make no sense

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "make no sense" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express that something is illogical or incomprehensible. For example: "I don't understand why they decided to do that - it makes no sense."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

Soaps make no sense.

The New Yorker

It would make no sense.

The New York Times

These restrictions make no sense.

The New York Times

That don't make no sense".

The New York Times

It'll make no sense".

The Guardian

The law would otherwise make no sense.

The New Yorker

"Don't make no sense," he said.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

This made no sense.

The New York Times

Dialogue makes no sense.

The New York Times - Books

That made no sense.

The New Yorker

That makes no sense.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "make no sense", ensure that the context clearly indicates what is illogical or incomprehensible. Be specific to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

While "make no sense" is widely understood, consider using more formal alternatives like "is illogical" or "lacks coherence" in academic or professional writing to maintain a sophisticated tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "make no sense" functions as a predicate expressing a lack of logical coherence or comprehensibility. As shown by Ludwig, it is used to indicate that something is illogical or does not conform to reason. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "make no sense" is a common and grammatically correct way to express that something is illogical or incomprehensible. According to Ludwig, it is widely used across various contexts, from news articles to academic discussions. While the register is generally neutral, more formal alternatives may be preferred in specific settings. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. When using this phrase, ensure the context clearly indicates what is illogical, and consider alternatives like "be illogical" or "lack coherence" for more formal writing. Remember to avoid the double negative construction "don't make no sense". Overall, "make no sense" is a versatile and effective way to convey a lack of understanding or logical reasoning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be incomprehensible

Emphasizes the difficulty in understanding something.

not add up

Implies that the details or facts of a situation don't logically connect.

defy logic

Indicates a direct contradiction of logical principles.

be illogical

Focuses on the lack of logical reasoning rather than general understanding.

lack coherence

Stresses the absence of a clear and logical connection between ideas.

be absurd

Highlights the ridiculous or nonsensical nature of something.

not compute

Informal way of saying something doesn't make sense, often used in technical contexts.

be unreasonable

Suggests a lack of reason or justification.

not hold water

Suggests that an argument or explanation is weak and unconvincing.

be beyond me

Indicates that something is too difficult for someone to understand.

FAQs

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

You can use "make no sense" to express that something is illogical, incomprehensible, or absurd. For example, "His explanation for the missing money "make no sense"."

What are some alternatives to "make no sense"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "be illogical", "be incomprehensible", or "be absurd" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it grammatically correct to say "don't make no sense"?

No, "don't make no sense" is a double negative and is grammatically incorrect in standard English. The correct form is "doesn't "make no sense"" or "doesn't make any sense".

What's the difference between "make no sense" and "doesn't add up"?

"Make no sense" generally means something is incomprehensible or illogical. "Doesn't "add up"" implies that the details of a situation don't logically connect or align with each other, suggesting something is amiss or suspicious.