makes no sense

USAGE SUMMARY

"makes no sense" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It is typically used to convey that something is confusing or illogical. Example: "The instructions for this DIY project make no sense. I have no idea how to put this thing together."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Dialogue makes no sense.

The New York Times - Books

Makes no sense".

The New York Times

Reverse makes no sense.

The New York Times

That makes no sense.

The New York Times

Which makes no sense.

Independent

"It makes no sense".

The New York Times

It makes no sense otherwise".

The New York Times

"Makes no sense," she said.

The New Yorker

It makes no sense whatsoever".

The New York Times

It makes no sense today.

The New York Times

"And it makes no sense.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "makes no sense" to express confusion or disagreement when something lacks logic or coherence. It's suitable for both formal and informal contexts, providing a clear and concise way to convey incomprehension.

Common error

Avoid using "makes no sense" as a standalone argument in a debate. Instead, elaborate on why something doesn't make sense by providing specific reasons and evidence to support your claim.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "makes no sense" functions as an evaluative expression, used to convey a speaker's or writer's lack of comprehension or agreement with a statement, idea, or situation. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is a correct and commonly used expression.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

10%

Science

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "makes no sense" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to convey a lack of understanding, logic, or coherence. Ludwig AI confirms its validity, noting its prevalence across diverse contexts, particularly in news and media. While suitable for many situations, it is advisable to elaborate on why something doesn't make sense, especially in formal arguments. Alternative phrases like "is illogical" or "doesn't add up" can provide nuance, but "makes no sense" remains a versatile and readily understood choice for expressing confusion or disagreement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is nonsensical

Uses a direct synonym to express the lack of meaning or coherence.

doesn't add up

Replaces the phrase with a more informal expression suggesting inconsistency or a lack of coherence.

is illogical

Substitutes the phrase with a direct statement about the lack of logical consistency.

is baffling

Replaces the phrase with a term that conveys confusion and bewilderment.

is incomprehensible

Replaces the idiomatic expression with a more formal term emphasizing difficulty in understanding.

is unintelligible

Similar to incomprehensible but stresses the inability to grasp the meaning.

defies reason

Indicates that something goes against logical thought or rational explanation.

is beyond understanding

Emphasizes the inability to comprehend something, suggesting it's too complex or confusing.

is unreasoning

Highlights the absence of logic or rational thought behind something.

is Greek to me

An idiomatic expression indicating complete lack of understanding.

FAQs

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

You can use "makes no sense" to express that something is illogical, confusing, or doesn't add up. For example, "The plot of this movie just "makes no sense" to me."

What are some alternative phrases for "makes no sense"?

Alternatives include "is illogical", "doesn't add up", or "is nonsensical", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "makes no sense" appropriate for formal writing?

While "makes no sense" is widely understood, it might be more suitable for informal or neutral contexts. In formal writing, consider using more precise alternatives like "is incomprehensible" or "defies reason".

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

The phrases are largely interchangeable. "Makes no sense" is a more direct and slightly more emphatic way to express that something lacks logic, while "doesn't make sense" is a more common, slightly less forceful alternative.