make little sense

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "make little sense" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It means that something is difficult to understand or does not seem logical. Example: "The instructions for assembling this furniture make little sense. I have no idea how these pieces are supposed to fit together."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

48 human-written examples

Romney's remarks make little sense.

The Washington Post

But these pounds of flesh make little sense.

The New York Times

On the surface, these moves in rates make little sense.

The New York Times

That choice would seem to make little sense.

The New York Times

No wonder prices make little sense on the auction scene.

The New York Times - Arts

But some argue that the rules make little sense.

The Economist

This was a move that seemed to make little sense.

The New York Times

Some parts of the system make little sense.

The Economist

The old rules for hedge funds make little sense.

The New York Times

All around the world, time zones make little sense.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

These policies make little sense in fact, they are counterproductive.

Harvard Business Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "make little sense", ensure the context clearly indicates what specifically is difficult to understand or illogical. Provide additional details or examples to clarify the issue.

Common error

Avoid using "make little sense" in overly complex sentences where the lack of clarity stems from the sentence structure itself. Simplify the sentence first to ensure the phrase's impact is not diluted.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "make little sense" functions as a predicate in a sentence, expressing a judgment about the intelligibility or logical coherence of something. Ludwig examples confirm its role in stating that a subject is difficult to understand or seems illogical.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

1%

Reference

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "make little sense" is a common and grammatically correct way to express that something is difficult to understand or lacks logical coherence. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's used across various contexts, particularly in News & Media and Science. While alternatives like "be incomprehensible" or "not add up" exist, "make little sense" offers a versatile and widely accepted means of conveying confusion or disagreement. When using this phrase, clarity is key. Ensure the subject and context are clear to avoid ambiguity and maximize its impact. Although the phrase is generally neutral, consider the specific audience and context to ensure the tone aligns with the overall message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be incomprehensible

Highlights the difficulty in understanding something.

be unintelligible

Similar to incomprehensible, but may suggest a lack of clarity.

defy understanding

Emphasizes the impossibility of comprehending something.

be illogical

Focuses on the lack of logical reasoning.

be beyond comprehension

Similar to defying understanding, stressing the limits of understanding.

not add up

Implies that the facts or details don't align or make a consistent whole.

lack coherence

Emphasizes the absence of a clear and consistent structure.

not hold water

Suggests that an argument or explanation is weak and unconvincing.

not compute

Informal way of saying something does not make sense or is not logical.

fail to resonate

Indicates a lack of emotional or intellectual connection.

FAQs

How can I use "make little sense" in a sentence?

You can use "make little sense" to express that something is difficult to understand or illogical. For example, "The instructions for this software "make little sense" to me."

What can I say instead of "make little sense"?

You can use alternatives like "be incomprehensible", "not add up", or "lack coherence" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "make little sense" or "doesn't make sense"?

"Make little sense" and "doesn't make sense" are often interchangeable, but ""make little sense"" can sometimes imply a slightly greater degree of confusion or lack of logic.

What's the difference between "make little sense" and "be nonsensical"?

"Make little sense" suggests something is difficult to understand, while "be nonsensical" implies that something is absurd or completely without meaning.