logical lapses

USAGE SUMMARY

"logical lapses" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are referring to any errors in logic or reasoning. For example, "He made a couple of logical lapses when he tried to explain his argument."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

"The decision has some major logical lapses," Mr. Lipson said.

The New York Times

Muhammad fought 19 military campaigns.The most irritating aspect of the book, however, is not its content, or its logical lapses, but its tone.

The Economist

In so doing, this chapter carefully traces the logical lapses and unsupported assumptions that facilitated the scalar shifts from empirical data collection, rangeland assessment, and rangeland regulation.

Pastoralism

Those two problems -- logical lapses and character inconsistency -- plague this episode.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

She tends to avoid the logical strictness and simplicity of such classical devices as unison (dancing the same movement at the same time) and canon (dancing the same movement, with a time lapse).

The Guardian

The plot is adequate, but Ms. Blanchett plays her character with such feeling and intelligence that you forgive the film its logical and narrative lapses.

The New York Times

For instance, did the fact that Demeter is the goddess of the harvest make it logical to make your Demeter a lapsed earth-mother type?

The New Yorker

Very schematically, these arguments for a theory of practical reasoning try to show that reasons brought to bear on choice must have some particular logical form, if action is not to lapse into something less than that.

SEP

And "second, there is no logical conception of 'proper' grammar as distinct from 'bad' grammar that people lapse into out of ignorance or laziness".

The New York Times - Books

The logical assumption is that a tennis player who now has just about everything and is about to become a father is ripe for a motivational lapse.

The New York Times - Sports

Seems logical.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When criticizing someone's argument, use "logical lapses" to specifically point out errors in their reasoning, rather than broadly labeling their entire argument as wrong.

Common error

Avoid using "logical lapses" when you actually mean memory lapses. Logical lapses refer to errors in reasoning, while memory lapses refer to failures in recall.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "logical lapses" functions as a noun phrase, typically used as the object of a verb or preposition. It refers to instances where reasoning or argumentation deviates from established logical principles. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "logical lapses" is a noun phrase used to identify errors in reasoning or argumentation. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. While relatively rare, the phrase appears in various contexts, including news, science, and formal writing. When using this phrase, ensure you're referring to errors in reasoning rather than other types of errors, such as memory lapses. Consider alternatives like "faulty reasoning" or "flaws in logic" for similar meanings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

faulty reasoning

Points to defects or errors in the way someone is thinking or forming conclusions, indicating that the process is flawed.

illogical arguments

Highlights arguments that do not follow the principles of logic, emphasizing their irrational or unreasonable nature.

flaws in logic

Indicates errors or defects within a system of reasoning, pointing to the structural weakness of an argument.

gaps in logic

Indicates missing steps or unsupported jumps in a line of reasoning, emphasizing incompleteness.

reasoning fallacies

Refers to defects in reasoning that render an argument invalid or unsound, highlighting the flawed process of arriving at conclusions.

fallacious thinking

Indicates a deceptive or misleading element in the thought process, suggesting that the reasoning is based on false premises.

inconsistencies in reasoning

Focuses on the presence of contradictory elements within a line of reasoning, emphasizing the lack of coherence.

invalid inferences

Refers to conclusions that do not logically follow from the premises, highlighting the disconnect between evidence and conclusion.

errors in deduction

Specifies mistakes made in the process of drawing conclusions from general principles, pinpointing where the reasoning went astray.

cognitive biases

Highlights systematic patterns of deviation from norm or rationality in judgment, which differs from "logical lapses" by focusing on mental shortcuts that can lead to perceptual distortion, inaccurate judgment, illogical interpretation.

FAQs

How can I identify "logical lapses" in an argument?

Look for inconsistencies, unsupported claims, or conclusions that don't follow from the evidence. Question assumptions and check if the reasoning aligns with established principles of logic.

What are some common examples of "logical lapses"?

Examples include making sweeping generalizations, attacking the person making the argument instead of the argument itself (ad hominem), and assuming that correlation equals causation.

What can I say instead of "logical lapses"?

You can use alternatives like "flaws in logic", "faulty reasoning", or "reasoning fallacies" depending on the context.

How can I avoid committing "logical lapses" in my own writing?

Carefully review your arguments, ensure your premises are sound, and check that your conclusions logically follow. Get feedback from others to identify potential weaknesses in your reasoning.