a little reasoning

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a little reasoning" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a small amount of logical thought or justification in a discussion or argument. Example: "Before making a decision, let's apply a little reasoning to understand the implications of our choices."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Blank, angry stares, admonishment, and a question about my allegiance all followed my futile attempt to follow this throwaway remark up with a little reasoning.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Kelsea Stahler of the New York Post noted that when it was revealed that Jack accidentally married Liz that it "fell a little flat", reasoning "I mean, Jack accidentally married [Liz], this scene could have reached so many levels of insanity, but instead they settled for Jonathan's (Maulik Pancholy) piercing squeal before moving onto the rest of the show".

Wikipedia

At a hearing on Tuesday morning, Judge Ural D. Glanville of Fulton County Superior Court provided little reasoning for granting the hospital's request to dismiss the patients' lawsuit.

The New York Times - Health

See articleWith little reasoning, the Supreme Court of the Maldives nullified the first round of an election, just before a run-off.

The Economist

At the oral argument, Justice David Souter called the administration's reasoning "a little scary".

The New York Times

I did feel the reasoning was a little drastic but could be believable to a degree.

The Guardian

Motor Trend was the only magazine to pick the Camaro over the Mustang, though its reasoning was a little abstract.

The New York Times

President Obama's second reasoning is a little clearer.

Huffington Post

You'll have to excuse me if I sound a little dubious about Chase's reasoning behind the policy change.

Huffington Post

And if you're wondering why Hannah's style is always a little unkempt, Heart explains the reasoning and not-so-secret details about it.

Huffington Post

The reasoning is a little too clever, if you cannot find the story you want in China, blame it on Chinese censorship and make the censorship the story.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a little reasoning", ensure the context clearly indicates that a small degree of logical thought is being applied, not a comprehensive analysis. For example: "Let's apply "a little reasoning" to this problem before jumping to conclusions."

Common error

Avoid using "a little reasoning" when the situation actually requires a thorough, in-depth analysis. It can downplay the complexity and importance of the thought process. For instance, instead of saying ""a little reasoning" led to this discovery", opt for "careful analysis" or "rigorous reasoning".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a little reasoning" functions as a noun phrase, typically used as the object of a verb or preposition. It describes a small amount of logical thought or justification. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Science

26%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a little reasoning" is a grammatically correct noun phrase indicating a small amount of logical thought. Ludwig AI identifies its usage as appropriate across diverse sources, although it's most frequently encountered in news and media. When using this phrase, ensure the context aligns with a situation where a small degree of reasoning is sufficient, and be mindful of alternatives like "a touch of logic" or "a bit of rationale" for stylistic variation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a touch of logic

Replaces "reasoning" with "logic" to emphasize the logical aspect, and "little" with "touch" as a metaphor for a small amount.

a bit of rationale

Substitutes "reasoning" with "rationale", offering a more formal alternative, and "little" with "bit" for a minor change.

some slight justification

Replaces "reasoning" with "justification" and "little" with "slight" to indicate a minor degree of justification.

a shade of logic

Uses "shade" instead of "little" to describe a barely noticeable amount of logical thought.

a hint of justification

Employs "hint" to suggest a subtle and indirect form of justification instead of direct reasoning.

a small amount of logic

Uses a more literal description of quantity using "small amount" instead of "little".

a dash of rationale

Substitutes "little" with "dash" to imply a very small, almost negligible, quantity of reasoning.

a degree of logic

Replaces "little" with "degree" to suggest a quantifiable, though small, amount of logical consideration.

a modicum of reason

Offers a more formal substitute, using "modicum" and "reason" to suggest a limited but present element of logical thought.

a flicker of logic

Changes "little" to "flicker" to represent a momentary or unstable instance of reasoning.

FAQs

How can I use "a little reasoning" in a sentence?

You can use "a little reasoning" to indicate a small amount of logical thought or justification. For example, ""A little reasoning" can help avoid rash decisions."

What are some alternatives to "a little reasoning"?

You can use alternatives like "a touch of logic", "a bit of rationale", or "some slight justification".

Is "a little reasoning" the same as "extensive reasoning"?

No, "a little reasoning" implies a minimal amount of logical thought, while "extensive reasoning" suggests a thorough and detailed analytical process. They are not interchangeable.

When is it appropriate to use "a little reasoning" versus "deep thought"?

"A little reasoning" is suitable for simple decisions or initial considerations, while "deep thought" is appropriate when tackling complex problems that require significant mental effort and analysis.