Cool MateFoolish vs This is nonsense
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Foolish
Top 2,000 (common)
This is nonsense
InformalTop 5,000 (fairly common)
Most formal: FoolishMost common: Foolish
| Foolish | This is nonsense | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //ˈfuːlɪʃ//🇺🇸 //ˈfuːlɪʃ// | 🇬🇧 //ðɪs ɪz ˈnɒnsəns//🇺🇸 //ðɪs ɪz ˈnɑːnsɛns// |
| Meaning | Not smart or sensible; lacking good judgement. | This is silly or lacks meaning. |
| Example | It was foolish to invest all his savings in that risky project. | When he said the earth is flat, I replied, 'This is nonsense.' |
| Register | Neutral | Informal |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 5,000 (fairly common) |
| Collocations | foolish mistake, foolish behavior, foolish decision, foolish question, foolish idea | utter nonsense, complete nonsense, absolute nonsense |
| Antonyms | wise, sensible, prudent, smart | - |
| Common mistakes | Confusing 'foolish' with 'silly' - 'foolish' implies a lack of wisdom while 'silly' is lighter., Using 'foolish' as a noun - it's strictly an adjective., Incorrectly spelling 'foolish' as 'foolosh'. | Using it in formal settings where a more polite expression is needed., Confusing it with 'This makes no sense,' which is more about clarity. |
| Usage notes | Use 'foolish' in both formal and informal contexts when describing decisions or actions that lack wisdom. Avoid using it in serious or sensitive situations where it might offend the person involved. | Used in casual conversation to express disbelief or frustration about something that seems illogical or unreasonable. |
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Frequently asked questions: Foolish vs This is nonsense
What's the difference between Foolish and This is nonsense?
Foolish: Not smart or sensible; lacking good judgement. This is nonsense: This is silly or lacks meaning.
Which is more formal: Foolish and This is nonsense?
Foolish is the most formal of these.
Which is more common: Foolish and This is nonsense?
Foolish is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Foolish: It was foolish to invest all his savings in that risky project. This is nonsense: When he said the earth is flat, I replied, 'This is nonsense.'
Can I use Foolish and This is nonsense interchangeably?
Not always. Foolish and This is nonsense are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.