trying to reason

USAGE SUMMARY

"trying to reason" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used when attempting to explain a situation or explain something to someone. For example, "She was trying to reason with him, but he wouldn't listen."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Protagonist frantically trying to reason with them?

The Guardian - TV & Radio

It's like trying to reason with a cat.

The Guardian

He was just trying to reason with them".

The Guardian - Sport

Talking to your car can be like trying to reason with a recalcitrant toddler.

The New York Times

Well, sometimes I really do get tired of trying to reason with these people.

The New York Times

I have been trying to reason with him to no avail.

The New Yorker

"But I don't mean it!" I screamed, trying to reason with her.

The Guardian - Opinion

They were trying to reason with me, I was trying to be a ghost.

The Guardian

Jack stabs Basher in the neck after spending approximately two nanoseconds trying to reason with him.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Jennifer held the gun, hearing voices; Eunice whimpered, trying to reason with her psychotic murderess.

The New York Times

"It's harder trying to reason with them than it was 20 years ago," he says.

The Guardian - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "trying to reason", consider the context and whether the attempt is likely to be successful. If the attempt is futile, you might want to choose a phrase that reflects that futility to provide more context.

Common error

Avoid using "trying to reason" when it's clear that the other party is completely irrational or unwilling to listen. In such cases, it might be more accurate to describe the situation as "attempting to reason against all odds" or use a different phrase altogether.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "trying to reason" functions as a gerund phrase, often acting as a noun in a sentence. It describes the act of attempting to use logic or persuasion in a given situation. Ludwig AI confirms this is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Reference

8%

Social Media

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "trying to reason" is a versatile and commonly used gerund phrase that describes the act of attempting to persuade or understand through logic. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. While it's appropriate for various contexts, it's essential to consider the likelihood of success when choosing this phrase, particularly in situations involving irrational behavior. Alternatives such as "attempting to persuade" or "endeavoring to understand" might be more suitable depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

exerting effort to reason

This is a more emphatic way of describing the effort to persuade.

attempting to persuade

Focuses on the effort to change someone's mind.

attempting to negotiate

Highlights the effort to reach an agreement.

endeavoring to understand

Emphasizes the effort to comprehend a situation or person.

seeking to rationalize

Highlights the attempt to find a logical explanation.

in the process of convincing

Focuses on the ongoing action of persuading someone.

working to influence

Emphasizes the effort to have an effect on someone's decisions.

making an appeal to

Highlights the act of formally requesting or urging someone.

seeking common ground

Focuses on the search for shared understanding or agreement.

engaging in dialogue

Highlights the act of having a conversation, usually to resolve a problem.

FAQs

How can I use "trying to reason" in a sentence?

You can use "trying to reason" to describe an attempt to persuade someone through logical argument. For example: "She was "trying to reason" with her landlord about the rent increase."

What are some alternatives to "trying to reason"?

Alternatives include "attempting to persuade", "attempting to negotiate", or "endeavoring to understand", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it always appropriate to use "trying to reason"?

While grammatically correct, it may not be appropriate if the situation involves highly emotional or irrational behavior. In such cases, it might be more accurate to say "attempting to reason against all odds" or choose a different phrase altogether.

What's the difference between "trying to reason" and "reasoning with"?

"Trying to reason" emphasizes the effort or attempt to use logic and persuasion. "Reasoning with" suggests an ongoing process of exchanging arguments and ideas, potentially implying a degree of success in the communication.