fallacious

USAGE SUMMARY

Fallacious is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when someone has presented an argument that is based on a false or misleading idea. For example: His reasoning is fallacious; instead of basing his argument on facts, he is relying on flawed assumptions.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

To think that Singapore would lose any of its hard-won economic development if its citizens enjoyed more freedom of expression is fallacious.

The Economist

The argument is fallacious.

SEP

The idealistic view that for these items to be is to be perceived is rejected as fallacious.

SEP

Gaunilo concludes that Anselm's reasoning is fallacious.

SEP

The result, says Whitehead, is that the commonly made distinction between technical education and liberal education "is fallacious.

SEP

To argue that the experience is illusory because there is a corresponding brain state is fallacious.

SEP

Moore and Russell found two main arguments for idealism to be fallacious.

SEP

Although some maintain that certain patterns of inference from an "is" to an "ought" are valid (see Thomson 1990, 1 33, for discussion), inferring that something is even prima facie intrinsically wrong from the particular fact that it is not natural certainly seems fallacious.

SEP

When we investigate the trajectory of a certain planet, for instance, we first eliminate points that are fallacious from the observation records and then fit a smooth curve to the remaining ones.

SEP

The objection is that the Phenomenal Principle is fallacious.

SEP

We turn now to the more substantial issue, namely, why the inference from the consistency of AXR to that of AXG is in fact fallacious from Frege's point of view.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "fallacious", ensure that you can clearly identify the specific flaw in reasoning or evidence that makes the argument or statement unreliable.

Common error

Avoid simply labeling an argument as "fallacious" without explaining the specific logical fallacy it commits. Providing the specific type of fallacy strengthens your critique.

Linguistic Context

The word "fallacious" functions primarily as an adjective. It is used to describe something, typically an argument or a piece of reasoning, as being based on a fallacy or containing a logical error. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

57%

News & Media

41%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the adjective "fallacious" is used to describe arguments or reasoning tainted by logical flaws. According to Ludwig AI, it's a grammatically sound choice for written English. It serves to identify weaknesses in logic and is often employed in formal contexts like academic and scientific writing, as well as in news and media. While "fallacious" is commonly used, it's crucial to pinpoint the specific logical fallacy instead of just labeling an argument as such. Alternatives include "misleading" and "erroneous". Remember to use "fallacious" when pinpointing the exact flaw in an argument.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

misleading

Focuses on the act of leading someone to a wrong conclusion, either intentionally or unintentionally.

erroneous

Highlights the presence of error or inaccuracy.

incorrect

A general term for something that is not in accordance with fact or truth.

false

Indicates something that is untrue or not in accordance with reality.

spurious

Suggests that something is not genuine, authentic, or valid.

deceptive

Emphasizes the intent to mislead or create a false impression.

unsound

Refers to something that is not based on valid reasoning or evidence.

flawed

Highlights the presence of imperfections or defects that undermine validity.

invalid

Indicates that something does not meet the required conditions or criteria for correctness.

unfounded

Suggests that something lacks a solid basis or supporting evidence.

FAQs

How is "fallacious" typically used in a sentence?

"Fallacious" is used to describe arguments or reasoning that contain errors or are based on flawed logic. For example, "His argument is "fallacious" because it relies on anecdotal evidence."

What are some synonyms for "fallacious"?

Synonyms for "fallacious" include "misleading", "erroneous", "incorrect", and "spurious". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What's the difference between "fallacious" and "false"?

"False" simply means untrue or incorrect, while "fallacious" specifically refers to an argument or reasoning that contains a flaw in its logic, even if the conclusion happens to be true. An argument can be "fallacious" even if its conclusion is not "false".

When is it appropriate to use "fallacious" instead of "mistaken"?

Use "fallacious" when referring to an argument or reasoning process that contains a logical flaw. "Mistaken" is more general and applies to any belief or statement that is incorrect, regardless of the reasoning behind it.