am a rationalist

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "am a rationalist" is not correct in standard written English as it lacks a subject.
You can use it in a sentence where the subject is clear, such as "I am a rationalist." Example: "As someone who values logic and reason, I am a rationalist in my approach to problem-solving."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

I am a rationalist.

The New York Times

Waiting for the funeral to start, we had not an argument (which would have been against family tradition) but an exchange which demonstrated that, if I am a rationalist by my own standards, I am a fairly feeble one by his.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Like I say, this is a rationalist argument.

Independent

Becka, on the other hand, was a rationalist; all problems could be diagnosed, therefore fixed.

The New Yorker

He is a rationalist cognitive therapist, who bullies her into exposing her inner demons.

The Guardian - Film

Trudeau was a rationalist and a liberal individualist, whose greatest achievement was the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

The New Yorker

The inappropriately named Faith is a rationalist with a sharp intellect, which her naturalist cleric father refuses to acknowledge.

The Guardian - Books

To think otherwise is a "rationalist" error; and O'Hara succumbs at times to misplaced enthuasiasm for reducing judgment to algorithms.

Independent

He was a rationalist, that is to say, a man who believed that architecture should be subject to laws as strict, logical and absolute as those governing science.

The New York Times - Arts

Much as he loved fine craftsmanship, Jacobsen was a rationalist, who believed that every element of a design project should be determined by its intended purpose.

The New York Times - Arts

Yet "system" is a rationalist's word used by analysts and policymakers, and taking a "whole system approach" is something that planners do when they are aligning processes.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always include a subject (e.g., "I", "He", "She") before the verb "am/is/are" for grammatical correctness.

Common error

Avoid starting a sentence with "am/is/are" without a clearly defined subject. This often leads to grammatically incomplete sentences. Always specify who or what "is" or "am" something.

Linguistic Context

The phrase functions as an incomplete predication, lacking a subject to perform the action or state. Ludwig AI points out that it requires a subject pronoun for grammatical correctness. As it stands, it's a fragment rather than a complete sentence.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Encyclopedias

17%

Science

17%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "am a rationalist" is grammatically incorrect due to the missing subject. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's typically used incorrectly. While it appears in several reputable sources like The New York Times and The New Yorker, it is crucial to include a subject pronoun (e.g., "I", "he", "she") to create a complete and grammatically sound sentence. More appropriate alternatives include "I am a rationalist", "I consider myself a rationalist", or "I'm a rationalist". When writing, ensure clarity and correctness by avoiding incomplete phrases.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I'm a rationalist

Uses a contraction to make the sentence more concise.

I consider myself a rationalist

Adds a subject and verb to make a complete sentence.

I identify as a rationalist

Uses a different verb to express self-identification.

I embrace rationalism

Uses the verb "embrace" to indicate acceptance of rationalism.

I am someone who values reason

Rephrases to focus on valuing reason rather than a label.

I adhere to rationalist principles

Focuses on adhering to principles instead of a direct self-description.

I subscribe to rationalist thought

Expresses agreement with rationalist ideas.

I am inclined towards rational thinking

Emphasizes the inclination towards rational thought.

Rationalism guides my thinking

Highlights rationalism as a guiding principle.

My thinking is rooted in rationalism

Indicates that rationalism is the foundation of one's thought process.

FAQs

How can I correct the phrase "am a rationalist"?

The phrase "am a rationalist" is incomplete without a subject. You can correct it by adding a subject pronoun, such as "I", resulting in "I am a rationalist".

Is it always wrong to start a sentence with "am"?

Starting a sentence with "am" is grammatically incorrect unless it's part of a question or a shortened response where the subject is understood. For example, "Am I late?" is correct, but "Am a rationalist" is not.

What is a more formal way to say "I'm a rationalist"?

More formal alternatives to "I'm a rationalist" include "I consider myself a rationalist" or "I identify as a rationalist". These phrases are more explicit and less conversational.

What does it mean to be a rationalist?

Being a rationalist means you prioritize reason and logic in your thinking and decision-making. You can express this by saying, "I am someone who values reason".