reason through

USAGE SUMMARY

"reason through" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It means to solve a problem or make a decision by thinking carefully and logically. For example, "I had to reason through the problem before I figured out the solution."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In the framework, features are captured transparently and hierarchically within a formal OWL ontology, and the feature recognition is achieved by applying an efficient backward-chained ontology reasoner to reason through the ontology.

Computers in Industry

Engineering knowledge enables engineers to reason through heuristics, with heuristic reasoning as "not regarded as final and strict but as provisional and plausible only, whose purpose is to discover the solution to the present problem" (Polya, 2014).

International Journal of STEM Education

Although it is reasonable to expect pharmaceutical employees to identify ethical problems and resolve simple cases, it is probably not reasonable to expect them to reason through more complex cases when doing so is not their primary job.

AJOB Empirical Bioethics

That fanatical voice has been the voice of reason through all this".

The Guardian - Sport

Early on, Lehrer introduces his main theme: "Sometimes we need to reason through our options and carefully analyze the possibilities.

The New York Times - Books

When all is said and done, the computer is not truly able to reason through a problem.

The New York Times

The panelists, who are all professors, don't simply give answers; they try to help the questioner reason through an issue.

The New Yorker

His youngsters do old-fashioned things which they have never seen done and presumably never even heard about, but just reason through.

The New Yorker

He suggests, for example, that children may have an easier time learning abstract topics in mathematics or physics if they are put into a group and allowed to reason through a problem together.

The New York Times - Arts

Even in America, a country with no official state church, Protestants long enjoyed the de facto cultural establishment of their faith and never had to reason through life as a religious minority in the same way.

The New York Times

They say he is too focused on the mechanics of sex and morality, neglecting the other sides of the Christian message: the corruption of human reason through original sin, the need for forgiveness and charity and the chance for redemption.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "reason through" when you want to emphasize a logical, step-by-step approach to solving a problem or making a decision. For example, "The students were able to reason through the complex math problem by breaking it down into smaller steps."

Common error

Avoid using "reason through" in situations where simpler verbs like "think" or "understand" would suffice. Overusing it can make your writing sound unnecessarily complex. For example, instead of saying "I need to reason through this decision," consider "I need to think about this decision."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "reason through" functions as a phrasal verb, specifically a transitive verb when followed by an object. Ludwig's examples demonstrate how it describes the action of systematically thinking to solve a problem or make a decision, as noted by Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

39%

News & Media

36%

Formal & Business

25%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "reason through" is a versatile phrasal verb that signifies a deliberate and logical thought process aimed at solving problems or making informed decisions. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's grammatically sound and finds frequent application across diverse fields such as science, news, and business. While often used in both formal and informal contexts, it is important to consider using simpler alternatives when applicable. To ensure effective communication, avoid overuse in situations where "think" or "understand" would suffice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

think through

Focuses more on the act of thinking about all aspects of something, less emphasis on problem-solving.

work through

Implies a process of dealing with difficulties or obstacles to reach a solution.

figure out

More informal and focuses on finding a solution, often through trial and error.

puzzle out

Suggests solving a complex or confusing problem through careful thought.

decipher

Implies uncovering the meaning of something obscure or difficult to understand.

deduce

Focuses on reaching a conclusion based on logical reasoning and evidence.

analyze

Highlights the systematic examination of something to understand its components.

deliberate

Implies careful consideration and discussion before making a decision.

contemplate

Focuses on deep and thoughtful consideration, often without a specific goal.

reflect on

Emphasizes thinking seriously about past experiences or events.

FAQs

How can I use "reason through" in a sentence?

You can use "reason through" to describe a process of careful, logical thinking. For example, "The detective had to reason through the evidence to solve the case" or "It's important to reason through your financial decisions before making any investments".

What is another way to say "reason through"?

Alternatives to "reason through" include "think through", "work through", or "figure out". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it better to "reason through" or "think about" a problem?

"Reason through" implies a more structured and logical approach to problem-solving, whereas "think about" is more general. If you need to methodically analyze something, "reason through" is more appropriate. If you just need to consider something, "think about" is fine.

What's the difference between "reason through" and "analyze"?

"Analyze" involves breaking something down into its components to understand it. "Reason through" involves using logic and evidence to solve a problem or reach a conclusion. You might "analyze" a situation before you "reason through" it to find a solution.