nonsensical sentence

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "nonsensical sentence" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a sentence that lacks meaning or coherence. Example: "The phrase 'Colorless green ideas sleep furiously' is often cited as a nonsensical sentence in linguistic studies."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

At the start of "The Voices Within" (Basic), he also identifies himself as a voluble self-speaker, relating an incident where, in a crowded train on the London Underground, he suddenly became self-conscious at having just laughed out loud at a nonsensical sentence that was playing in his mind.

The New Yorker

Words like "near sighted" and "toes in sand" strung together to make the most nonsensical sentence that I never heard over the roar of excitement waving through my head.

Huffington Post

Ingraham's Taco Bell comments came after a rambling statement that attempted to meld her love of children and her opposition to illegal immigration into a coherent system of thought, but instead collapsed into a nonsensical sentence fragment.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

A 716-word essay he wrote that was padded with more than a dozen nonsensical sentences received a top score of 6; a well-argued, well-written essay of 567 words was scored a 5.

The New York Times

This way, you'll notice clumsy repetitions, nonsensical sentences, accidental rhyming or a phrase that's difficult to get your tongue round, and you'll get a sense of whether or not your dialogue sounds convincing.

The Guardian - Books

We hated the way he injected nearly nonsensical sentences into conversation in an effort to establish a catch phrase.

Forbes

A tumble of nonsensical sentences will spill from my throat!

Huffington Post

In a withering segment, the anchor likened Robertson to "an elderly relative who you only see at Thanksgiving" who is prone to blurting out "nonsensical sentences in between chewing on soft foods".

Los Angeles Times

On June 7, writer Ella Risbridger (@missellabell) realized that combining the nonsensical sentences she was tasked to translate in beginner Spanish on Duolingo, the popular language learning app, resulted in darkly foreboding poetry.

Vice

34 A balanced number of meaningful and nonsensical sentences are presented.

Clinical interventions in aging

If any one of the permutations does make sense, and subjects guess at 50% for the remaining three (nonsensical) sentences, the expected proportion of correct answers will be 62.5%.

Behavioral and Brain Functions

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use precise language after using the phrase "nonsensical sentence" to specify which part of the statement creates confusion for the reader.

Common error

Avoid labeling a sentence as "nonsensical" without providing specific examples or explanations of what makes it so. Explain what is unclear, illogical, or confusing about the sentence to provide constructive feedback.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "nonsensical sentence" functions as a noun phrase, where the adjective "nonsensical" modifies the noun "sentence". According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used to describe a sentence that lacks meaning or coherence.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "nonsensical sentence" is used to describe a sentence lacking meaning or coherence. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage, and is considered appropriate across various contexts, especially in News & Media and Science. When using the phrase, ensure to specify the precise elements that make the sentence nonsensical for clarity. Consider alternatives like "meaningless sentence" or "absurd sentence" for similar effect.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

meaningless sentence

Replaces "nonsensical" with a synonym emphasizing the lack of meaning.

absurd sentence

Substitutes "nonsensical" with a word highlighting the ridiculous nature of the sentence.

irrational sentence

Replaces "nonsensical" focusing on the lack of logical reasoning.

incoherent sentence

Emphasizes the lack of clarity and logical connection within the sentence.

unintelligible sentence

Highlights the difficulty in understanding the sentence.

gibberish sentence

Uses a more informal term to describe a sentence that is incomprehensible.

garbled sentence

Suggests the sentence is distorted and difficult to understand.

illogical statement

Replaces sentence to statement and "nonsensical" with a focus on logical flaws.

random string of words

Describes a sentence as a haphazard arrangement of words lacking coherence.

empty verbiage

Focuses on the sentence being verbose but lacking substance.

FAQs

How can I identify a "nonsensical sentence"?

A "nonsensical sentence" is characterized by a lack of clear meaning, logical coherence, or grammatical structure. It may contain contradictory elements, unrelated ideas, or vocabulary used in an inappropriate or incomprehensible way.

What are some alternatives to "nonsensical sentence"?

You can use alternatives like "meaningless sentence", "absurd sentence", or "incoherent sentence" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

How to correct a "nonsensical sentence"?

To correct a "nonsensical sentence", identify the source of the confusion. Check for grammatical errors, illogical connections, or unclear vocabulary. Reorganize the sentence for better clarity, replace jargon with common vocabulary, and establish logical connections between concepts.

Is it always wrong to use a "nonsensical sentence"?

While "nonsensical sentences" often indicate poor writing, they can sometimes be used intentionally for stylistic effect, such as in surrealist literature or experimental writing. However, this should be done deliberately and with a clear artistic purpose.