sense of funny

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sense of funny" is not correct in standard written English.
A more appropriate expression would be "sense of humor." Example: "Her sense of humor always brightens up the room."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Wiki

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Even if all you do is cobble together your own funny plan based on one admired trait from each person, you'll be improving your sense of funny tremendously.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Plenty of angst and waste right here in America, or, to be specific, the Manhattan and North Jersey of Lipsyteland, which is cracked in all three senses of funny, damaged and deranged.

The New York Times - Books

Still, it does add a sense of regality (funny that) to what is ostensibly a casual, staid look.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Donkey Kong, which débuted in 1981, had a story, a sense of humor, funny music (which Miyamoto helped write), and an ingenious game logic.

The New Yorker

So I wrote Tony Hogan to help her make sense of the funny, sometimes brutal, often joyful, bright, raw world she'd found herself in – for her and others to gain insight into that sort of life.

The Guardian - Books

Judith Mackrell's magnificent biography, Bloomsbury Ballerina (Weidenfeld & Nicolson, £25), makes sense of this funny little Russian doll whose off-kilter charisma fitted perfectly with new ideas about the modernist body in motion.

The Guardian - Books

The strange thing (in the sense of "not funny at all") is that Oliver Twist, a story about abandoned and unloved children resorting to street crime in order to survive, seems urgently contemporary.

The Guardian - Books

There is something funny about "1600 Penn," but mostly in the sense of odd.

The New York Times - Arts

The real problem therefore with maintaining a happy marriage is this - that although the things you both found funny early on will remain so, the larger sense of what is funny will divide over time.

BBC

The great modernist endings are frequently comic, not in the sense of being actively funny but in reconciling and reuniting the action just past and the characters who played a part within it.

The New Yorker

Comic, that is, in the Dantesque sense of "comedy": not funny, but grandly, wryly, humanely perceptive about human weakness, vanity, anxiety.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the term "sense of humor" instead of "sense of funny" for grammatical correctness and clarity. "Sense of humor" is the established and widely understood phrase.

Common error

Avoid using "funny" as a direct substitute for "humor" in this context. While "funny" describes something amusing, "humor" refers to the broader ability to perceive and appreciate amusement. Saying someone has a "sense of funny" is non-standard.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sense of funny" attempts to describe an appreciation for or understanding of humor. However, it's grammatically incorrect and not standard usage. Ludwig suggests the correct term is "sense of humor". The existing examples in Ludwig highlight the misuse, indicating a need for correction.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Wiki

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

10%

Reference

10%

Encyclopedias

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while "sense of funny" might seem intuitively understandable, it's not grammatically correct. The correct phrase is "sense of humor". Ludwig confirms this, indicating the non-standard nature of the phrase. Using "sense of humor" ensures clarity and grammatical accuracy in describing someone's appreciation for comedy. Although some sources provide examples of "sense of funny", these are outweighed by the need for correct English usage. Remember to focus on humor and correct grammatical structure for clear communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sense of humor

Standard and widely accepted way to describe the ability to understand and appreciate humor.

appreciation for humor

Focuses on valuing and enjoying humor, rather than just understanding it.

comic sensibility

Emphasizes an innate understanding and responsiveness to comedy.

understanding of comedy

Highlights the intellectual aspect of comprehending comedic elements.

wit and humor

Combines clever expression (wit) with the broader concept of humor.

comedic perception

Stresses the ability to notice and interpret things in a comedic way.

ironic sense

Focuses on understanding and appreciating irony, a specific type of humor.

lighthearted outlook

Refers to a general disposition of finding humor in life, not just specific jokes.

jovial nature

Indicates a cheerful and friendly disposition, often associated with humor.

ability to find humor

Emphasizes the capability of discovering funny elements in different situations.

FAQs

Is it correct to say "sense of funny"?

No, the correct and commonly accepted phrase is "sense of humor". "Sense of funny" is not standard English.

What does it mean to have a "sense of humor"?

Having a "sense of humor" means you can understand and appreciate jokes, irony, and other forms of comedy. It reflects your ability to find things amusing.

What can I say instead of "sense of funny"?

The standard alternative is "sense of humor". Other related terms include "wit", "comedic sensibility", or "appreciation for humor".

How do I develop a better "sense of humor"?

Expose yourself to various types of comedy, observe how others use humor, and practice finding the amusing side of everyday situations. Understanding different comedic styles can also help.