train of reasoning

USAGE SUMMARY

"train of reasoning" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to the path of logic someone uses to come to a conclusion. For example, "The professor used a rigorous train of reasoning to explain why the volcano erupted."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Drawing on research in cognitive science, Lyons proposes that a primal system is any cognitive system that meets two conditions: (i) it is "inferentially opaque"—that is, its outputs are not the result of an introspectively accessible train of reasoning, (ii) it develops as a result of a combination of learning and innate constraints (2009: 144).

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

A few have already been mentioned: metaphorical versus literal meaning (the daughter's "hand"); professional versus common sense logic (the doctor); incompatible codes of behaviour (the marquis); confrontations of the trivial and the exalted ("eternal bliss"); trains of reasoning travelling, happily joined together, in opposite directions (the sadist who is kind to the masochist).

Britannica

The trains of reasoning involved will depend only on our grasp of logical validities, supplemented by appropriate definitions.

SEP

The most terrible decisions in history, from the inquisition to modern ethnic cleansing, have been made by rational men (it has mostly been men) on the basis of what they thought of were rational grounds, no doubt with a train of rational reasoning.

The Guardian - Books

Apes could not fashion a stone tool, follow out a train of metaphysical reasoning, solve a mathematical problem, reflect on God, or admire a proposition of natural science, though they could, he thought, make it known that they were impressed by "the beauty of the coloured skin and fur of their partners in marriage" (Ibid. 126).

Evolution: Education and Outreach

AMPLIA is a multi-agent intelligent learning environment designed to support training of diagnostic reasoning and modelling of domains with complex and uncertain knowledge.

Artificial Intelligence in Medicine

Allyson discovered that the company Blueprint Test Preparation offered 100 hours of class time, including 70 hours of reasoning training.

University of California, Berkeley

Evidently the soft-spoken young man had not been trained to counter this line of reasoning.

The New York Times

Mackey, A. P., Hill, S. S., Stone, S. I. & Bunge, S. A. Differential effects of reasoning and speed training in children.

Nature

Explicit training has the potential to increase the robustness and contextualisation of reasoning about breast screening, both by individuals and in decision-making bodies.

BMJ Open

In developing a method to slow this decline, the efficacy of Reasoning Exercises in Assisted Living (REAL), a cognitive training intervention that teaches everyday reasoning and problem-solving skills to AL residents, was tested.

Clinical interventions in aging

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "train of reasoning" when you want to emphasize the sequential and interconnected nature of a series of thoughts or arguments. It suggests a deliberate and structured progression.

Common error

Avoid using "train of reasoning" when referring to a single, isolated thought or idea. This phrase implies a series of connected steps, not a singular concept.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "train of reasoning" functions as a noun phrase, describing a connected series of logical thoughts or arguments. It highlights the structured and sequential nature of the reasoning process. According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

33%

Encyclopedias

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "train of reasoning" is a grammatically sound way to describe a sequential and interconnected series of thoughts or arguments. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. While not extremely common, it finds its place in academic, news, and encyclopedic contexts. It's crucial to use this phrase when emphasizing the structured progression of thought, avoiding its application to singular ideas. Alternatives like ""line of thought"" or ""chain of thought"" offer similar meanings, with slight variations in emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

line of thought

Focuses on the direction and progression of thinking.

chain of thought

Emphasizes the sequential and interconnected nature of ideas.

logical sequence

Highlights the structured and ordered nature of reasoning.

course of reasoning

Focuses on the path or direction taken during the reasoning process.

string of inferences

Emphasizes the inferential steps within the reasoning process.

process of deduction

Specifically refers to deductive reasoning.

argumentative pathway

Highlights the structured progression of an argument.

intellectual trajectory

Focuses on the development and direction of intellectual thought.

cognitive progression

Highlights the step-by-step advancement of cognitive thought.

mental calculation

Highlights the calculation/reasoning done in the mind.

FAQs

How can I use "train of reasoning" in a sentence?

You can use "train of reasoning" to describe a series of connected thoughts or arguments, as in, "The lawyer presented a compelling train of reasoning to support her client's case."

What phrases are similar to "train of reasoning"?

Similar phrases include "line of thought", "chain of thought", or "logical sequence".

Is "train of reasoning" formal or informal?

"Train of reasoning" is suitable for both formal and neutral contexts, often appearing in academic and news articles. However, alternatives like "mental calculation" might be preferred in more informal settings.

What's the difference between "train of reasoning" and "line of reasoning"?

While both phrases refer to a connected series of thoughts, "train of reasoning" may emphasize a more extended or complex sequence compared to "line of reasoning".