Meaning & use
against reason
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Meaning
phrasefixed phraseformal
Not sensible or not supported by clear thinking; contrary to what is logical.
Grammar: Used after be or as an adverb phrase: it is against reason; against reason, he refused.
Patterns
- it is against reason
- go against reason
- against reason, someone does something
It is against reason to expect a child to work all day without rest.
Against reason, she trusted a stranger with all her savings.
The court found the decision against reason and unfair.
Common combinations
- it is against reason
- It is against reason to blame the whole team for one person's error.
- go against reason
- Such a demand seems to go against reason.
- against all reason
- Against all reason, he kept hoping for good news.
Synonyms and how they differ
- illogical
- An adjective that describes an idea or action directly; against reason is a formal phrase used after verbs like be or seem.
- irrational
- Often describes feelings or fears that are not based on reason, while against reason usually describes a judgment or decision.
- unreasonable
- More common in everyday English and often suggests unfairness, not just lack of logic.
Opposites
Commonly confused: against reason or against the reason?
against reason vs against the reason
The fixed phrase does not use 'the'; say 'against reason'.
Practice
Which sentence uses the phrase correctly?
Choose one answer.
'Against reason' is a fixed phrase with no article or plural. Options 2 and 3 add 'the' or make it plural, and option 4 adds 'of', which is not used here.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “against reason”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.