludicrous" with "ridiculous", indicating something is absurd and worthy of mockery.

it was absurd

Substitutes "ludicrous" with "absurd", emphasizing the illogical nature of something.

it was preposterous

Substitutes "ludicrous" with "preposterous", stressing the outrageousness of something.

it was foolish

Substitutes "ludicrous" with "foolish", suggesting a lack of good sense.

it was silly

Replaces "ludicrous" with "silly", suggesting something is frivolous or lacking seriousness.

it was derisory

Replaces "ludicrous" with "derisory", implying contemptuous ridicule.

it was stupid

Replaces "ludicrous" with "stupid", implying a lack of intelligence.

it was farcical

Replaces "ludicrous" with "farcical", suggesting something is absurdly comical or travesty.

it was senseless

Replaces "ludicrous" with "senseless", indicating a lack of reason or purpose.

it was grotesque

Replaces "ludicrous" with "grotesque", implying repulsiveness or distortion to the point of absurdity.

FAQs

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

Use "it was ludicrous" to express strong disagreement with or disbelief in something. For example, "It was ludicrous to suggest that I would agree with that plan."

What can I say instead of "it was ludicrous"?

You can use alternatives like "it was ridiculous", "it was absurd", or "it was preposterous" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "it was ludicrous" or "that's ludicrous"?

Both are grammatically correct. "It was ludicrous" refers to something in the past, while "that's ludicrous" refers to something in the present. For example, "The idea was ludicrous", or "That's a ludicrous suggestion".

What is the difference between "ludicrous" and "ridiculous"?

"Ludicrous" implies a more extreme level of absurdity than "ridiculous". While both describe something laughable or unreasonable, "ludicrous" suggests something is completely unbelievable or nonsensical.