really ridiculous

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "really ridiculous" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to emphasize the absurdity or unreasonableness of a situation or statement. Example: "The idea that we could finish the project in one day is really ridiculous."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

It's really ridiculous.

The New York Times

It gets really ridiculous.

The Guardian - Arts

I'm really ridiculous.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

"It's really ridiculous," she said.

The New York Times

Now that seems really ridiculous.

The Guardian - Music

Nick calls some of it "really ridiculous".

The Guardian - Music

Mr. Armstrong said: "It's really ridiculous.

The New York Times

"Seven to nine levels is really ridiculous," she said.

The New York Times

GARTH The lesbian stalker was really ridiculous for me.

The New York Times - Arts

"But that being said, it's a really ridiculous thing to say you're not a feminist".

Independent

"I literally took really, really ridiculous cuts at a lot of forehands," he said.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "really ridiculous" to emphasize the extreme nature of something you find absurd or unreasonable. It works well in both spoken and written contexts where you want to convey a strong sense of disbelief or amusement.

Common error

While "really ridiculous" is acceptable, avoid stacking multiple intensifiers (e.g., 'very really ridiculously absurd'). This can weaken your writing and sound less sophisticated. Choose a single, strong adjective or adverb instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "really ridiculous" functions as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to express a high degree of absurdity or unreasonableness. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's used to emphasize how something is considered foolish or nonsensical.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Wiki

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "really ridiculous" is a grammatically sound and commonly used adjective phrase that serves to emphasize the absurdity or unreasonableness of something. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. While its register leans towards neutral to informal, it appears frequently in news and media sources, making it suitable for a wide range of contexts. When writing, be mindful of overusing intensifiers and consider stronger, more sophisticated alternatives like "utterly absurd" or "completely ludicrous" in more formal settings. Overall, "really ridiculous" is an effective way to express disapproval, disbelief, or amusement when faced with something exceptionally silly or nonsensical.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

genuinely absurd

Highlights the authenticity of the absurdity.

completely ludicrous

Highlights the laughable and unreasonable nature of something.

utterly absurd

Emphasizes the complete lack of sense or reason.

absolutely preposterous

Stresses the outrageous and unacceptable nature of a situation.

patently absurd

Focuses on how obviously foolish something is.

thoroughly unreasonable

Emphasizes the lack of reason or justification.

quite nonsensical

Focuses on the lack of logical sense.

downright silly

Highlights the foolishness or lack of seriousness.

truly outlandish

Emphasizes the bizarre and unconventional aspect.

plain foolish

Stresses the simplicity and obviousness of the foolishness.

FAQs

How can I use "really ridiculous" in a sentence?

You can use "really ridiculous" to describe something that is extremely absurd or unreasonable. For example, "The suggestion that we should all work through the night is "really ridiculous"."

What are some alternatives to "really ridiculous"?

Some alternatives to "really ridiculous" include "utterly absurd", "completely ludicrous", or "absolutely preposterous". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "really ridiculous" in formal writing?

While "really ridiculous" is generally acceptable, it might be considered somewhat informal. In highly formal contexts, consider using a more sophisticated alternative like "patently absurd" or "thoroughly unreasonable".

What's the difference between "really ridiculous" and "somewhat ridiculous"?

"Really ridiculous" indicates a much stronger degree of absurdity than "somewhat ridiculous". "Somewhat ridiculous" suggests something is mildly absurd, while "really ridiculous" emphasizes that it's exceptionally foolish or unreasonable.