making any sense

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "making any sense" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It is used to question or express doubt about the coherence or logic of a statement or idea. Example: "I don't understand what you're trying to say. Is your argument really making any sense?".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"You're not making any sense".

The New Yorker

Am I making any sense?

The Guardian - Music

"He wasn't making any sense.

The New York Times

Am I making any sense at all?

The New York Times

Honey, you're not making any sense!

The Guardian - Opinion

None of this is making any sense.

The Guardian

It's just not clear that they're making any sense.

The New Yorker

Go at them if they're not making any sense.

The New Yorker

But Charlie Sheen just isn't making any sense at all.

The Guardian - Opinion

"I remember an overwhelming feeling of not making any sense of anything around me," she says.

Independent

Just taking the most straightforward reading of his question, he's really not making any sense.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "making any sense" when you want to question or express doubt about the clarity or logic of a statement. It's often used in conversational contexts to seek confirmation or express confusion.

Common error

While widely understood, "making any sense" can sometimes sound too informal for academic or professional writing. In such contexts, consider more formal alternatives like "being coherent" or "being logically sound".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "making any sense" primarily functions as an interrogative or negative qualifier, questioning or denying the comprehensibility or logical coherence of something. Ludwig confirms its widespread use and acceptance.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Academia

25%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Science

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "making any sense" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to question or express doubt about the clarity or logic of a statement. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely used across diverse contexts, from news and media to academia. While versatile, it's crucial to consider the formality of your writing and choose more sophisticated alternatives like "being coherent" for formal contexts. The phrase's primary function is to seek clarification or challenge validity, making it an interactive and engaging tool in communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

being understandable

Highlights the ease with which something can be comprehended.

being logical

Emphasizes adherence to the principles of valid reasoning.

being coherent

Focuses on the quality of being logically consistent and clear.

being reasonable

Suggests that something is in accordance with reason or sound judgment.

adding up

Indicates that details or facts are consistent and form a comprehensible whole.

being plausible

Focuses on the believability or likelihood of something.

holding water

Implies that an argument or explanation is sound and defensible.

holding together

Highlights the structural integrity and consistency of an argument or plan.

ringing true

Indicates that something feels authentic and credible.

registering

Focuses on whether something is being noticed or understood.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "making any sense" in a formal context?

In formal contexts, consider using phrases like "being coherent", "being logical", or "being understandable" to maintain a professional tone.

What does it mean when someone asks, "Am I making any sense?"

When someone asks "Am I making any sense?", they are asking if you understand what they are saying and if their explanation is clear. It's an invitation for you to provide feedback or ask clarifying questions.

Is "making any sense" grammatically correct?

Yes, "making any sense" is grammatically correct and commonly used in spoken and written English. It follows standard English grammar rules and is widely understood.

What's the difference between "making any sense" and "make sense"?

"Making any sense" is often used in questions or negative statements to inquire or express doubt about clarity or logic (e.g., "Is this making any sense?"). "Make sense", on the other hand, is a more general statement indicating that something is logical or understandable (e.g., "This doesn't make sense").