logical meaning

USAGE SUMMARY

The term "logical meaning" is perfectly valid in written English, and can be used to refer to the intended, rational, or reasonable interpretation of a sentence or phrase.
It is often used in discussions of logic or semantics, but can also be used in everyday writing to clarify the intended message of a sentence. Example: When Sarah said she was "under the weather," she meant she was feeling sick. However, Jack took it to have a different logical meaning and assumed she was feeling down emotionally.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

Our brains are exceptional creators of logical meaning — even when it's not quite the intended one.

The New Yorker

The idea is to focus on those variables that have some logical meaning rather than being statistical artifacts.

The New York Times

In this way, Dalí theorised, "one could subsequently try to ruin systematically the logical meaning of all the mechanisms of the rational practical world".

The Guardian - Books

The policy-driven categorization of 'voluntary' return has therefore lost much of its logical meaning.

Comparative Migration Studies

In his personal notes Lask forcefully asserts that "a purely logical meaning of nature must be absolutely denied" (Lask 1924, 272).

SEP

Additionally, the logical meaning "is composed of the functional and semantic relations that make up the logic of natural language" (Halliday 1994, p. 216).

Functional Linguistics

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

Example 1 illustrates how experiential and logical meanings become more metaphorical.

Functional Linguistics

Liu & O'Halloran (2009) argue that image text relations are metafunctionally integrated across experiential, textual and logical meanings at the discourse stratum.

Functional Linguistics

The rest of the theoretical system, including sentences using theoretical or unobservable terms (like electron or force) would then either be meaningful because they could be reduced to observations, or they had purely logical meanings (called analytic, like mathematical identities).

SEP

SFL postulates language as a meaning making semiotic potential that embodies three kinds of language metafunctions: ideational oriented towards the field of discourse and construed by the experiential and the logical meanings, the interpersonal meaning oriented towards the tenor of discourse, and the textual oriented towards the mode of discourse.

Functional Linguistics

The recursive feature of the logical meanings forms the rationale that the logical metafunction can induce logical development through the recursion of the paratactic and hypotactic relations, and "set up logical-semantic relationships between one clausal unit and another" (Halliday 2003).

Functional Linguistics

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "logical meaning" when you want to emphasize the rational and coherent interpretation of something, as opposed to emotional or subjective interpretations. Ensure the context supports this emphasis.

Common error

Avoid assuming that every statement has a clear "logical meaning". Sometimes, communication relies heavily on emotional context, and focusing solely on the literal interpretation can lead to misunderstandings. Consider the speaker's intent and tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "logical meaning" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It identifies a specific type of meaning derived through reason and deduction. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

35%

News & Media

30%

Encyclopedias

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "logical meaning" is a grammatically sound phrase used to denote the rational and coherent interpretation of something. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage spans across various domains, with a stronger presence in academic, scientific, and news-related contexts. While the phrase itself is straightforward, its application requires careful consideration to ensure the emphasis on reason is appropriate and doesn't overshadow other potential interpretations. Related phrases like "rational meaning" or "coherent interpretation" can offer nuanced alternatives depending on the specific context. Understanding the distinction between "logical meaning" and emotional intent is crucial for effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

rational meaning

Focuses more on the reasoning aspect of the meaning.

coherent interpretation

Emphasizes the understandability and consistency of the meaning.

sensible interpretation

Highlights the reasonableness and practicality of the meaning.

reasonable sense

Stresses the intelligibility and acceptability of the meaning.

intelligible significance

Focuses on the clarity and importance of the meaning.

comprehensible denotation

Emphasizes the understandability and direct reference of the meaning.

valid interpretation

Highlights the correctness and justification of the meaning.

sound interpretation

Highlights that the interpretation is firm and reliable.

justifiable sense

Emphasizes the defensibility and rationale behind the meaning.

plausible implication

Focuses on the believability and suggested meaning.

FAQs

How can I use "logical meaning" in a sentence?

You can use "logical meaning" to discuss the rational or intended interpretation of a statement. For example, "The "logical meaning" of her statement was clear, despite her emotional delivery."

What is an alternative to using the phrase "logical meaning"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "rational meaning", "coherent interpretation", or "sensible interpretation".

What's the difference between "logical meaning" and "intended meaning"?

"Logical meaning" refers to the rational interpretation based on the words themselves, while "intended meaning" encompasses the speaker's purpose, which may include non-literal elements. You can infer the "intended meaning" through tone and context.

Is it always possible to determine the "logical meaning" of a statement?

No, sometimes statements are ambiguous or rely on implicit understandings. In such cases, determining the "logical meaning" may require additional context or clarification.