Cool MateNonsense vs What a crock of shit
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Nonsense
Top 2,000 (common)C1noun
What a crock of shit
VulgarBeyond 10,000 (less common)
Most formal: NonsenseMost common: Nonsense
| Nonsense | What a crock of shit | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈnɒnsns/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈnɑːnsens//ˈnɑːnsns/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //ˈwɒt ə krɒk əv ʃɪt//🇺🇸 //ˈwɑt ə krɑk əv ʃɪt// |
| Meaning | Words or ideas that don't make sense. | A phrase used to say something is nonsense or untrue. |
| Example | The statement he made was complete nonsense and had no basis in reality. | When I heard his excuse, I thought, 'What a crock of shit!' |
| Register | Neutral | Vulgar |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Beyond 10,000 (less common) |
| CEFR level | C1 | - |
| Part of speech | noun | |
| Collocations | absolute, arrant, complete, spout, talk, put up with, nonsense about, a load of nonsense, a lot of nonsense, make a nonsense of something, absolute, arrant, complete, spout, talk, put up with, nonsense about, a load of nonsense, a lot of nonsense, make a nonsense of something, absolute, arrant, complete, spout, talk, put up with, nonsense about, a load of nonsense, a lot of nonsense, make a nonsense of something | what a load of crap, pure nonsense, complete rubbish, utter bullshit |
| Antonyms | sense, reason, logic | - |
| Common mistakes | 'Nonsensical' is sometimes confused with 'nonessential' (they mean different things)., Some learners forget to use 'nonsense' as a noun (e.g., saying 'that's nonsense' instead of 'that is nonsensical')., Confusing 'nonsense' with 'gibberish' (which refers to incomprehensible speech). | Using it in formal writing., Confusing it with 'what a load of rubbish'., Not understanding it is considered vulgar. |
| Usage notes | Use 'nonsense' to describe something silly or illogical. It's suitable for both casual and serious contexts, but can sound harsh if addressing someone's opinion directly. | This phrase is informal and often used to express disbelief or disdain in casual conversations. It's not suitable for formal settings. |
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Frequently asked questions: Nonsense vs What a crock of shit
What's the difference between Nonsense and What a crock of shit?
Nonsense: Words or ideas that don't make sense. What a crock of shit: A phrase used to say something is nonsense or untrue.
Which is more formal: Nonsense and What a crock of shit?
Nonsense is the most formal of these.
Which is more common: Nonsense and What a crock of shit?
Nonsense is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Nonsense: The statement he made was complete nonsense and had no basis in reality. What a crock of shit: When I heard his excuse, I thought, 'What a crock of shit!'
Can I use Nonsense and What a crock of shit interchangeably?
Not always. Nonsense and What a crock of shit 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.