deductive reasoning

USAGE SUMMARY

'deductive reasoning' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to describe a type of logical reasoning from general to specific. For example: The detectives used deductive reasoning to determine the suspect's identity based on the evidence they found at the crime scene.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

And excels at deductive reasoning.

The New York Times - Books

So we typically indulge in inductive rather than deductive reasoning.

The Guardian - Books

The 75 others had to do with reading comprehension and deductive reasoning.

The New York Times

Bellin says that deductive reasoning will take one a fairly long way in poker.

The New Yorker

Deductive Reasoning Bankrate.com offers the wild and the wacky from the world of tax deductions.

The New York Times - Tech

It also set into motion the deductive reasoning process that is at the heart of epidemiology.

The New York Times - Magazine

There are several different forms of deductive reasoning, as used in different forms of reasoning problems.

Encyclopedia Britannica

However, such deductive approaches must differ from ordinary deductive reasoning in one important respect.

Encyclopedia Britannica

On the Jets' quarterback situation: "I mean, look, this is just like deductive reasoning.

The New York Times

Others restrict the term applied ethics to deductive reasoning from principles to cases.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

In our day-to-day, non-deductive reasoning, however, such logically loose principles appear to be quite useful.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "deductive reasoning" when you want to emphasize a reasoning process that starts with general principles and arrives at specific conclusions. Be sure the conclusion necessarily follows from the premises.

Common error

Avoid using "deductive reasoning" when the argument actually moves from specific observations to broader generalizations. That's induction, not deduction.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "deductive reasoning" functions as a noun phrase, often acting as the subject or object of a sentence. According to Ludwig AI, it describes a method of reaching a conclusion based on logical premises.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

44%

News & Media

31%

Encyclopedias

7%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "deductive reasoning" is a well-established and frequently used term that denotes a specific logical process moving from general principles to particular conclusions. As highlighted by Ludwig AI, it is considered grammatically correct and is widely employed across diverse fields, including science, news media, and encyclopedias. When using the term, ensure it accurately reflects a top-down reasoning approach to avoid confusion with "inductive reasoning". By following this advice, you can confidently and correctly utilize "deductive reasoning" in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

deductive logic

Focuses on the formal system underlying the reasoning process.

top-down reasoning

Highlights the direction of the reasoning process from general to specific.

logical deduction

Emphasizes the logical aspect of the deduction.

reasoning by deduction

A more verbose way of describing the process.

inferential reasoning

Broadens the scope to include all types of inference, including deduction.

drawing conclusions

Focuses on the outcome of the reasoning process rather than the method itself.

reasoning from principles

Highlights the use of general principles as a starting point.

applying logic

Focuses on the application of logical rules.

analytical thinking

Encompasses a broader range of thinking skills, including deduction.

systematic reasoning

Emphasizes the structured and methodical nature of the reasoning.

FAQs

How does "deductive reasoning" work in practice?

In practice, "deductive reasoning" involves starting with general statements (premises) and logically deriving a specific conclusion. If the premises are true, the conclusion must also be true. An example is: All men are mortal; Socrates is a man; therefore, Socrates is mortal.

What's the difference between "deductive reasoning" and "inductive reasoning"?

"Deductive reasoning" starts with general principles and leads to specific conclusions. "Inductive reasoning", on the other hand, starts with specific observations and leads to general conclusions or hypotheses.

When is it appropriate to use "deductive reasoning"?

Use "deductive reasoning" when you have established general principles or rules and want to apply them to specific cases to reach a certain conclusion. It's particularly useful in mathematics, logic, and certain areas of science.

What are some synonyms for "deductive reasoning"?

While there aren't perfect synonyms, you can use phrases like "deductive logic", "top-down reasoning", or "reasoning by deduction" to convey a similar meaning. However, each of these has slightly different nuances.