reason out

USAGE SUMMARY

"reason out" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to mean to arrive at a reasoned solution after thinking carefully and logically about a problem. Example: I was having trouble understanding my math homework, so I decided to reason out the problem and figure out the answer.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

42 human-written examples

I get the sense, reading him, of a figure standing on the edge of a field at night, squinting into the blackness, listening, trying to reason out where he ends and it begins.

The New Yorker

The respondents were asked whether they could reason out their choices of figures for each trait.

Plosone

If you try to reason out what you did in the past.

WikiHow

Either the person is not well equipped with the mental faculties to reason out your problem or they are too bothered about their own problems and your own concerns might appear too trivial to be bothered about.

WikiHow

The knowledge reasoning agent selects appropriate rules from the knowledge base and uses the facts in the database to reason out suitable solutions, which match better effectiveness via a foreword chaining reasoning method.

Knowledge-Based Systems

"There's no way," Mr. Mitchusson said, "that you can make any kind of reason out of this".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

16 human-written examples

He said there was no reason out-of-state visitors should cancel their plans, and RNC officials were so far echoing that advice.

Huffington Post

This observed mineralogical is reasoned out based on the mechanisms controlling undrained strength of clays.

Transportation Geotechnics

They have reasoned out that the tool material has the maximum effect on the surface roughness of electrode.

Mechanics of Advanced Materials and Modern Processes

Among the respondents who took PEP, 28/49 (57.1%) reasoned out that they took PEP for their exposure to known HIV positive blood whereas, the remaining 12/49 (24.5%), reasoned out that they became exposed to blood of HIV unknown status.

BMC Public Health

Often reason loses out.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "reason out" when you want to emphasize a deliberate and logical process of reaching a conclusion. For example, "I need to reason out the best course of action."

Common error

Avoid using "reasoning" when you need a verb. "Reasoning" is a noun, while "reason out" is a verb. For instance, instead of saying "I am reasoning the problem," say "I am trying to reason out the problem."

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "reason out" functions as a dynamic verb, indicating the action of thinking logically to solve a problem or understand a situation. Ludwig shows how it is used in various contexts to denote a cognitive process.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Wiki

14%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "reason out" is a phrasal verb used to describe the process of solving a problem or understanding something through logical thinking. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English. It is most commonly found in news, scientific, and general contexts, and its register is typically neutral, though more formal terms might be preferred in academic writing. When writing, remember that it's a verb so avoid confusing it with "reasoning" which is a noun. Consider alternatives like "figure out" or "work out" to add variety to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

figure out

Focuses on discovering or understanding something, often implying a problem-solving aspect.

work out

Implies a process of finding a solution or understanding through effort and calculation.

deduce

Emphasizes drawing a conclusion based on evidence and logical reasoning.

infer

Suggests arriving at a conclusion based on indirect evidence or hints.

conclude

Focuses on reaching a final judgment or decision based on available information.

understand

Highlights the attainment of knowledge or comprehension.

resolve

Implies settling or solving a problem through reasoning and decision-making.

solve

Directly indicates finding an answer or solution to a specific problem.

analyze

Focuses on examining something in detail to understand its components and relationships.

ascertain

Emphasizes discovering something with certainty, often through investigation.

FAQs

How to use "reason out" in a sentence?

You can use "reason out" when you're trying to find a solution or understand something through logical thinking. For example, "Let's try to reason out why this happened."

What can I say instead of "reason out"?

You can use alternatives like "figure out", "work out", or "deduce" depending on the context.

Is "reason out" formal or informal?

The phrase "reason out" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, in highly formal academic writing, more precise terms like "deduce" or "infer" might be preferred.

What's the difference between "reason out" and "figure out"?

"Reason out" implies a more structured and logical approach to problem-solving, while "figure out" is more general and can include intuitive or trial-and-error methods. "Reason out" often involves breaking down a problem into smaller parts.