flawed reasoning

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "flawed reasoning" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It is usually used to describe faulty or incorrect reasoning in an argument or decision-making process. Example: The jury was swayed by the prosecutor's flawed reasoning, leading to an unjust conviction. In this example, "flawed reasoning" is used to describe the prosecutor's faulty logic that influenced the jury's decision.

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

Formal & Business

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

Coombs is trying to show, as he put it in a pretrial filing, that Manning did "the right thing for the right reason but under flawed reasoning," and that if the Army didn't stop him, it was in part its own fault.

Huffington Post

It's a lazy argument with flawed reasoning.

Independent

Nonetheless, the lower courts embraced this flawed reasoning.

The New York Times

So why use such flawed reasoning when it comes to media violence?

The New York Times

But I really get shocked when brilliant minds espouse that flawed reasoning," he said.

The Guardian

That's an understandable response, and a typical one, but it springs from flawed reasoning.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

Unfortunately, his claim is based more on flawed qualitative reasoning than on quantitative analysis.

Coastal Engineering

After five years of often bitter internal debate, the Justice Department concluded in a report released Friday that the lawyers who gave legal justification to the Bush administration's brutal interrogation tactics for terrorism suspects used flawed legal reasoning but were not guilty of professional misconduct.

The New York Times

WASHINGTON — After five years of often bitter internal debate, the Justice Department concluded in a report released Friday that the lawyers who gave legal justification to the Bush administration's brutal interrogation tactics for terrorism suspects used flawed legal reasoning but were not guilty of professional misconduct.

The New York Times

That study has been criticized by many, including the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, because of flawed statistical reasoning.

Johns Hopkins University

Immediately following the FCC's vote, advocacy group Free Press also announced plans to sue the FCC, citing, "Chairman Pai's deeply flawed legal reasoning on several points".

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When analyzing an argument, explicitly identify the specific steps in the reasoning that are flawed, rather than just labeling the entire argument as having "flawed reasoning".

Common error

Avoid attributing "flawed reasoning" to an entire group or ideology based on the actions or statements of a few individuals. Focus on the specific instances of faulty logic instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "flawed reasoning" functions as a noun phrase, where the adjective "flawed" modifies the noun "reasoning". It describes the state or quality of the reasoning process being defective or incorrect. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is used to denote faulty or incorrect logic in an argument or decision-making process.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Academia

22%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

9%

Wiki

7%

Encyclopedias

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "flawed reasoning" is a commonly used and grammatically correct phrase that describes faulty or incorrect logic. As Ludwig AI confirms, it serves to critique errors in someone's line of thought and is applicable across various contexts, from academic discourse to news reporting. When using the phrase, ensure you can pinpoint the exact steps or assumptions within the flawed reasoning, and be specific. Alternatives like "faulty logic" or "unsound logic" can be used to convey similar meanings. Remember to avoid overgeneralization when attributing flawed reasoning, and aim for precision in your critiques. With its frequent use and varied applications, mastering the use of "flawed reasoning" helps you express ideas in academic, news, scientific and formal context with better accuracy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

faulty logic

Emphasizes the incorrectness of the logical process.

unsound logic

Highlights the lack of solid foundation in the reasoning.

fallacious reasoning

Specifically points to the presence of fallacies in the argument.

weak argument

Focuses on the overall strength of the argument being diminished by the poor reasoning.

illogical thinking

Highlights the absence of logical consistency.

invalid reasoning

Indicates that the reasoning does not follow valid rules of inference.

specious reasoning

Suggests that the reasoning appears correct but is actually flawed.

deficient logic

Emphasizes that logic is lacking or inadequate.

questionable logic

Indicates that the logic is subject to doubt or scrutiny.

dubious rationale

Focuses on the rationale behind a decision or action being questionable.

FAQs

How can I identify "flawed reasoning" in an argument?

Look for logical fallacies, unsupported claims, inconsistencies, and biases in the argument. Scrutinize the assumptions made and the evidence presented.

What are some alternatives to saying "flawed reasoning"?

You can use alternatives like "faulty logic", "unsound logic", or "fallacious reasoning", depending on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "flawed reasoning" in formal writing?

Yes, "flawed reasoning" is appropriate for formal writing when discussing errors in logic or argumentation. However, ensure that you provide specific examples to support your claim.

What's the difference between "flawed reasoning" and "incorrect conclusion"?

"Flawed reasoning" refers to the process of thinking that leads to a conclusion, while "incorrect conclusion" refers to the outcome itself. You can have flawed reasoning even if you arrive at a correct conclusion, and vice versa.