this is silly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "this is silly" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express that something seems foolish or unreasonable in a light-hearted or informal context. Example: "I can't believe we are arguing about which pizza topping is better. This is silly!"

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

Surely this is silly.

The New York Times

This is silly.

The New York Times

Some of this is silly.

The Economist

"This is silly," Smedile said.

The Washington Post

We know this is silly.

The New York Times

"Available at partspating -- oh, this is silly.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

This was silly, I kept telling myself.

The New York Times - Travel

This was silly, as well as offensive.

The Guardian - Music

Mr Bentsen said this was silly, and headed back to his cabin.

The Economist

All this woulda is silly.

The New York Times - Sports

There's no doubt about it, this bill is silly.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing, consider stronger alternatives like "this is absurd" or "this is ridiculous" for emphasis.

Common error

Avoid using "this is silly" in professional or academic settings where a more formal tone is expected. Opt for phrases like "this is unreasonable" or "this is illogical" instead.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "this is silly" is as a commentary phrase. As Ludwig AI illustrates, the expression is used to offer an opinion or judgment on a situation, action, or idea, deeming it foolish, illogical, or not worthy of serious consideration.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "this is silly" is a commonly used phrase to express that something is foolish or unreasonable. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically correct and most appropriately used in informal or neutral contexts such as news and media. When writing, consider the audience and adjust the tone accordingly, perhaps opting for stronger or more formal alternatives like "this is absurd" or "this is ridiculous" in certain contexts. Keep in mind that overuse in academic or professional writing may come across as unprofessional.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

this is ridiculous

Expresses a stronger sense of unacceptability and absurdity than the original phrase.

this is absurd

Implies a higher degree of illogicality and detachment from reality.

this is preposterous

Suggests something utterly foolish and outrageous, often deserving of scorn.

this is ludicrous

Highlights the ridiculous nature of something, often provoking laughter.

this is foolish

Directly points out the lack of wisdom or good sense in a situation.

this is nonsensical

Emphasizes the lack of meaning or logical coherence.

this is pointless

Focuses on the lack of a valuable outcome or purpose.

this is a waste of time

Highlights the unproductive nature of an activity.

this is insane

Suggests a high degree of irrationality or madness.

this is crazy

Implies an erratic or unpredictable nature.

FAQs

What does "this is silly" mean?

The phrase "this is silly" expresses the opinion that something is foolish, unreasonable, or lacking in good sense. It's a mild way to express disagreement or amusement.

What can I say instead of "this is silly"?

You can use alternatives like "this is ridiculous", "this is absurd", or "this is foolish" depending on the context.

Is "this is silly" appropriate for formal writing?

No, "this is silly" is generally considered informal. In formal writing, it's best to use more professional phrases like "this is unreasonable" or "this is illogical".

How do I use "this is silly" in a sentence?

You can use "this is silly" to express your opinion about a situation. For example, "Arguing over such a small detail? This is silly!"