twisted reasoning

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "twisted reasoning" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a flawed or illogical way of thinking or arguing about a particular issue. Example: "His argument was based on twisted reasoning, making it difficult to take his claims seriously."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

(Somehow, in Mr. Nader's twisted reasoning, the people concerned about poverty and the environment and corporate excesses were helped by his heroic efforts on behalf of the Bush-Cheney ticket. He is not at all sorry about the role he played, a role that many saw as a betrayal. In a failed attempt at humor yesterday, Mr. Nader said, "I do think that Al Gore cost me the election").

The New York Times

What's the big deal?" It's when we use a sort of twisted reasoning to make someone's behavior more palatable or manageable than it actually feels.

Huffington Post

In Trump's twisted reasoning, a plan to impose higher shipping costs on Amazon, kill the company's multibillion-dollar contract with the Pentagon and encourage certain state attorneys general to investigate its business practices ― just some of the retributive options Trump is reportedly considering ― is perfectly justifiable if it weakens someone he perceives as a personal enemy.

Huffington Post

Security Minister Ben Wallace responded angrily, telling BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "We have to be unequivocal that no amount of excuses, no amount of twisted reasoning about a foreign policy here, a foreign policy there, can be an excuse.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

A twisted chain of reasoning leads him to merge Sears with the myth of the Rat King, a huge, dominant rat that, in the popular imagination, can be found at the head of a seething rat mob.

The New York Times - Books

Grotesquely twisted steel gantries.

Independent

Twisted ankle?

The New York Times - Travel

The reasoning?

The New York Times

Their reasoning?

Forbes

His reasoning?

The New York Times - Sports

Good reasoning.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "twisted reasoning" when you want to emphasize the deliberate distortion or manipulation of logic to support a particular viewpoint or agenda.

Common error

Avoid using "twisted reasoning" when simply describing a mistake or unintentional error in thinking. Use terms like "flawed logic" or "faulty reasoning" in those cases.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "twisted reasoning" functions as a noun phrase, where "twisted" acts as an adjective modifying the noun "reasoning". It typically describes a process of thought or argumentation that is illogical, distorted, or deliberately misleading. As confirmed by Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "twisted reasoning" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe flawed logic that is often intentionally distorted. As indicated by Ludwig, it’s most frequently found in news and media contexts, where it serves to critique or discredit arguments. Alternatives like "flawed logic" or "faulty reasoning" might be more appropriate when the error in thinking is unintentional. Employ "twisted reasoning" when you wish to highlight the manipulation of logic, and be mindful of its critical connotation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

flawed logic

This alternative directly points to the incorrectness of the logic itself, without necessarily implying intentional distortion.

faulty reasoning

Similar to "flawed logic", but emphasizes the error in the reasoning process.

specious reasoning

This implies that the reasoning appears correct but is actually false or misleading.

fallacious reasoning

Highlights the presence of a fallacy or error in the logical structure.

illogical thinking

This emphasizes the lack of logical coherence in the thought process.

distorted logic

Suggests that the logic has been bent or misrepresented, often intentionally.

convoluted reasoning

Indicates that the reasoning is excessively complex and difficult to follow, potentially obscuring flaws.

perverted logic

This suggests a corruption or deviation from sound logic, often with negative implications.

irrational rationale

Combines the concepts of illogicality and justification, highlighting the contradictory nature of the explanation.

absurd justification

This emphasizes the ridiculousness of the explanation offered.

FAQs

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

You can use "twisted reasoning" to describe arguments or justifications that are based on illogical or distorted logic, often to support a specific agenda. For example: "The politician's argument relied on "twisted reasoning" to justify the unpopular policy".

What's a good substitute for "twisted reasoning"?

Depending on the context, alternatives to "twisted reasoning" include "flawed logic", "faulty reasoning", or "specious reasoning". Each carries slightly different connotations regarding the intent and nature of the error.

Is "twisted reasoning" a formal or informal phrase?

"Twisted reasoning" can be used in both formal and informal contexts, but it is generally more common in journalistic or argumentative writing where the intent is to critique someone's logic.

What's the difference between "twisted reasoning" and "incorrect reasoning"?

"Incorrect reasoning" simply indicates that the logic is wrong. "Twisted reasoning", on the other hand, suggests that the reasoning is not only incorrect but also deliberately distorted or manipulated to achieve a specific goal.