it would be foolish

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it would be foolish" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express that a certain action or decision is unwise or imprudent. Example: "If you decide to invest all your savings in a single stock, it would be foolish."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

It would be foolish to extend this argument beyond its possibly illustrative usefulness.

Forbes

Ignoring it would be foolish.

The New York Times

It would be foolish".

The Guardian - Sport

To ignore it would be foolish.

The New York Times

It would be foolish not to party".

The New York Times - Magazine

"It would be foolish not to".

The New York Times

"It would be foolish not to recognize that.

The New York Times

But it would be foolish to forget about Cyprus.

The New York Times

"But it would be foolish to change too much.

The New York Times - Sports

It would be foolish to do so again.

The New York Times

— it would be foolish to assume that all is well.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it would be foolish" to directly and clearly express that a particular course of action is not sensible or well-considered. It's a versatile phrase applicable in both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

While "it would be foolish" is useful, avoid overusing it in your writing. Vary your language by employing synonyms or rephrasing to keep your content engaging. For example, instead of saying "it would be foolish to ignore the data", try "ignoring the data would be a mistake".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it would be foolish" functions as an evaluative statement, expressing a judgment about the prudence or wisdom of a hypothetical action or decision. It suggests that taking a particular course of action would be unwise. Ludwig AI confirms this with examples illustrating the consequences of disregarding this advice.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Science

3%

Reference

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it would be foolish" is a commonly used and grammatically sound way to express that a particular action or decision is unwise. Ludwig AI confirms the correctness and usability of this phrase. It is most frequently found in news and media contexts and serves to advise against imprudent choices. While versatile, varying your language can enhance your writing. Consider alternatives like "it would be unwise" or "it would be imprudent" for more formal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it would be unwise

Replaces "foolish" with a synonym, "unwise", maintaining the same meaning.

it would be unwise to

Adds "to" at the end, creating a more direct implication of the action that is considered unwise.

it would be ill-advised

Replaces "foolish" with "ill-advised", suggesting that the action is not recommended.

it would be imprudent

Substitutes "foolish" with "imprudent", suggesting a lack of caution or discretion.

it would be silly

Replaces "foolish" with "silly", indicating a lack of seriousness or good judgment.

it would be daft

Uses "daft" instead of "foolish", implying foolishness or stupidity.

it would be a blunder

Replaces foolish with blunder, indicating a serious mistake or error.

it would be a mistake

Changes the structure to focus on the negative outcome (a mistake) rather than the actor's foolishness.

it would be short-sighted

Specifies the type of foolishness as a lack of long-term vision.

it'd be madness

Uses a more informal tone to suggest the action is completely irrational.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "it would be foolish" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "it would be imprudent", "it would be unwise", or "it would be ill-advised". These alternatives provide a more sophisticated and cautious tone.

Is "it would be foolish" too informal for academic writing?

While not strictly informal, "it would be foolish" might lack the gravitas preferred in academic writing. Opt for stronger, more precise language like "it would be untenable" or "it would be inadvisable" to convey your point with greater authority.

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

"It would be foolish" implies a lack of good judgment or common sense, while "it would be naive" suggests a lack of experience or awareness of potential problems. The former highlights imprudence, whereas the latter emphasizes innocence or a lack of sophistication.

Can "it would be foolish" be used in a positive context?

No, "it would be foolish" is inherently negative. It always implies that a particular action or belief is unwise or detrimental. To express a positive sentiment, you'd need to rephrase the sentence entirely.