illogical arguments

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "illogical arguments" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing reasoning or claims that lack coherence or rationality. Example: "During the debate, he presented several illogical arguments that failed to convince the audience."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

It would be immoral for anyone to put brakes on its further development based on illogical arguments.

The New York Times

Unsettled by the "illogical" arguments presented therein, she turned to "the classic response used by frustrated people through history: I started a parody Twitter account".

The Guardian - Books

The play ripples with nonsensical dialogue, silly misunderstandings, pointless quibbles, inconsequential mutterings, illogical arguments, empty promises, and the occasional nod toward suicide.

The Guardian

The proponents of a ban on cats qat may be well intentioned, but rely on a mixture of exaggerated, selective, anecdotal, prejudiced and most frequently erroneous and illogical arguments.

The Guardian - Opinion

Whereas "Illiberal Education," the book that made Mr. D'Souza a conservative star back in 1991, had some illuminating points to make about the excesses of political correctness on college campuses, this embarrassing volume is an out-and-out partisan screed made up of illogical arguments, distorted and cherry-picked information, ridiculous generalizations and nutty asides.

The New York Times - Books

No quickie threats or illogical arguments.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

The tricks of using sonorous and solemn language, carefully gauged humour, artful congeniality, appropriate mixtures of logical and illogical argument, and flattery of a jury or a mob were formulated from the actual practices of successful lawyers, demagogues, and politicians.

Encyclopedia Britannica

But the space shuttle has been justified as a vehicle to reach the space station, which is a completely circular and illogical argument.

Forbes

Actually, even children wouldn't make such a stupid, illogical argument.

Huffington Post

I mean, besides classic hedging when caught in an illogical argument?

Huffington Post

The governor further denounced Paul's "illogical argument" and called into question his ability to take on America's enemies.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Pair this phrase with verbs like "dismiss", "refute", or "present" to describe the lifecycle of a poor debate point.

Common error

Avoid using "illogical arguments" simply because you disagree with the opponent's premise. An argument can be logical (valid) even if its starting points are factually wrong. Reserve "illogical" for instances where the reasoning steps themselves are broken.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "illogical arguments" serves as a noun phrase consisting of an attributive adjective ("illogical") modifying a plural common noun ("arguments"). In linguistic data from Ludwig, it typically functions as the direct object of a verb or the object of a preposition, often identifying the subject of a critique.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

15%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Social Media

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "illogical arguments" is a precise linguistic tool used to denote reasoning that lacks coherence or follows a fallacious path. Data from Ludwig AI indicates that it is a common staple in high-level discourse, particularly within elite journalism like The New York Times and The Guardian. While it is grammatically straightforward, its power lies in its ability to succinctly dismiss faulty claims. Writers should use it when they want to emphasize a structural failure in reasoning rather than a simple factual error. It remains a robust choice for any context requiring critical analysis and the refutation of unsound points.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

flawed logic

Points directly to the structural errors in the thinking process.

unsound arguments

A formal term indicating the premises are false or the logic is invalid.

fallacious reasoning

Focuses specifically on the presence of logical fallacies within a debate.

irrational claims

Emphasizes that the statements lack reason or sanity rather than just structure.

invalid conclusions

Shifts the focus from the process of arguing to the final result.

incoherent lines of reasoning

Emphasizes a lack of clarity and connection between thoughts.

spurious reasoning

Suggests the logic is not only wrong but also deceptive or illegitimate.

nonsensical points

A more informal or dismissive way to say the arguments make no sense.

groundless assertions

Highlights that the arguments lack any evidentiary basis.

preposterous arguments

Increases the intensity, suggesting the claims are absurd or laughable.

FAQs

How to use "illogical arguments" in a sentence?

You can use it to critique a debate, such as: "The committee dismissed the proposal because it was supported by several <a href="/s/illogical+arguments" target="_blank" rel="alternative">illogical arguments that lacked empirical evidence."

What can I say instead of "illogical arguments"?

Depending on the severity, you could use "<a href="/s/fallacious+reasoning" target="_blank" rel="alternative">fallacious reasoning" for formal errors or "<a href="/s/flawed+logic" target="_blank" rel="alternative">flawed logic" for general mistakes.

What is the difference between "illogical arguments" and "invalid arguments"?

In formal logic, an "<a href="/s/invalid+argument" target="_blank" rel="alternative">invalid argument" specifically means the conclusion does not follow from the premises, while "illogical arguments" is a broader, more common term for any reasoning that defies common sense or reason.

Is "illogical arguments" considered formal English?

Yes, it is perfectly appropriate for academic, professional, and journalistic contexts, as seen in sources like The New York Times and The Guardian.