illogical reason

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "illogical reason" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a rationale or justification that lacks logical coherence or sense. Example: "His argument was based on an illogical reason that failed to convince anyone in the debate."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

For some inexplicable (not to mention illogical) reason, I always thought that the faster we got where we were going physically, the faster she'd get to where she needed to be mentally or emotionally.

The New York Times

Because they refuse to make their own iPad app for some seemingly illogical reason.

TechCrunch

For one, red carpeting oozes trashy nouveau riche sensibilities, and the wall paper, for some completely illogical reason, reminds me of the movie Beetlejuice.

TechCrunch

But for some illogical reason, I'd never thought the locker rooms would be co-ed, even though it makes logical sense.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

People don't resist change for illogical reasons.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

No one adheres strictly to either philosophy, and it turns out we can be nudged one way or the other for illogical reasons.

The New York Times

My theory is that most of them oppose it (not all do, by the way) for illogical reasons, four in number.

The New Yorker

"We're also seeing more people turning to us who have been sanctioned for seemingly illogical reasons and we're helping people who cannot afford the bedroom tax but are unable to move house".

Independent

Mike Schwarz, a solicitor for Bindmans – the law firm representing about 110 of the UK Uncut protesters – said he thought the arrests and prosecutions "appeared to be carried out for political and illogical reasons".

Independent

Mould said food banks were helping more people who had had their benefit suspended "for seemingly illogical reasons" or who could not afford to pay the bedroom tax but were unable to move to a smaller home.

The Guardian

"We're talking about mums not eating for days because they've been sanctioned for seemingly illogical reasons or people leaving hospital after a major operation to find that their benefits have been stopped or delayed.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Pair "illogical reason" with specific examples or explanations to illustrate exactly why the reason is flawed. This provides stronger support for your claim and enhances reader understanding.

Common error

Avoid using "illogical reason" when you actually mean an unreasonable or undesirable outcome. An illogical reason is a flawed explanation, while an unreasonable outcome is a result that is unfair or disproportionate, regardless of the reasoning behind it.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "illogical reason" functions as an adjective-noun combination describing a justification that lacks coherence. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's used to highlight flawed or nonsensical rationales, evident in the examples provided.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

25%

Encyclopedias

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "illogical reason" is a grammatically correct way to describe a rationale that lacks sense. Ludwig AI validates its usage in reputable sources like The New York Times and TechCrunch, predominantly in News & Media and Academia contexts. While relatively rare, its function is to express disagreement or critique of a flawed justification. For alternative expressions, consider phrases like "irrational motive" or "unfounded rationale", adjusting the choice based on the specific nuance required. When employing "illogical reason", provide concrete examples to substantiate your critique.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

irrational motive

Focuses on the underlying drive being unreasonable, rather than the justification itself.

unfounded rationale

Emphasizes the lack of a solid base or evidence for the given reason.

groundless justification

Highlights that the reason lacks any real substance or support.

fallacious reasoning

Indicates that the reason is based on a flawed or deceptive argument.

specious explanation

Suggests that the reason appears plausible but is actually false.

unreasonable basis

Highlights the lack of sound judgment or fairness in the foundation of the reason.

absurd premise

Focuses on the starting point of the reasoning as being ridiculous or nonsensical.

invalid argument

Indicates that the structure of the reasoning is flawed, leading to an unsound conclusion.

senseless cause

Emphasizes that the reason behind something is without purpose or meaning.

implausible pretext

Suggests that the reason is offered as a cover for something else and is not believable.

FAQs

How can I use "illogical reason" in a sentence?

You can use "illogical reason" to describe a justification that doesn't make sense or follow a logical pattern. For example: "The company's decision to cut funding was based on an "illogical reason" that confused investors."

What are some alternatives to "illogical reason"?

Some alternatives to "illogical reason" include "irrational motive", "unfounded rationale", or "fallacious reasoning". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it redundant to say "illogical reason", since a reason is supposed to be logical?

While reasons are ideally logical, the phrase "illogical reason" is used for emphasis or clarity when highlighting that a stated reason fails to meet that standard. It underscores the flawed nature of the justification.

What is the difference between "illogical reason" and "unreasonable reason"?

"Illogical reason" refers to a reason that doesn't make logical sense, while "unreasonable reason" suggests a reason that's excessive or unfair. For example, if someone is punished harshly for a minor offense, the reason may be deemed an unreasonable one.