which was absurd

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "which was absurd" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation, statement, or action that is unreasonable or nonsensical. Example: "The proposal to cut funding for education, which was absurd, sparked outrage among the community."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

All of which was absurd rubbish, racist alarmist bunkum.

The Guardian - Opinion

"When we invested, the market was ascribing no value to the Nook business, which was absurd".

The New York Times

V.H.: Which was absurd, because we didn't apply to any of their rules.

The New York Times - Magazine

At first, it was a little red fez, which was absurd.

The New Yorker

"[Those 70s feminists] they wanted me to put my dungarees on, and write agitprop and eat pussy, and to say it was better than cock, which was absurd.

The Guardian - Books

Some began comparing Ant and Dec with Morecambe and Wise, which was absurd even on the most superficial level: there was no straight man and no funny man.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

Except for the writing, which is absurd.

The New York Times

He wanted a misdemeanor, which is absurd in this case".

The New York Times

Increments equate experience with ability, which is absurd.

The Guardian

Now the government thinks science must bring only income and profit, which is absurd".

Independent

"Some have been accusing me of setting back feminism 100 years, which is absurd," she said.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When employing "which was absurd", ensure the context clearly establishes what you're referring to, maintaining clarity and preventing ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid excessive use of "which was absurd" in formal or academic writing. While effective for expressing strong disagreement, overuse can undermine objectivity. Opt for more nuanced and less emotionally charged phrases like "which was illogical" or "which was questionable" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "which was absurd" functions as a nonrestrictive relative clause, providing additional commentary on a preceding noun or clause. It expresses a strong sense of disagreement or disbelief. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically sound and usable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

29%

Encyclopedias

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "which was absurd" serves as a nonrestrictive relative clause, expressing strong disagreement or disbelief. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. While the phrase appears across various contexts, it is notably frequent in News & Media sources and less common in formal business settings. When writing, use "which was absurd" to counter ideas or actions you find illogical, ensuring clarity and context. Avoid overuse in formal writing, opting for more neutral phrases like "which was questionable". As this guide has shown, the phrase is valuable for conveying a sense of disbelief in various settings, but should be used thoughtfully to maintain the desired tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that was ridiculous

Emphasizes the silliness or foolishness of something.

that was preposterous

Highlights the outrageous or shocking nature of something.

that was ludicrous

Focuses on the laughably unreasonable aspect.

that was nonsensical

Stresses the lack of logic or sense.

that was unreasonable

Emphasizes the lack of fairness or justification.

that was farcical

Suggests a situation that is a mockery or sham.

that was insane

Implies a level of irrationality bordering on madness.

that was unbelievable

Highlights the difficulty in accepting something as true or reasonable.

that made no sense

Directly states the lack of comprehensibility.

that defied logic

Focuses on the contradiction of logical principles.

FAQs

How can I use "which was absurd" in a sentence?

The phrase "which was absurd" is used as a relative clause to express disagreement or disbelief regarding a prior statement or situation. For example: "The suggestion that we should ignore safety regulations, "which was absurd", was immediately rejected."

What are some alternatives to "which was absurd"?

Alternatives to "which was absurd" include "that was ridiculous", "that was preposterous", or "that was ludicrous". The choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it correct to say "that was absurd" instead of "which was absurd"?

Yes, "that was absurd" is a correct and often more concise alternative to "which was absurd". The choice depends on whether you need to integrate the phrase as a relative clause within a larger sentence.

What's the difference between "which is absurd" and "which was absurd"?

"Which is absurd" is used when referring to something currently happening or a general truth. "Which was absurd" refers to something that happened in the past. For example: "His claim that the earth is flat, "which is absurd", continues to be debated" versus "His claim last year that the earth was flat, "which was absurd", is now largely forgotten".