illogical reasoning

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "illogical reasoning" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a line of thought or argument that lacks logical coherence or soundness. Example: "His argument was based on illogical reasoning, making it difficult to take his claims seriously."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

The Pentagon's assertions, said China's state-run news agency, Xinhua, were "utterly cock-and-bull" and based on "a wild guess and illogical reasoning".

The Economist

It is insane and illogical reasoning, borne out of a stubborn resistance to "big government.

Huffington Post

If mom refuses to talk about it, will not let go of an old grudge, or has illogical reasoning for her dislike of you, it is time to wash your hands of her and the whole mess!

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

If you should happen to slip and say something about how illogical his/her reasoning is, act as if you misunderstood something, and agree with the teacher.

WikiHow

Fend's attorney, Michael E. Lang, dismisses such reasoning as illogical.

The Washington Post

The reasoning is illogical: Ford was not running for chef, and it was possible to extrapolate, from his positions, the real difference it would make for Mexican-Americans if he were President rather than Reagan or Carter.

The New Yorker

Instead, he has written a book that reads like a combination of White House talking points and a partisan brief on presidential prerogatives — a book that is strewn with preposterous assertions, contorted reasoning and illogical conclusions.

The New York Times - Books

OK, the real worst parts are the illogical nature of his reasoning with her, the medical hooey of his case, the assumption she cares about what anyone thinks of her at age 7 and about what BOYS think of her in particular, and that fact that she's already hella cute (not that that matters one bit, thank you very much).

Huffington Post

And because so many things in Beijing appeared to be completely illogical by some perverse inverted reasoning it seemed to make sense that the 944 would take such a wildly winding route.

Vice

In 2008, Smith's findings were called illogical and against scientific evidence-based reasoning and the doctor was disgraced.

Vice

Such responses are illogical and demonstrate the persistence of incorrect reasoning strategies.

CBE Life Sciences Education

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "illogical reasoning" to clearly and directly critique arguments or thought processes that deviate from established logical principles.

Common error

Avoid mistaking personal feelings or opinions for "illogical reasoning". Ensure that your critique is based on identifiable flaws in the logic, not simply disagreement or dislike.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "illogical reasoning" functions as a noun phrase, typically used to describe a process of thought or argumentation that deviates from established principles of logic. Ludwig examples show it being used to critique flawed arguments and decisions.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Wiki

33%

Science

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "illogical reasoning" is a grammatically correct and usable term to describe flawed or unsound logic. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. While categorized as rare, it appears across diverse sources like News & Media, Wiki and Science. When using "illogical reasoning", ensure your critique is rooted in identifiable logical flaws, rather than personal feelings. Alternatives include "faulty logic" or "irrational thinking", each emphasizing different aspects of flawed reasoning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Faulty logic

Focuses on the flawed nature of the logic itself.

Fallacious reasoning

Highlights the presence of fallacies or deceptive arguments.

Unsound reasoning

Emphasizes the lack of a solid foundation for the reasoning.

Irrational thinking

Shifts the focus to the lack of rationality in the thought process.

Defective logic

Indicates that the logic is broken or impaired.

Specious reasoning

Suggests that the reasoning appears correct but is actually false.

Flawed argumentation

Highlights the defects in the overall argument being presented.

Incoherent logic

Stresses the lack of clarity and order in the logical process.

Inconsistent reasoning

Implies a lack of logical consistency within the reasoning.

Absurd logic

Emphasizes the nonsensical or ridiculous nature of the logic.

FAQs

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

You can use "illogical reasoning" to describe arguments or decisions that do not follow a logical path. For example: "The company's decision to cut funding for research was based on "illogical reasoning"."

What's a simple way to describe "illogical reasoning"?

A simple way to describe "illogical reasoning" is to call it "faulty logic" or "irrational thinking", depending on whether you are talking about the argument itself or the thought process behind it.

Is there a difference between "illogical reasoning" and "fallacious reasoning"?

"Illogical reasoning" is a general term for flawed logic. "Fallacious reasoning" refers specifically to arguments that contain logical fallacies, which are deceptive or misleading arguments. So, all fallacious reasoning is illogical, but not all illogical reasoning is necessarily fallacious.

What are some alternatives to using the phrase "illogical reasoning" in my writing?

Depending on the nuance you want to convey, you could use alternatives like "unsound reasoning", "flawed argumentation", or "incoherent logic".