poorly reasoned

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "poorly reasoned" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an argument, idea, or conclusion that lacks logical coherence or sound reasoning. Example: "The author's claims were poorly reasoned, making it difficult to accept their conclusions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

"It is also glib, poorly reasoned and thoroughly unconvincing," she adds.

The New York Times

These kinds of knee-jerk, poorly reasoned decisions are what happens when fiscal illusion reigns.

The New York Times

"Festival in Cannes" poses a far-fetched, poorly reasoned clash of schedules that forces Millie to choose between the projects.

The New York Times

Then, in June 2004, Mr. Goldsmith formally withdrew the August 2002 Yoo memorandum on interrogation, which he found overreaching and poorly reasoned.

The New York Times

Glaeser's got some tough words for poorly reasoned public policies that feed suburban living: federal highway programs, the mortgage tax deduction, low gas prices.

The New York Times - Books

The United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit, in Chicago, agreed in a poorly reasoned decision, ruling that the N.F.L. was not covered by Section 1 because it is a "single entity," and, therefore, not capable of restraining trade.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

Even a poorly preserved brain, they reasoned, might be able to undergo a kind of digital repair and rehabilitation.

The New York Times

The full extent, reasons, and consequences of aspirin underuse is poorly understood; reasons for underutilization may be related to the patient, condition, therapy or healthcare system.

American Journal of Cardiovascular Drugs

When credit markets are poorly developed, he reasons, increases in housing wealth are likely to reduce consumer expenditure.

The Economist

But stomach cancer has a much higher incidence in Japan (for poorly understood reasons), which means there is a strong nation-wide screening program to catch it early.

The Economist

In their paper published in Nature Genetics, they say that for poorly understood reasons, successive global waves of antimalarial drug resistance have originated in western Cambodia, including the most common form of chloroquine resistance and the most common forms of clinically significant pyrimethamine resistance and sulfadoxine resistance.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When critiquing an argument as "poorly reasoned", provide specific examples of the logical fallacies or unsupported claims to strengthen your critique.

Common error

While "poorly reasoned" is acceptable in many contexts, avoid using it excessively in casual conversations. Opt for simpler terms like "doesn't make sense" or "flawed logic" for more natural-sounding communication.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "poorly reasoned" functions as an adjective modifying a noun, typically describing something like an argument, decision, or policy. It indicates a deficiency in the logical or rational basis of the thing being described. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

8%

Wiki

7%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "poorly reasoned" is a grammatically sound and valid expression used to critique the lack of logical coherence in an argument, decision, or idea. Ludwig AI states that it is correct and usable in written English. While alternatives such as "badly reasoned", "weakly reasoned", and "ill-reasoned" exist, the choice depends on the desired nuance. Predominantly found in news, scientific, and business contexts, it is important to provide specific examples when using this phrase to strengthen your critique. Though versatile, reserve it for situations where a more direct criticism is warranted, opting for simpler alternatives in casual settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

badly reasoned

Simple synonym, replacing "poorly" with "badly" to indicate low quality of reasoning.

weakly reasoned

Focuses on the lack of strength in the reasoning process.

ill-reasoned

Emphasizes the flawed or unsound nature of the reasoning.

loosely reasoned

Suggests a lack of rigor and precision in the reasoning.

thinly reasoned

Implies a lack of depth or substance in the reasoning.

poorly substantiated

Highlights the absence of sufficient evidence to support the reasoning.

poorly considered

Focuses on the lack of careful thought or evaluation.

poorly grounded

Highlights the absence of solid foundation to support the reasoning.

poorly explained

Indicates that the explanation of the reasoning is inadequate.

poorly justified

Emphasizes the lack of adequate justification for the reasoning.

FAQs

How can I use "poorly reasoned" in a sentence?

You can use "poorly reasoned" to describe arguments or decisions that lack a sound basis in logic. For instance, "The committee rejected the proposal because it was "poorly reasoned" and lacked supporting evidence."

What are some alternatives to "poorly reasoned"?

Alternatives include phrases like "badly reasoned", "weakly reasoned", or "ill-reasoned". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it more appropriate to say "poorly reasoned" or "badly reasoned"?

Both "poorly reasoned" and "badly reasoned" are grammatically correct and convey a similar meaning. The choice often comes down to personal preference or stylistic considerations, though "poorly reasoned" might be considered slightly more formal.

What does it mean for an argument to be "poorly reasoned"?

When an argument is described as "poorly reasoned", it means that the logic and evidence used to support the claim are weak, flawed, or unconvincing. This could be due to logical fallacies, unsupported assumptions, or a lack of relevant evidence.