that was insane

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "that was insane" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express astonishment or disbelief about an event or situation that was extreme or unexpected. Example: "After watching the final moments of the game, I turned to my friend and said, 'That was insane!'"

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

31 human-written examples

"When I got pole position in 2007, that was insane, and when I won in 2008, that was also insane.

Independent

An old Southern family, perfect in every way, except that there was one child that was insane.

The New Yorker

The New Yorker, September 1, 1934 P. 41 An old Southern family, perfect in every way, except that there was one child that was insane.

The New Yorker

Both Mrs. Clinton and Mr. Bishop voted to give President Bush a blank check to wage a war in Iraq that was insane and stupid from the outset.

The New York Times

By Thyra Samter Winslow The New Yorker, September 1, 1934 P. 41 An old Southern family, perfect in every way, except that there was one child that was insane.

The New Yorker

The end of Season 2 — that was insane.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

29 human-written examples

To me, that is insane.

The Guardian - Sport

"To most modern architects, that's insane".

The New York Times

It's the country that is insane".

The Guardian

"Yeah, that's insane," he added.

HuffPost

"That's insane.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "that was insane" to express strong surprise, disbelief, or excitement about something that has just happened. It's best used in informal contexts with people you know well.

Common error

Avoid using "that was insane" in formal writing or professional presentations. Opt for more sophisticated vocabulary, such as "extraordinary", "remarkable", or "unprecedented", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that was insane" functions as an exclamatory expression. It conveys a strong emotional reaction, typically astonishment, disbelief, or excitement. As seen in Ludwig, it is frequently used in response to surprising or shocking events.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Formal & Business

8%

Science

7%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "that was insane" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to convey strong feelings of surprise, disbelief, or excitement. According to Ludwig, it functions as an exclamatory expression, mostly used in informal contexts, but can also be found in news and media. While the phrase is acceptable, remember that it is more suited for casual conversations than formal writing. To expand your expressive range, consider alternatives like "that was unbelievable" or "that was crazy" depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that was crazy

A more general and versatile expression of surprise or disbelief.

that was unbelievable

Highlights the difficulty in accepting the event as true.

that was incredible

Conveys a sense of wonder and amazement, rather than disbelief.

that was beyond belief

Expresses a stronger sense of incredulity than "unbelievable".

that was absurd

Expresses a higher degree of unreasonableness or ridiculousness.

that was wild

Suggests an uncontrolled, exciting and somewhat chaotic event.

that was nonsensical

Emphasizes the lack of logical sense in the situation.

that was madness

Highlights the irrationality and chaotic nature of the event.

that was outrageous

Indicates a sense of shock and offense at the extreme nature of the event.

that was something else

A more understated way of expressing that something was remarkable or unusual.

FAQs

How can I use "that was insane" in a sentence?

You can use "that was insane" to express strong feelings about something surprising or shocking that happened. For example, "The ending of that movie was insane!"

What can I say instead of "that was insane"?

You can use alternatives like "that was unbelievable", "that was crazy", or "that was incredible" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "that was insane"?

It is generally appropriate to use "that was insane" in informal conversation with friends or family. It is less appropriate in formal or professional settings.

What's the difference between "that was insane" and "that was amazing"?

While both phrases express strong positive feelings, "that was insane" often implies surprise or disbelief, while "that was amazing" focuses on admiration or delight.