obviously crazy

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "obviously crazy" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone or something that is clearly irrational or nonsensical, often in a casual or informal context. Example: "His idea to jump off the roof with a parachute seemed obviously crazy to everyone in the room."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

Which is obviously crazy.

Independent

He's obviously crazy".

The New York Times

Some are obviously crazy about her.

The New York Times

We were obviously crazy, he said, and he approved.

The New York Times

Jason Clarke is Howard, the more obviously crazy hillbilly brother.

The Guardian - Film

Opponents of further enlargement of the EU may be wrong, but they are not obviously crazy.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

It's obviously a crazy idea but we think it can be huge.

Forbes

It will obviously be crazy in the British media between now and Friday, but when I reached the last four on four occasions it was a lot easier than people think to block it all out.

BBC

That's obviously a crazy amount to pay for a speaker bar and a subwoofer, but Bose is expensive for a reason: the speakers pump out good enough audio in a package that requires absolutely no fiddling.

TechCrunch

I obviously went crazy.

Huffington Post

EYE: I'm obviously a Crazy Sexy fan.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "obviously crazy" to express a strong sense of disbelief or disagreement with an idea or action. It's most effective when you want to convey a sense of incredulity.

Common error

While acceptable in many situations, "obviously crazy" might be too informal for academic papers or professional reports. Opt for alternatives like "patently absurd" or "clearly irrational" in those settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "obviously crazy" functions as an adverb-adjective combination modifying a noun or pronoun. It serves to emphasize the extreme irrationality or absurdity of something. Ludwig confirms that it is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "obviously crazy" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to describe something as clearly irrational or absurd. As Ludwig indicates, its usage is correct and frequently appears in news and media, though it also finds its way into academic and wiki contexts. While effective for expressing strong disbelief or amusement, it's important to consider the formality of the situation and opt for alternatives like "clearly insane" or "patently absurd" in more formal settings. Be mindful of overusing the phrase, especially in contexts where sensitivity is paramount.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

clearly insane

Directly addresses the mental state, suggesting a lack of sanity.

undeniably irrational

Stresses the lack of reason and logic.

unmistakably mad

Emphasizes that the craziness is clear and cannot be mistaken.

patently absurd

Emphasizes the absurdity to a greater degree, implying something is ridiculously unreasonable.

certainly nonsensical

Focuses on the lack of sense or meaning.

evidently deranged

Suggests a state of mental imbalance or madness.

blatantly ridiculous

Highlights the ridiculousness, making it impossible to ignore.

distinctly lunatic

Implies a wild or eccentric form of craziness.

plainly ludicrous

Focuses on the silliness and absurdity of the subject.

manifestly preposterous

Indicates something is utterly absurd and beyond belief.

FAQs

What does "obviously crazy" mean?

The phrase "obviously crazy" means something is clearly irrational, nonsensical, or foolish. It suggests the idea or action in question is easily perceived as being mad or absurd.

How can I use "obviously crazy" in a sentence?

You can use "obviously crazy" to describe ideas, actions, or even people. For example, "His plan to swim across the ocean was "obviously crazy"."

Which is more formal, "obviously crazy" or "clearly insane"?

Clearly insane is generally considered more formal than "obviously crazy". "Obviously crazy" is suitable for informal contexts, while "clearly insane" might be preferable in professional or academic writing.

Are there situations where using "obviously crazy" would be inappropriate?

Yes, using "obviously crazy" could be inappropriate in situations where sensitivity and tact are required. In formal or professional environments, or when discussing serious topics, it's best to use more neutral and respectful language.