poor reasoning

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "poor reasoning" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a lack of logical thought or flawed arguments in someone's reasoning process. Example: "The conclusion he reached was based on poor reasoning, which undermined the validity of his argument."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

To attribute reasons to citizens on the basis of poor reasoning would arguably corrupt the process of public justification.

SEP

It is typically employed on the grounds that an individual's morally significant reasons may not be the same as the reasons she actually affirms, which are frequently based on poor information, poor reasoning or incoherent beliefs and desires.

SEP

It also causes dehydration, exacerbating the symptoms of hypothermia, including poor reasoning and drowsiness.

The Guardian

"It's hard to imagine a more effective combination of poor reasoning and bad policy making.

The Guardian

In both cases, poor reasoning could result in an undesirable outcome.

Procedia Technology

The explanation was dismissed by the recently retired Pooley, who wrote on Twitter that it was based on "poor reasoning.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

38 human-written examples

Higher experiential scores were associated with increased emotional expressivity, superstitious beliefs and poorer reasoning.

Personality and Individual Differences

It's piss-poor reasoning to argue that, because a lot of people have sacrificed and died in a war, the war should continue (with more people dying) to justify those previous sacrifices.

Huffington Post

Teaching student nurses to reason clinically is important as poor clinical reasoning skills can lead to "failure-to rescue" of deteriorating patients.

Nurse Education Today

Mora told me that the opinion was sophisticated but displayed "catastrophically poor legal reasoning".

The New Yorker

Problems resulted from a crisis of perception rather than from poor strategic reasoning.

Harvard Business Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When critiquing someone's reasoning, be specific about the flaws. Point out the exact logical fallacies or unsupported assumptions contributing to the "poor reasoning".

Common error

Avoid labeling an entire argument as having "poor reasoning" without specifying which parts are weak or flawed. Instead, identify the specific premises or inferences that are problematic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "poor reasoning" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "poor" modifies the noun "reasoning". It describes the quality of the reasoning process.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Academia

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "poor reasoning" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe flawed or inadequate logical thought processes. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is widely used and understood across various contexts, including news, science, and general writing. When using "poor reasoning", it's crucial to be specific about the deficiencies in the argument to avoid overgeneralization and to provide constructive criticism. Alternative phrases like "flawed logic" or "weak rationale" can also be used to convey similar meanings, depending on the specific nuances you want to emphasize.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

flawed logic

Focuses on the presence of errors within the logical structure itself.

weak rationale

Emphasizes the deficiency in the underlying justification or explanation.

unsound judgment

Highlights the compromised decision-making resulting from deficient thought.

deficient analysis

Concentrates on the inadequacy of the analytical process.

faulty deduction

Points to errors in the inferential process.

illogical thinking

Directly addresses the absence of logical coherence.

irrational thought

Indicates a deviation from rational principles.

specious argument

Suggests the argument appears correct but is actually fallacious.

tenuous justification

Emphasizes that the reasoning supporting a claim is weak and unconvincing.

inadequate logic

Highlights that the logic used is insufficient or not good enough.

FAQs

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

You can use "poor reasoning" to describe flawed or inadequate logical thought. For example: "The conclusion he reached was based on "poor reasoning" and lacked supporting evidence."

What are some alternatives to saying "poor reasoning"?

Alternatives include "flawed logic", "weak rationale", or "unsound judgment", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "bad reasoning" or "poor reasoning"?

Both "bad reasoning" and "poor reasoning" are acceptable, but "poor reasoning" may sound slightly more formal and nuanced. The best choice depends on the tone and context of your writing.

What's the difference between "poor reasoning" and "lack of reasoning"?

"Poor reasoning" implies that reasoning was attempted but executed inadequately, whereas "lack of reasoning" suggests an absence of logical thought altogether. They are not interchangeable in all contexts.