sheer foolishness

USAGE SUMMARY

"sheer foolishness" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation or action in which someone is behaving in a foolish and reckless manner. For example, "John's decision to quit his job and move to a new city was sheer foolishness."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

Or is it sheer foolishness to seem as if I'm encouraging anyone else to try to replicate this feat?

The New York Times

"Voodoo Science, a worthy successor to Gardners book, is chock-full of the latest pseudoscientific hoaxes, scams and cases of sheer foolishness.

The New York Times - Books

To delay withdrawal in the hope that an Iraqi government under a democratic constitution will emerge and end the civil war is sheer foolishness.

The New York Times

"For us to hope that the economy will improve tomorrow is sheer foolishness," Mr. Miller said in a speech explaining his vote.

The New York Times

For any of them to have come out and backed Trump's credibility against Comey's credibility would have taken an act of masochism, or sheer foolishness.

The New Yorker

But if class conflict came with the territory, the deeper fear was what the masses might do out of sheer foolishness.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

It's sheer madness.

The New York Times

His responses during these incidents went against cultural expectations for African-American athletes; Sports Illustrated's Daniel Coyle wrote that they "were regarded by all whites and many blacks as prideful foolishness, if not sheer lunacy".

Wikipedia

Rather, he is a passive, diligent character, who reacts rather than initiates, who winds up a victim not of his own narcissism or foolishness, but of others' folly and the sheer, stupid randomness of fate.

The New York Times - Books

Foolishness rules.

The New York Times

"Foolishness," he said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "sheer foolishness" to describe actions or decisions that are not only unwise but also lack any sound reasoning. This phrase carries a tone of strong disapproval.

Common error

Avoid using "sheer foolishness" in situations that only require a mild rebuke. The phrase implies a significant level of incompetence or recklessness, so it may be too harsh for minor errors in judgment.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sheer foolishness" functions as a noun phrase that typically serves as a subject complement or object, often expressing a strong negative evaluation of an action or idea. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "sheer foolishness" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase in English, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It serves to express strong disapproval of actions or ideas considered extremely unwise. While not frequently used (Uncommon frequency), the phrase appears mostly in news and media contexts. When using "sheer foolishness", be mindful of its intensity, as it implies a significant lack of judgment. Consider alternatives such as "utter stupidity" or "complete absurdity" to better suit the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

rank foolishness

Highlights the blatant and obvious nature of the foolishness.

downright foolishness

Emphasizes the undeniable and unambiguous quality of the foolishness.

utter stupidity

Emphasizes the complete lack of intelligence or reason behind an action or idea.

unadulterated foolishness

Highlights the purity and completeness of the foolishness, without any redeeming qualities.

complete absurdity

Highlights the ridiculous and nonsensical nature of something.

pure idiocy

Conveys a strong sense of foolishness, bordering on imbecility.

unmitigated foolishness

Stresses that the foolishness is not lessened or excused in any way.

absolute lunacy

Suggests a level of foolishness that is extreme and irrational, almost insane.

arrant nonsense

Focuses on the lack of sense and the erroneous nature of something.

plain silliness

Implies a lighter, less serious form of foolishness, more playful than harmful.

FAQs

How can I use "sheer foolishness" in a sentence?

You can use "sheer foolishness" to describe an action or idea that is completely lacking in good sense or reason. For example, "Investing all your money in a risky venture like that is "utter foolishness"".

What is a more formal way to express "sheer foolishness"?

While "sheer foolishness" is suitable for many contexts, a more formal alternative could be "profound imprudence" or "unmitigated folly", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

How does "sheer foolishness" differ from "simple mistake"?

"Sheer foolishness" implies a deliberate disregard for prudence and good judgment, suggesting a significant error in decision-making. A "simple mistake", on the other hand, is typically an unintentional error made without any intent to be reckless or imprudent.

What are some other phrases similar to "sheer foolishness"?

Similar phrases include "utter stupidity", "complete absurdity", and "absolute lunacy", each conveying a slightly different shade of meaning related to a lack of wisdom or good sense.