nonsense

USAGE SUMMARY

"nonsense" is a perfectly valid word to use in written English.
It is often used to describe something (usually an idea or suggestion) which is wrong, foolish, or completely impractical. For example: "His suggestion to paint every house in the town a different color was complete nonsense."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

That is nonsense.

The New York Times

It is nonsense.

The New York Times - Sports

"It's nonsense.

The New York Times

"I recognise that this latest nonsense from the Mail [on Sunday] is not about me or my work; it's a skirmish in a war with the BBC," she told the Guardian.

The Guardian - Books

"Going green and protecting the environment did not hurt the economy, it's a bunch of nonsense".

The Guardian - Film

This will stop the hacker seeing anything useful as it will all be garbled nonsense passing over the network.

The Guardian - Tech

No one could have predicted this when the former Cardiff manager was recruited, even if the nonsense surrounding Whelan's defence of the FA charges his new manager was facing did not get the partnership off to the best possible start.

The Guardian - Sport

"The worry that Hungary could be a Trojan horse for the Russians in the EU is just nonsense," said Kovács.

The Guardian

The inclusion of Ukip to the exclusion of others is complete nonsense whichever way one cuts it.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

The governor's work leading New Jersey through the recovery from the storm, which damaged more than 360,000 homes and businesses, helped cement his national reputation as a no-nonsense, hard-driving governor willing to work closely with Democrats to get things done.

The Guardian

I just love the air of no-nonsense she exudes, and invariably agree with her ruthlessly to-the-point assessment of the team she has been shadowing.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "nonsense", consider the context and audience to ensure the level of formality is appropriate. While widely understood, it can be perceived as dismissive or informal in certain settings. Instead, use more appropriate options like "absurd", "implausible" or "illogical".

Common error

Avoid using "nonsense" excessively in academic or professional writing. Although commonly understood, it might undermine the credibility of your work. Opt for more precise and professional terms such as "fallacy" or "inaccuracy" instead.

Linguistic Context

The word "nonsense" primarily functions as a noun, referring to spoken or written words that lack meaning or are deemed foolish. Ludwig provides examples where "nonsense" is used to dismiss ideas or claims.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the term "nonsense" is a very common noun used to dismiss something as untrue, meaningless, or foolish. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent appearance in the news. While versatile, "nonsense" should be used judiciously, especially in formal writing. Consider alternatives like "rubbish", "absurdity", or "fallacy" based on the desired formality and specific meaning. When in doubt, choosing a more precise term can enhance the clarity and impact of your writing. Remember that while widely understood, "nonsense" can undermine the credibility of formal pieces.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

rubbish

Replaces "nonsense" with a British English term indicating something of poor quality or untrue.

balderdash

Employs a more old-fashioned and humorous term for "nonsense".

hogwash

Substitutes "nonsense" with an informal term suggesting deceptive or exaggerated claims.

poppycock

Replaces "nonsense" with a dismissive term, often used to reject an idea as foolish.

twaddle

Offers a gentler alternative to "nonsense", implying trivial or foolish talk.

drivel

Indicates that the "nonsense" is particularly tedious or meaningless.

garbage

A more direct and less formal replacement for "nonsense".

crap

Uses a vulgar term to express a stronger sense of disapproval of the "nonsense".

bullshit

Replaces "nonsense" with an even stronger, vulgar term implying dishonesty.

absurdity

Substitutes "nonsense" with a term highlighting the illogical or ridiculous nature of something.

FAQs

How can I use "nonsense" in a sentence?

"Nonsense" can be used to dismiss statements or ideas as untrue or foolish. For instance, "His claims about alien abduction are complete nonsense."

What are some alternatives to using "nonsense"?

Depending on the context, alternatives include "rubbish", "balderdash", "absurdity", or "hogwash". Each carries a slightly different connotation.

Is it appropriate to use "nonsense" in formal writing?

While "nonsense" is widely understood, it's generally better to use more formal and precise terms like "fallacy", "inaccuracy", or "absurdity" in formal writing.

What's the difference between "nonsense" and "rubbish"?

"Nonsense" is a general term for meaningless or untrue statements. "Rubbish", primarily used in British English, also means "nonsense" but can additionally imply something of poor quality.