Used and loved by millions
Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
absence of reasoning
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The phrase "absence of reasoning" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where logical thought or justification is lacking. Example: "The decision was made in the absence of reasoning, leading to confusion among the team."
✓ Grammatically correct
News & Media
Science
Alternative expressions(20)
absence of logic
paucity of logic
irrationality
illogicality
failure of logic
reasoning deficit
lack of rationale
absence of inference
folly
absence of relation
absence of insight
absence of justification
absence of argument
lack of justification
want of reason
absurdity
absence of rationality
absence of substantiation
absence of reason
absence of consideration
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
1 human-written examples
There appears to be a total absence of reasoning for their decision," Simson said.
News & Media
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
57 human-written examples
Further, due to the absence of a teleological reasoning measure explicitly focused on evolutionary medicine, we used responses to three questions on this topic (out of a corpus of 12 questions) to assess students' tendency to believe that evolution is directed towards a goal.
33 Based on the reported presence or absence of indicators, Bayesian reasoning is applied to calculate the likelihood of 60 possible cause-of-death categories compatible with the International Classification of Diseases V.10.
The breathtaking absence of logic in this line of reasoning can only lead one to believe that he is a man filled with irrational fear and hatred.
News & Media
They must examine the pros and cons of every choice with their reasoning, but in the absence of feeling they see little reason to pick one or the other".
News & Media
Consistent with the tenets of cognitive experiential self theory (Epstein, 1994), higher rational scores were significantly associated with openness to experience, conscientiousness, open-minded thinking, superior reasoning, the absence of neuroticism and the lack of superstitious beliefs.
Applying the same parsimonious reasoning, the absence of RNase5 in five species (gibbon, naked mole rat, guinea pig, dog, giant panda, and African elephant) and the absence of RNase7/8 in three species (mouse, rat, and dog) can be explained by at least four and two independent gene loss events, respectively.
Science
An advantage of DL queries lies in the absence of free variables and the natural way of reasoning over taxonomic hierarchies.
Science
In the section on Hume's Rule of Reasoning (4.5), the significance of the absence of an equivalent to Newton's rule 4 in Hume's thought is explored.
Science
In the absence of such a single measure, legal reasoning must often and in very hard cases, usually be content to show that two or three alternative interpretations are distinguished from an indefinitely large number of other interpretations by being correct, that is, not wrong (albeit not uniquely correct).
Science
By similar reasoning, in the absence of known potential harm, consumer access to risk information that might, or might not, motivate healthy behavior can be justified.
Science
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
When using "absence of reasoning", ensure the context clearly indicates what should logically be present or expected. This enhances clarity and emphasizes the deficiency.
Common error
Avoid using "absence of reasoning" merely to express disagreement with an opinion. Instead, reserve it for situations where there is a clear and demonstrable lack of logical justification or factual basis.
Source & Trust
83%
Authority and reliability
4.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "absence of reasoning" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It denotes the lack or non-existence of logical thought processes. This is validated by Ludwig AI.
Frequent in
Science
35%
News & Media
35%
Formal & Business
10%
Less common in
Encyclopedias
5%
Wiki
5%
Reference
5%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
In summary, "absence of reasoning" is a grammatically sound and relatively common phrase used to describe the lack of logical thought or justification in a given situation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it functions as a noun phrase and tends to appear in neutral to formal contexts, particularly within scientific, news, and business-related content. While alternatives like "lack of logical thought" and "dearth of rationale" exist, the choice depends largely on stylistic preferences and the specific nuance intended. Be mindful to use this phrase when there is a clearly demonstrable lack of logical justification rather than as a general expression of disagreement.
More alternative expressions(10)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
lack of logical thought
Focuses specifically on the absence of logical thought processes.
want of justification
Highlights the deficiency in providing reasons or evidence.
dearth of rationale
Emphasizes the scarcity of a coherent explanation or principle.
paucity of logic
Stresses the limited presence of logical elements.
lack of sound judgment
Indicates a deficiency in making well-reasoned decisions.
irrationality
Directly points to the state of being devoid of reason.
illogicality
Highlights the quality of not adhering to logical principles.
failure of logic
Focuses on the unsuccessful application of logical principles.
reasoning deficit
Highlights the inability to use the logical part of the brain when making decisions.
intellectual deficiency
A more generic term that may include a lack of reasoning.
FAQs
How can I use "absence of reasoning" in a sentence?
You can use "absence of reasoning" to describe a situation where there is a lack of logical thought or justification. For example, "The decision was made in the absence of reasoning, leading to confusion".
What are some alternatives to "absence of reasoning"?
Alternatives include "lack of logical thought", "want of justification", or "dearth of rationale" depending on the specific context.
Is it more appropriate to say "absence of reasoning" or "lack of reasoning"?
Both "absence of reasoning" and "lack of reasoning" are grammatically correct and can be used interchangeably. The choice often depends on stylistic preference, although "lack of reasoning" is more frequently used.
What is the difference between "absence of reasoning" and "absence of logic"?
While closely related, "absence of reasoning" refers specifically to a lack of coherent thought processes, whereas "absence of logic" implies a broader violation of logical principles or rules. Reasoning involves the application of logic.
Editing plus AI, all in one place.
Stop switching between tools. Your AI writing partner for everything—polishing proposals, crafting emails, finding the right tone.
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
83%
Authority and reliability
4.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested