manifestly foolish

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "manifestly foolish" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is clearly or obviously foolish or unwise. Example: "His decision to invest all his savings in a failing business was manifestly foolish."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

E-mail people about how manifestly foolish the study is.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Foolish, finally, because Europe has manifestly not dealt with its banking and fiscal crises in either an even-handed or a sure-handed way.

The Guardian - Opinion

After all, why should we entrust the fate of the Earth to large numbers of ordinary citizens foolish enough to support self-destructive policies and manifestly unfit leaders?

The Guardian

Manifestly plastic.

The Guardian - Books

Foolish, foolish idea.

The New York Times

Manifestly, he cannot.

The New Yorker

Manifestly it is both.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Still foolish.

Harvard University

Manifestly, none are.

The Guardian - Books

He is manifestly wrong.

The New York Times

Manifestly, he cared about sport.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "manifestly foolish" to describe actions or decisions that are not only unwise but also clearly and undeniably so. It adds a layer of emphasis to your critique.

Common error

While "manifestly" can add emphasis, overusing formal adverbs like this can make your writing sound stilted. Be mindful of your audience and context, and consider simpler alternatives if appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "manifestly foolish" functions as an adverb-adjective combination, modifying a noun or pronoun to express an action or idea that is not only unwise but evidently so. As Ludwig AI confirms, the usage is correct, as illustrated in the example from The New Yorker.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

33%

Encyclopedias

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "manifestly foolish" is a grammatically sound phrase used to express a clear and obvious lack of wisdom. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, and while not overly common, it appears in reputable sources like The New Yorker and The Guardian. Its formal tone makes it suitable for news, academic writing, and professional contexts. Remember to use it judiciously to avoid sounding stilted, and consider alternatives like "obviously unwise" in less formal situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

obviously unwise

Replaces "manifestly" with "obviously", maintaining the same level of clarity but with a slightly less formal tone.

patently absurd

Substitutes both words for stronger terms, indicating a high degree of ridiculousness that is easily perceived.

clearly idiotic

Replaces "manifestly" with "clearly" and "foolish" with "idiotic", increasing the intensity of the criticism.

blatantly stupid

Similar to "clearly idiotic", this option intensifies the foolishness, suggesting a lack of intelligence is obvious.

plainly imprudent

Replaces "foolish" with "imprudent", shifting the focus to a lack of caution or wisdom in the action.

evidently unwise

Uses "evidently" to replace "manifestly" and "unwise" to replace "foolish", resulting in a slightly more formal tone.

undeniably senseless

Emphasizes the lack of reason or logic behind the action, making it clear that it's without merit.

unquestionably misguided

Suggests that the action is based on poor judgment or faulty reasoning, leaving no room for doubt.

demonstrably silly

Replaces both words for slightly less formal terms, while maintaining the sense of obvious foolishness.

outright foolish

Replaces "manifestly" with "outright", reducing the formality while maintaining the meaning.

FAQs

How can I use "manifestly foolish" in a sentence?

You can use "manifestly foolish" to describe something that is clearly or obviously foolish. For example, "His decision to invest all his savings in a failing business was manifestly foolish."

What is a less formal alternative to "manifestly foolish"?

Alternatives like "obviously unwise" or "clearly idiotic" can be used in less formal contexts while conveying a similar meaning.

What is the difference between "manifestly foolish" and "patently absurd"?

"Manifestly foolish" implies a clear lack of wisdom, while "patently absurd" suggests a high degree of ridiculousness that is easily perceived. The latter has a stronger connotation.

Is "manifestly foolish" appropriate for all types of writing?

While grammatically correct, "manifestly foolish" is relatively formal. It's more suited for academic, professional, or journalistic writing than casual conversation or informal contexts.