this argument is invalid

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "this argument is invalid" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing logical reasoning or evaluating the strength of an argument in a debate or academic context. Example: "After analyzing the premises, I concluded that this argument is invalid due to a logical fallacy."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Mills says that this argument is invalid, because a physical event can have features not explained by the event which is its sufficient cause.

SEP

Opponents reply that this argument is invalid; it is possible for the premises to be true even though the conclusion is false.

SEP

Since the semantic concept of validity involves the notion of possibility, one can also derive validity liars such as Pseudo-Scotus' paradox: 'Squares are squares, therefore, this argument is invalid' (Read 1979).

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

1. Shafer-Landau here only has an 'if', and not an 'only if', but in this form the argument is invalid.

SEP

Doing this, one may may say that the argument is invalid, having true premises but a false conclusion.

SEP

But if (3) is not physical, the response is that the argument is invalid).

SEP

Without any assumption about your probability assignment to God's existence, the argument is invalid.

SEP

(He says representations "should be" of the world, but the argument is invalid with the addition of the auxiliary verb).

SEP

On the former interpretation the premiss is true, but under that interpretation the argument is invalid, that is, the conclusion does not follow.

SEP

With respect to the first argument, some scholars (such as Lewis (1979)) claim that the argument is invalid, some (such as Peterson (1981)) that there are two different valid ways of reconstructing it, others (such as Yi and Bae (1998), and Rickless (2007, 86 90)) that there is a single way to reconstruct the argument, one on which it comes out valid.

SEP

However, the argument is invalid: the Reciprocity Principle supports obligations even to participants who have not suffered research-related harm.

Bioethics

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When critiquing an argument, clearly explain why you consider "this argument is invalid". Provide specific reasons or counterexamples to support your assessment.

Common error

Avoid simply stating "this argument is invalid" without providing any supporting evidence or reasoning. A bare assertion weakens your critique.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "this argument is invalid" serves as a declarative statement. It functions to express disagreement with or refutation of a previously stated argument, asserting its logical or structural unsoundness. As Ludwig AI confirms, this is a grammatically sound and usable expression.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

66%

News & Media

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "this argument is invalid" is a grammatically correct way to express disagreement with an argument, indicating that it's logically flawed. As Ludwig AI explains, it's perfectly acceptable in English writing. While the phrase is relatively rare in general usage, it appears more frequently in academic, scientific, and news contexts, where the validity of arguments is often scrutinized. When using this phrase, be sure to provide clear reasoning for your assessment rather than simply stating it as a conclusion. Consider alternatives like "the reasoning is flawed" or "the premise is unsound" to add nuance to your critique.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the reasoning is flawed

Replaces "argument is invalid" with a more direct assessment of the reasoning process.

the premise is unsound

Focuses on the weakness of the foundational premise rather than the entire argument.

the logic doesn't hold

Simplifies the expression to emphasize the breakdown of logical consistency.

the conclusion is unsupported

Shifts the focus to the conclusion lacking sufficient evidence or justification.

the rationale is deficient

Uses a more formal term to describe the inadequacy of the reasoning.

it doesn't follow

Highlights a disconnect between the premises and the conclusion.

the basis is incorrect

Asserts that the underlying foundation for the argument is factually wrong.

that's a non sequitur

Identifies the argument as one where the conclusion does not logically follow from the premises.

the justification is weak

Emphasizes the lack of strong support for the argument's claims.

the case is unconvincing

Indicates that the argument fails to persuade or establish its point effectively.

FAQs

How can I use "this argument is invalid" in a sentence?

You can use "this argument is invalid" when you want to express that the reasoning or logic within an argument is flawed. For example: "After reviewing the evidence, I determined that "this argument" is invalid because it relies on a false premise."

What are some alternative ways to say "this argument is invalid"?

Alternatives include phrases such as "the reasoning is flawed", "the premise is unsound", or "the logic doesn't hold". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "this argument is invalid" or "this argument is wrong"?

"This argument is invalid" focuses on the structural or logical flaws in the argument, while "this argument is wrong" suggests the conclusion is factually incorrect. "Invalid" is often more precise when addressing the argument's reasoning.

What makes an argument 'invalid'?

An argument is invalid if its conclusion does not necessarily follow from its premises, even if the premises are true. This means that it's possible for the premises to be true and the conclusion to be false.