made no sense

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "made no sense" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express that something is nonsensical or illogical. For example: "The instructions she gave us made no sense, so we had no idea how to proceed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

52 human-written examples

This made no sense.

The New York Times

That made no sense.

The New Yorker

"It made no sense.

The New York Times

They made no sense".

The New York Times - Sports

The film made no sense.

Independent

Logically it made no sense.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

8 human-written examples

Soaps make no sense.

The New Yorker

Dialogue makes no sense.

The New York Times - Books

That makes no sense.

The New York Times

Makes no sense".

The New York Times

Reverse makes no sense.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "made no sense" when you want to express a clear lack of logic or coherence. This phrase is versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts to indicate that something is nonsensical or incomprehensible.

Common error

Avoid using "made no sense" when you simply disagree with something or find it unpalatable. This phrase specifically indicates a lack of logical coherence, not merely a difference in opinion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "made no sense" functions as a predicate in a sentence, indicating that a particular subject lacks logical coherence or is incomprehensible. Ludwig AI validates this usage with numerous examples showing its widespread application.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

88%

Formal & Business

6%

Science

3%

Less common in

Academia

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "made no sense" is a grammatically correct and very common expression used to indicate a lack of logical coherence or understanding. Ludwig AI confirms its wide applicability across various contexts, particularly in News & Media. It is a versatile phrase suitable for both formal and informal communication, used to convey that something is nonsensical or incomprehensible. When using this phrase, ensure it accurately reflects a lack of logical connection rather than a mere difference of opinion.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was completely illogical

Focuses on the lack of logical reasoning, emphasizing the irrationality of something.

didn't add up

Suggests that the elements or details of something didn't form a coherent whole or explanation.

was incomprehensible

Highlights the difficulty or impossibility of understanding something.

defied all reason

Emphasizes that something went against logical thinking and rational understanding.

didn't register

Indicates a failure to understand or acknowledge something.

failed to compute

Implies that something could not be processed or understood by the mind.

was beyond understanding

Expresses that something was too difficult or complex to be comprehended.

was all Greek to me

An idiomatic expression indicating a complete lack of understanding.

didn't click

Suggests that something didn't become clear or understandable.

was unintelligible

Focuses on the lack of clarity or coherence, making it impossible to understand.

FAQs

How can I use "made no sense" in a sentence?

You can use "made no sense" to describe something illogical or incomprehensible. For example, "The explanation he gave for his actions "made no sense"." It indicates that the explanation lacked logical coherence.

What are some alternatives to "made no sense"?

Alternatives include phrases like "was completely illogical", "didn't add up", or "was incomprehensible", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "makes no sense" or "made no sense"?

The choice between "makes no sense" and "made no sense" depends on the tense of the sentence. Use "makes no sense" for present tense and "made no sense" for past tense. For example, "His argument "makes no sense"" versus "His argument "made no sense" after further review".

What is the difference between "made no sense" and "didn't make sense"?

"Made no sense" and "didn't make sense" are essentially interchangeable and carry the same meaning. Both phrases indicate a lack of logical coherence or intelligibility.