reasoning

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'reasoning' is correct and usable in written English.
It is a noun that means the mental process of logical thinking and forming judgments. For example, "I arrived at the conclusion by reasoning that if the train was delayed, I would be late to my appointment."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

His reasoning?

The New York Times - Sports

(The chunks do, of course, cook rather more quickly, which may be her reasoning).

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Foxx explains that he changed his name to ensure better slots on the open-mic circuit, reasoning that female performers were usually called up first and that an androgynous tag might prove an advantage.

The Guardian - Film

Now I realise how stupid this reasoning was.

The Guardian

There is no point wondering if this announcement came shortly after he followed a white rabbit down a hole; he has lived so long in his moral Bizarro World now that to apply even his own logic to his utterances is as pointful as reasoning with a fart.

The Guardian - Opinion

When the BBC was told that tobacco companies have admitted funding the IEA, the reasoning changed again.

The Guardian - Opinion

In addition, being punished by someone who holds such power over them can result in delays in the development of moral reasoning.

The Guardian - Opinion

There was no humanity in his reasoning, viewing, as he did, the dead Indigenous Australians purely as "material".

The Guardian

His reasoning was that the Mac freed its users/believers from the need to make decisions.

The Guardian - Tech

Warsi's own reasoning is set out in her resignation letter and tweet to David Cameron, an "astonishing charge sheet" in Patrick Wintour's analysis, subtly amplified in Rafael Behr's column.

The Guardian

Roy, founder of the Mukto-Mona (Free-mind) blog, which featured articles on scientific reasoning and religion, had been receiving threats for some time.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing academically or professionally, use "reasoning" to refer to the process of forming conclusions, judgments, or inferences logically. It emphasizes a structured thought process.

Common error

Avoid using "reasoning" when you mean "rationalizing." "Reasoning" implies a logical and objective thought process, while "rationalizing" often suggests justifying actions or beliefs post-hoc, potentially with biased or self-serving arguments.

Linguistic Context

Reasoning primarily functions as a noun, denoting the process of drawing conclusions or inferences from facts or premises. It's used to describe the mental activity of analyzing information and forming judgments. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in various written contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

22%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "reasoning" is a versatile noun used to describe the process of forming conclusions or inferences logically. As validated by Ludwig AI, its grammatical correctness and wide applicability make it suitable for various contexts, ranging from formal academic papers to everyday conversations. Key considerations include differentiating it from "rationalizing" and leveraging its power to articulate structured thought processes. Whether you're aiming to strengthen arguments or analyze situations, understanding the nuances of "reasoning" will enhance your communication skills.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

rationale

Emphasizes the underlying principles or logic behind a decision or belief.

justification

Focuses on the act of providing reasons to support a claim or action.

logic

Highlights the systematic and coherent nature of thought processes.

line of thought

Refers to a particular sequence or direction of reasoning.

argumentation

Implies a formal and structured presentation of reasons.

basis

Indicates the fundamental reasons or grounds for something.

explanation

Provides a clear account of the reasons behind something.

grounds

Suggests the solid foundations or reasons upon which something is based.

thinking

Encompasses the general process of cognitive activity and reasoning.

intellection

Focuses on the intellectual or cognitive process of reasoning.

FAQs

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

Use "reasoning" to refer to the process of drawing conclusions from information. For instance, "Her "deductive reasoning" led her to solve the complex problem".

What are some synonyms for "reasoning"?

Depending on the context, you can use synonyms like "rationale", "logic", or "justification" to replace "reasoning".

What's the difference between "reasoning" and "rationalization"?

"Reasoning" involves a logical and objective thought process to arrive at a conclusion, while "rationalization" is the act of creating justifications, often self-serving, for actions or beliefs. "Reasoning" aims for truth; rationalization aims for justification.

In what contexts is it appropriate to use the term "reasoning"?

The term "reasoning" is appropriate in academic, professional, and analytical contexts where logical thought and the process of drawing conclusions are central. It is commonly used in discussions of philosophy, mathematics, and critical thinking.