nonsensical reason

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "nonsensical reason" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a justification or explanation that lacks logic or sense. Example: "His decision to quit his job without any backup plan was based on a nonsensical reason that no one could understand."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

If he or she gives a completely nonsensical reason, stay firm with your argument.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

THE WHY There are sensible and nonsensical reasons to grow one.

The New York Times

An entire crop of users who joke about the predictability of BET movies' opening sequences, the hilariously unique auntie swag of R&B singer Mary J. Blige, or the nonsensical reasons black people sometimes give for hanging up the phone all articulate and satirize their experiences without giving a point by point guide to their cultural references.

The Guardian - Opinion

As Justice Anthony Kennedy explained, a convict may understand that he is on death row because of a heinous crime but may, nonetheless, be delusional in believing that he is to be executed for a nonsensical or unrelated reason.

The New York Times

Manon's arrest (for stealing jewels, though none were seen) is made nonsensical, and with it the reason for her deportation to Louisiana.

The Guardian - Music

Her book is the story of a "near future" where pregnant women are dying from an incurable disease, praised by The Independent for being a "small, calm voice of reason in an nonsensical world".

Independent

Every day is another reason to celebrate some nonsensical thing, but this is a holiday the 21-and-over crowd can really get behind.

Huffington Post

One reason an underground brand sounds nonsensical is that countercultures are supposed to oppose the mainstream, and nothing is more mainstream than consumerism.

The New York Times - Magazine

One reason why war is a nonsensical "solution" to almost every problem the world is grappling with is that these problems tend to be interconnected and deeply tangled up at their roots.

Huffington Post

Forcing yourself to come up with a reason for something that seems nonsensical can actually help you release the anxiety around what you feel is a problem.

WikiHow

Belief and faith are such intoxicants that logical reason and facts become blurry and nonsensical.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider replacing "nonsensical reason" with stronger, more descriptive alternatives like "irrational rationale" or "absurd justification" for greater impact, depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Common error

Avoid simply stating that a reason is "nonsensical" without elaborating on why it lacks sense. Always provide specific details or examples to support your claim and make your critique more persuasive.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "nonsensical reason" functions as an adjective-noun pair used to describe a justification or explanation that lacks logic or coherence. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is usable in written English. It modifies the noun 'reason', indicating that it is devoid of sense. The WikiHow example illustrates its use in challenging an unfair assessment.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "nonsensical reason" effectively describes a rationale that lacks logic or coherence. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. While it's grammatically correct and understood across various contexts, it is relatively uncommon, primarily appearing in News & Media and Wiki sources. For stronger impact or increased formality, consider alternatives like "irrational rationale" or "absurd justification". When employing "nonsensical reason", ensure that the context provides sufficient detail to illustrate why the reason is flawed, as merely labeling a reason "nonsensical" without further explanation can weaken your argument.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

irrational rationale

Replaces "nonsensical" with "irrational" and "reason" with the more formal "rationale", maintaining the core meaning.

absurd justification

Substitutes "nonsensical" with "absurd" and "reason" with "justification", emphasizing the ridiculous nature of the explanation.

illogical explanation

Replaces "nonsensical" with "illogical" and "reason" with "explanation", highlighting the lack of logical coherence.

unfounded premise

Replaces "reason" with "premise", focusing on the lack of a solid base for the reasoning.

groundless cause

Replaces "nonsensical" with "groundless" implying lack of support or evidence.

frivolous pretext

Replaces "reason" with "pretext", suggesting that the reason is merely an excuse and "nonsensical" with "frivolous" which refers to something trivial or lacking seriousness.

preposterous motive

Substitutes "nonsensical" with "preposterous", emphasizing the absurdity and ridiculousness of the underlying motivation.

unreasonable ground

Emphasizes the unfairness or inappropriateness of the reason.

invalid argument

Shifts the focus to the flawed reasoning process rather than the reason itself.

specious excuse

Suggests the reason is deceptive and meant to conceal the real motive.

FAQs

How can I use "nonsensical reason" in a sentence?

You can use "nonsensical reason" to describe a justification or explanation that lacks logic or sense. For example: "His decision to quit his job was based on a "nonsensical reason" that no one could understand."

What are some alternatives to "nonsensical reason"?

Alternatives to "nonsensical reason" include "irrational rationale", "absurd justification", or "illogical explanation", depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "nonsensical reason"?

Use "nonsensical reason" when you want to emphasize that a particular reason or justification is completely lacking in logic, coherence, or common sense.

Is "nonsensical reason" too informal for formal writing?

While "nonsensical reason" is acceptable in most contexts, in formal writing, you might consider alternatives such as "irrational rationale" or "unfounded premise" for a more sophisticated tone.