without sound reasoning

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "without sound reasoning" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe a situation or argument that lacks logical justification or rational basis. For example: "His decision was made without sound reasoning, leading to poor outcomes." Alternative expressions include "lacking logical justification" and "without logical basis."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Some people ask, not without sound reasoning, how anyone can feel any better knowing that "only" about 3,000 people died.

The New York Times

But not without sound reasoning.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

It is difficult to explain why one investigated a normative issue without explaining the meaning of the issue; the common method is logic and sound reasoning and it is applied throughout the research, and 'results' will only be considered as such if they are meaningful.

BMC International Health and Human Rights

Sound reasoning does not find an answer".

The Guardian - Film

He criticised the US authorities' persistence in the case, saying: "Where is the sound reasoning?

The Guardian - Film

But of course, people's beliefs are rarely determined by good evidence and sound reasoning alone.

The Guardian - Opinion

Are there some kinds of sound reasoning that are neither deductive nor inductive?

Encyclopedia Britannica

Anyway, I figured I'd ask to see the women, make sure they were O.K. J.C.: Sound reasoning.

The New Yorker

"Paula's always pushed buttons," her mother said, but she has always backed up her contrarian positions with sound reasoning.

The New York Times

Of course, doing it absolutely straight is sound reasoning, but it's actually not played all that straight.

The Guardian - Film

S. & P. claimed all of its ratings were independent and made in good faith, based on sound reasoning.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Incorporate this phrase into academic or journalistic writing to maintain a professional and objective tone while offering a critique.

Common error

Do not use phrases like "without sound logical reasoning" or "without rational sound reasoning". Since "sound reasoning" inherently implies a logical and rational process, adding these adjectives creates unnecessary wordiness and dilutes the impact of your statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "without sound reasoning" functions primarily as an adverbial or adjectival modifier. It qualifies how an action was performed or describes the state of an argument. According to Ludwig, the phrase follows standard English syntactic patterns where the preposition "without" governs a noun phrase headed by "reasoning", which is further qualified by the adjective "sound".

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

25%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "without sound reasoning" is an essential tool for writers who need to articulate a lack of logical foundation in a professional manner. Ludwig AI highlights its frequent use in top-tier journalism and scientific research, confirming that it is both grammatically correct and rhetorically effective. By using this phrase, you move beyond simple disagreement and provide a targeted critique of the underlying thought process. It is highly recommended for academic essays, legal briefs, and editorial commentary where clarity and intellectual rigor are paramount.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lacking logical justification

Uses more formal vocabulary suitable for academic or legal contexts

without rational basis

Emphasizes the absence of a fundamental principle or starting point

not based on sound logic

Swaps the noun reasoning for logic, which is slightly more technical

with no reasonable grounds

Often used in legal or procedural contexts to describe decisions

devoid of reason

Suggests a more total and perhaps more dramatic absence of thought

unsubstantiated by logic

Focuses on the lack of supporting evidence or proof

without valid explanation

Focuses on the communicative failure rather than the internal logic

without any intellectual foundation

Adds an extra layer of critique regarding the depth of the argument

baselessly

A more concise and aggressive way to dismiss an argument

arbitrarily

A single-word adverb that describes an action taken without logic

FAQs

How to use "without sound reasoning" in a sentence?

You can use it as an adverbial phrase to modify an action. For example: "The committee rejected the proposal "without sound reasoning", leaving the staff confused about the future of the project."

What can I say instead of "without sound reasoning"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "<a href="/s/lacking+logical+justification" target="_blank" rel="alternative">lacking logical justification", "<a href="/s/without+rational+basis" target="_blank" rel="alternative">without rational basis", or "<a href="/s/arbitrarily" target="_blank" rel="alternative">arbitrarily".

Is "without sound reasoning" considered formal English?

Yes, it is a formal and neutral expression. It is frequently used in high-level publications such as The New York Times and scientific journals like Science Magazine, making it appropriate for professional and academic writing.

What is the difference between "without sound reasoning" and "unreasonably"?

While both imply a lack of reason, "without sound reasoning" specifically critiques the logical steps taken to reach a conclusion, whereas "<a href="/s/unreasonably" target="_blank" rel="alternative">unreasonably" often refers to a person's behavior or an excessive demand.