that would be absurd

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "that would be absurd" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to suggest that an idea or action is unreasonable or illogical. For example: "His proposal is to drive to the beach in the middle of winter - that would be absurd!".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

26 human-written examples

OK, I didn't do any of that, because that would be absurd.

The Guardian - Tech

"People should not think that meat is like smoking – that would be absurd," said Key.

The Guardian

Not for a moment do I make a comparison with the possible break-up of the UK – that would be absurd – except in one regard.

The Guardian - Opinion

This back-to-basics mentality needn't mean rejecting any of the vast technological and social advances we've made: that would be absurd.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Meanwhile, the mantra that students must be "college- and career-ready," and the belief that their readiness can be effectively measured by testing, now reaches into the earliest of grades, with occasional results that would be absurd if they were not so sad.

The New Yorker

(The standardized tests emanate from the state, not from the city). Meanwhile, the mantra that students must be "college- and career-ready," and the belief that their readiness can be effectively measured by testing, now reaches into the earliest of grades, with occasional results that would be absurd if they were not so sad.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 human-written examples

Of course not--that would be absurd.

Huffington Post

It's a rap sheet that would be comically absurd if it wasn't so deadly serious.

The Guardian

In the ACA case, the text must be read in the context of other provisions that would be rendered absurd if subsidies were limited to state-operated exchanges.

The Washington Post

This is not to say the City should be Europe's only financial centre – that would be as absurd as saying the French should be the only winemakers.

The Guardian - Opinion

Tony Blair: Look, I'm not sitting here telling you the transport system is great, that would be an absurd thing to say.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "that would be absurd" to directly and concisely dismiss an idea as illogical or unreasonable, enhancing the clarity and impact of your argument.

Common error

While "that would be absurd" is acceptable in many situations, avoid overuse in highly formal or academic writing. Opt for more sophisticated vocabulary to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "that would be absurd" is to serve as a judgmental statement, expressing disagreement or dismissal of an idea or action. This phrase functions as a predicate adjective expressing a strong opinion. Ludwig shows many examples where the phrase is used to clearly and firmly reject something.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "that would be absurd" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase for expressing strong disagreement or dismissal of an idea. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and common usage across varied contexts such as news, science and academia. While versatile, it's essential to consider the formality of the setting, opting for more sophisticated language in highly formal situations. Alternatives like "that would be ridiculous", "that would be preposterous" or "that would be nonsensical" can be used to add nuance or formality as needed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that would be ridiculous

Replaces 'absurd' with 'ridiculous', indicating something laughable or unworthy of serious consideration.

that would be preposterous

Substitutes 'absurd' with 'preposterous', suggesting something utterly foolish and unreasonable.

that would be ludicrous

Employs 'ludicrous' instead of 'absurd', highlighting the nonsensical or laughable nature of something.

that would be nonsensical

Replaces 'absurd' with 'nonsensical', emphasizing the lack of logical sense.

that would be illogical

Substitutes 'absurd' with 'illogical', focusing on the lack of logical consistency.

that would be unreasonable

Replaces 'absurd' with 'unreasonable', stressing the lack of sound judgment or fairness.

that would be unthinkable

Substitutes 'absurd' with 'unthinkable', denoting something so outrageous or undesirable as to be beyond consideration.

that would be out of the question

Replaces "that would be absurd" with an idiom that means something is not a possibility.

that's beyond belief

Replaces "that would be absurd" with an idiom that means something is incredible.

that defies logic

Replaces "that would be absurd" with a phrase that underlines the lack of rationality.

FAQs

How can I use "that would be absurd" in a sentence?

You can use "that would be absurd" to express strong disagreement or to dismiss an idea as illogical. For example, "To suggest we ignore the evidence – "that would be absurd"".

What are some alternatives to "that would be absurd"?

Some alternatives include "that would be ridiculous", "that would be preposterous", or "that would be ludicrous", depending on the level of formality and emphasis you want to convey.

Is "that would be absurd" too informal for academic writing?

While generally acceptable, consider the specific context. In highly formal academic writing, stronger or more nuanced phrasing may be preferred. Alternatives like "that would be illogical" or "that would be unreasonable" can lend a more scholarly tone.

When is it appropriate to use "that would be absurd"?

It is appropriate to use "that would be absurd" when you want to directly and firmly reject an idea as illogical, unreasonable, or simply not worth considering. However, be mindful of your audience and the overall tone of your communication to ensure it aligns with expectations.