which defies logic

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "which defies logic" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation, statement, or action that seems irrational or unreasonable. Example: "The decision to invest in a failing company, which defies logic, left many investors scratching their heads."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

"The council has been one color, which defies logic," said Rima Fleihan, a member in exile of the Local Coordination Committees, an anti-Assad group that has sought to document casualties.

The New York Times

Aside from questions of the integrity of what the United States says and does - today the MEK, tomorrow who knows who --there is something about the State Department position who --theres logic as who --there.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Another French beatdown, this is how we say "Florissant". You may be confused with the profusion of Florissant roadways, the geographic locations of which defy logic.

HuffPost

There is also the Fear, looming omnipresent in parental life, which defies all logic.

The Guardian - Opinion

2. Box-office queues are shorter, but shows fuller, which defies all logic.

The Guardian

"The fundamental problem with George Osborne's deficit plan is that he has set a political goal to a political timetable which defies economic logic," he said.

Independent

Balls, meanwhile, says "satisfactory" means not good enough when it is used by Ofsted inspectors to describe schools – a remark which "defies the logic of the English language", according to headteachers' leader John Dunford.

The Guardian

Then, there is the third and most common option, which defies all logic: you enter a weird catarrhal limbo that requires you to expectorate the words in English with a heavy Gothic croak.

The New Yorker

Science has got no explanation for it something immaterial (a thought?) has impacted something material (our body) in a way which utterly defies logic.

Huffington Post

Of course, my biggest problem remains the B613 storyline, which defies even the logic of this deeply illogical show.

Huffington Post

Within our lifetimes, AI will, by design, begin to behave unpredictably, thinking and acting in ways which defy human logic.

Stanford University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "which defies logic" to introduce an element of surprise or disbelief, setting up a contrast or highlighting an unexpected outcome. For example, "The company's profits increased despite the economic downturn, which defies logic."

Common error

Avoid using "which defies logic" in restrictive clauses (essential to the sentence's meaning). 'That defies logic' would be grammatically more appropriate in such cases. For example, instead of "The argument, which defies logic, was dismissed", consider "The argument that defies logic was dismissed."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "which defies logic" functions as a nonrestrictive relative clause, adding descriptive information to a preceding noun or clause. It specifies an aspect of the subject that is illogical or unreasonable. Ludwig examples show it describing decisions, arguments, and claims.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "which defies logic" is a relative clause used to describe something illogical or irrational. Ludwig AI validates that it is grammatically correct. It is most commonly found in News & Media and serves to express surprise or incredulity. While the phrase is acceptable for use, be mindful to not use it in restrictive clauses. Alternatives such as "that is illogical" or "that makes no sense" can be used to enhance your writing or express a slightly different perspective. Understanding its nuances can improve the clarity and impact of your message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that is illogical

Replaces 'defies logic' with a more direct synonym 'illogical'.

that makes no sense

Uses a more common and simpler expression to convey the same meaning.

that is irrational

Substitutes 'defies logic' with 'irrational', emphasizing the lack of reason.

that is counterintuitive

Implies the opposite of what one would expect, similar to defying logic.

that doesn't add up

An idiomatic expression indicating something is inconsistent or doesn't make sense.

that is absurd

Replaces 'defies logic' with 'absurd', highlighting the ridiculousness of something.

that is preposterous

Similar to absurd, but with a stronger emphasis on being unbelievable.

that is nonsensical

Uses the word 'nonsensical' to emphasize the lack of sense.

that is paradoxical

Highlights that a statement contains conflicting qualities.

that is contrary to reason

Directly states that something opposes reason, similar to defying logic.

FAQs

How can I use "which defies logic" in a sentence?

Use "which defies logic" to add a nonrestrictive clause that describes something that doesn't make sense or is contrary to reason. For instance, "The market's reaction to the news, which defies logic, surprised analysts."

What are some alternatives to saying "which defies logic"?

You can use alternatives like "that is illogical", "that makes no sense", or "that is irrational" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use 'that defies logic' instead of "which defies logic"?

Use 'that defies logic' in restrictive clauses (essential to the sentence's meaning) and "which defies logic" in nonrestrictive clauses (adding extra information). For example, 'A decision that defies logic should be re-evaluated' versus 'His claim, which defies logic, was ultimately rejected'.

What's the difference between "which defies logic" and "what defies logic"?

"Which defies logic" refers back to a specific noun or situation already mentioned, while "what defies logic" introduces a general concept or question. For example, 'His explanation, which defies logic, was confusing' versus 'What defies logic is the sudden change in policy'.