show of reason

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "show of reason" is not commonly used in written English and may not convey a clear meaning.
It could be interpreted in contexts discussing logical arguments or rationality, but it is not a standard expression. Example: "In the debate, he made a compelling show of reason that swayed many opinions."

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

He agrees that the first objection, "urg'd with great confidence, and not without much show of Reason" is a strong one, but suggests that "we men understand very little of the nature, customes, & government of the Intelligent creatures of the spirituall world: and particularly what concernes the Falne Angells or bad Daemons.

SEP

Commenting on Rodin's monument to Victor Hugo, The Times in 1909 expressed that "there is some show of reason in the complaint that [Rodin's] conceptions are sometimes unsuited to his medium, and that in such cases they overstrain his vast technical powers".

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Mr. Chávez said he was encouraged that some opposition leaders were "showing signs of reason" by distancing themselves from coup plots and collecting signatures for a referendum on his rule.

The New York Times

Subscribers who think they'd prefer something "elegant, heartfelt" and "genuinely inspirational," as a Los Angeles Times reviewer described Golabek's portrayal of her mother, a budding classical pianist in Vienna who is uprooted by the Nazi onslaught, to LaBute's emotional mayhem can opt for that show instead of "Reasons to Be Pretty".

Los Angeles Times

On Black-ish, the Johnson kids are consistently bringing a modern, level-headed perspective to the various issues the show tackles, particularly in Zoey, who often feels like the show's "voice of reason".

Vice

New discoveries about the human mind show the limitations of reason.

The New Yorker

A brilliant combination of comic relief and sideline commentary, Violet, the original symbol of autocratic snobbery, soon became the show's voice of reason.

Los Angeles Times

(Elizabeth Kolbert wrote last month about new cognitive research that shows the limits of reason).

The New Yorker

But at least baseball showed a glimmer of reason by calling off the game early.

The New York Times - Sports

"Having shown the dawn of reason," Brecht explained in a 1953 notebook, "I became eager to depict its twilight".

The Guardian

Anticipating Freud's theory of the unconscious, this painting shows the goddess of reason restraining the animal passions of our nature – she gazes icily as the centaur struggles, caught by the hair.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for clarity, consider using more common alternatives like "demonstration of rationale" or "display of logic" instead of "show of reason". This can enhance comprehension, especially in formal or academic contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "show of reason" in casual conversation or informal writing where simpler terms like "logical explanation" or "reasonable argument" would be more appropriate. The phrase can sound overly formal or stilted in such settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "show of reason" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as the object of a verb or the subject complement. It refers to the act of demonstrating or displaying logical thinking. As Ludwig AI notes, it isn't very common.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

33%

Wiki

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "show of reason" is a noun phrase denoting a display of logical thinking, but it's not frequently used in everyday English. Ludwig AI identifies it as an uncommon phrase. Its use is more appropriate in formal or academic settings. For alternatives, consider options like "demonstration of rationale" or "display of logic" to enhance clarity. Be mindful of register, avoiding it in casual contexts where simpler language would suffice. While grammatically sound, its infrequent usage suggests a cautious approach in favor of more common expressions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

display of logic

Replaces "show" with "display" and "reason" with "logic", emphasizing the logical aspect.

demonstration of rationale

Uses "demonstration" instead of "show" and "rationale" instead of "reason", providing a more formal tone.

exhibition of logic

Substitutes "show" with "exhibition", which implies a more pronounced display.

manifestation of rationality

Replaces "show" with "manifestation" and "reason" with "rationality", suggesting a visible expression of rational thought.

evidence of reason

Replaces "show" with "evidence", shifting the focus to proof or indication of reason.

indication of logic

Uses "indication" instead of "show", implying a sign or signal of logical thought.

hint of rationality

Replaces "show" with "hint", suggesting a subtle or slight display of rationality.

semblance of reason

Substitutes "show" with "semblance", indicating an outward appearance of reason that may or may not be genuine.

act of reasoning

Changes the phrase to focus on the action of reasoning rather than a display.

expression of rationality

Uses "expression" instead of "show", focusing on the communication of rational thought.

FAQs

What does "show of reason" mean?

"Show of reason" suggests an outward display or indication of logical thinking or justification. It implies that someone is presenting their reasoning or rationale for a particular action or belief.

What can I say instead of "show of reason"?

You can use alternatives like "display of logic", "demonstration of rationale", or "exhibition of logic" depending on the context.

Is "show of reason" a common phrase in English?

While grammatically correct, "show of reason" is not a particularly common phrase. It is more often found in formal writing or discussions rather than everyday conversation.

How can I use "show of reason" in a sentence?

You might use "show of reason" in a sentence like, "The lawyer presented a compelling show of reason to convince the jury of his client's innocence."