does it follow that

USAGE SUMMARY

"Does it follow that" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used to ask if a certain conclusion is logical based on a given set of evidence or facts. For example, "The suspect committed the crime. Does it follow that they are guilty?".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

And, if it is, does it follow that globalisation has been a failure because its benefits have been pinched by the rich?The evidence that the rich have done best is certainly compelling.

The Economist

But does it follow that state power is always and only repressive?

The Guardian - Books

Does it follow that brevity and well-balanced history are mutually contradictory?

The New York Times - Books

Does it follow that her cover glorifies war instead of condemning it?

The Guardian - Music

Nor does it follow that particular historical contingencies are a necessary feature of the solution.

The New York Times - Books

Does it follow that by dishonoring himself, Mr. Clinton has harmed trust in the Presidency?

The New York Times

Does it follow that more power should be given to these institutions?

The Economist

Does it follow that whoever discovered the incompleteness of arithmetic is the referent of "Gödel"?

The New York Times

Still less does it follow that other countries' farm-support regimes would be on the wrong side of WTO law.

The Economist

Nor does it follow that, in cases of Presidential impeachment, the Justices ought to abandon their Constitutional responsibilities because the Senate has precipitated a crisis.

Cornell University

If God is love, does it follow that love is God? "Love bade me welcome: yet my soul drew back, Guilty of dust and sin".

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "does it follow that" to introduce a question about the logical validity of an inference. It helps to critically examine assumptions and conclusions drawn from given information.

Common error

Avoid using "does it follow that" to assert a conclusion directly. Instead, use it to pose a question that challenges the logical connection between premises and conclusions. For instance, instead of saying "The data is flawed; does it follow that the entire study is invalid", ask "The data is flawed; "does it follow that" the entire study is invalid?".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "does it follow that" functions as an interrogative phrase used to question the validity of a logical inference. It introduces a query about whether a particular conclusion is a necessary or logical consequence of preceding statements or evidence. This is supported by Ludwig and its examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

33%

Academia

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "does it follow that" is a grammatically sound and frequently used interrogative phrase that questions the validity of a logical inference. As confirmed by Ludwig, it serves to challenge assumptions and encourage critical thinking across a variety of contexts, including news, science, and academia. While its register is generally neutral, it's crucial to use it in question form rather than as a direct statement to maintain its proper function. By using related phrases and understanding its implications, writers can ensure clarity and precision in their communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Can it be inferred that

Emphasizes the process of drawing a conclusion from available information.

Does this imply that

Focuses on the suggestion or indication of a consequence.

Is it logical to conclude that

Highlights the reasoning and logical connection leading to a conclusion.

Does that suggest that

Implies a hint or indirect indication leading to a certain outcome.

Can we assume that

Poses a question about the validity of a particular assumption based on the given premise.

Is the necessary consequence

Highlights the inevitable result of something.

Does the evidence support

Focuses on the strength of the evidence in backing a claim.

Is it reasonable to say

Asks if the statement is valid.

Do these facts entail

Checks for a logical consequence.

From this, can we gather

Questions whether it's possible to collect or infer any additional information.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "does it follow that" in a formal context?

In formal writing, you can replace "does it follow that" with phrases like "can it be inferred that", "does this imply that", or "is it logical to conclude that" for a more sophisticated tone.

What's the difference between "does it follow that" and "does it imply that"?

"Does it follow that" questions the logical validity of a conclusion based on given premises, while "does it imply that" focuses more on whether something suggests or hints at a particular outcome. The former is about logical consequence, the latter about suggestion.

How to use "does it follow that" in a sentence?

Use "does it follow that" to introduce a question that challenges the validity of an inference. For example: "Given the evidence, "does it follow that" the defendant is guilty?"

Is "does it follows that" grammatically correct?

No, the correct phrasing is ""does it follow that"". The verb "follow" should be in its base form after "does".