ludicrous idea

USAGE SUMMARY

"ludicrous idea" is grammatically correct and commonly used in written English.
It means a ridiculous or absurd thought or concept. You can use it to convey disbelief or amusement at something that is being suggested or proposed. Example: "The CEO's plan to replace all employees with robots is a ludicrous idea that will never work in the real world."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

44 human-written examples

"That's a ludicrous idea".

The New York Times

He smiled at the ludicrous idea of it.

The New Yorker

"It is a ludicrous idea what he [Whittingdale] is proposing.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

"They basically thought it was a ludicrous idea.

The New York Times - Sports

It had been a ludicrous idea for a book anyway.

The Guardian - Books

It's a ludicrous idea that really ought not to work.

The Guardian - Film

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

16 human-written examples

We seem willing to grasp at the most ludicrous ideas rather than combat gunfire at its source: guns.

The New York Times

Many management theorists assume that Mr Adams's barbs are aimed at the ludicrous ideas of their rivals, not at their own profound insights.

The Economist

Such ludicrous ideas and conceited language should come as no surprise to any followers of Alsop over the last few years.

The Guardian

It emerges that the real targets of Ms. Ben-Tor's satire are not particular deluded people but academic institutions that embrace and support ludicrous ideas in the name of open inquiry.

The New York Times - Arts

One of his several improbable and faintly ludicrous ideas was that he wished to purify the Russian language, ridding it of its western elements; he came to write his own poems in this invented language.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "ludicrous idea", consider the audience and context. While generally acceptable, in formal writing, synonyms like "implausible proposition" or "absurd notion" might be more suitable.

Common error

Avoid using "ludicrous idea" excessively in formal documents. While the phrase is widely understood, it can sometimes come across as too informal or dismissive. Opt for alternatives that convey a similar meaning with a more professional tone, such as "untenable concept" or "unsustainable approach".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ludicrous idea" functions as a noun phrase, where "ludicrous" modifies the noun "idea". According to Ludwig AI, it's grammatically correct and commonly used. It often serves as the subject or object of a sentence, expressing disbelief or derision.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

83%

Wiki

7%

Huffington Post

7%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "ludicrous idea" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to express the absurdity or ridiculousness of a concept. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent usage across various platforms, particularly in News & Media. While it's generally acceptable, being mindful of the audience and context is crucial, particularly in formal writing where more sophisticated synonyms might be preferred. Be sure to consider the advice given in the Writing Guidance to use it correctly and avoid common pitfalls. Overall, "ludicrous idea" is a handy expression when you want to dismiss something as silly or not worth taking seriously.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

absurd notion

Replaces "ludicrous" with "absurd" and "idea" with "notion", maintaining the core meaning of something ridiculous.

ridiculous concept

Substitutes "ludicrous" with "ridiculous" and "idea" with "concept", emphasizing the laughable nature of the thought.

preposterous suggestion

Replaces "ludicrous" with "preposterous" and "idea" with "suggestion", highlighting the outrageous nature of the proposal.

outlandish plan

Substitutes "ludicrous" with "outlandish" and "idea" with "plan", focusing on the bizarre or unconventional nature of the scheme.

far-fetched scheme

Emphasizes the improbability of the "idea" by using the term "far-fetched" to replace "ludicrous" and "scheme" instead of "idea".

implausible proposition

Replaces "ludicrous" with "implausible" and "idea" with "proposition", underscoring the unlikelihood of the suggestion.

foolish concept

A more straightforward substitution, replacing "ludicrous" with "foolish", indicating a lack of wisdom or good judgment.

inane thought

Replaces "ludicrous" with "inane" emphasizing the silliness and lack of substance of the thought.

nonsensical belief

Uses "nonsensical" instead of "ludicrous" highlighting the lack of logic.

crazy theory

A more informal alternative, replacing "ludicrous" with "crazy" and "idea" with "theory", suggesting wildness or irrationality.

FAQs

How can I use "ludicrous idea" in a sentence?

You can use "ludicrous idea" to express strong disagreement or amusement at a suggestion. For example, "The suggestion that we should all work weekends is a "ludicrous idea"."

What can I say instead of "ludicrous idea"?

You can use alternatives like "absurd notion", "ridiculous concept", or "preposterous suggestion" depending on the context.

Is "ludicrous idea" formal or informal?

"Ludicrous idea" is generally considered informal. In more formal settings, consider using alternatives like "implausible proposition" or "untenable concept".

What's the difference between "ludicrous idea" and "bizarre idea"?

While both phrases suggest something is strange or unreasonable, "ludicrous idea" implies the idea is laughable or absurd, while "bizarre idea" simply implies that the idea is very strange or unusual.