Meaning & use
line of reasoning
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Meaning
phrasecountableformal
The series of connected thoughts or steps by which someone moves from a starting point to a conclusion.
Grammar: Used like a noun with an or the: follow his line of reasoning.
Patterns
- follow someone's line of reasoning
- a line of reasoning that leads to something
I could not follow his line of reasoning, because he skipped several steps.
The lawyer's line of reasoning led the jury to doubt the evidence.
Her line of reasoning was simple: if prices rise, fewer people will buy.
Word forms
| plural | lines of reasoning |
|---|
Common combinations
- follow a line of reasoning
- It was easy to follow her line of reasoning.
- flawed line of reasoning
- The report rests on a flawed line of reasoning.
- a similar line of reasoning
- The other judge used a similar line of reasoning.
- pursue a line of reasoning
- The detective decided to pursue a different line of reasoning.
- challenge a line of reasoning
- The student dared to challenge the teacher's line of reasoning.
Synonyms and how they differ
- argument
- Argument is the set of reasons offered in support of a view, whereas line of reasoning stresses the order in which the thoughts connect.
- train of thought
- Train of thought describes the flow of ideas in a person's mind, which may wander, while line of reasoning is more deliberate and logical.
- logic
- Logic means the rules or quality of correct thinking in general, but line of reasoning names one particular chain of thought.
- rationale
- Rationale gives the reasons behind a decision, with less emphasis on the steps of the process.
Word family
- reason verb
- to think in a logical way and reach a conclusion
- reasoning noun
- the process of thinking logically
- reasonable adjective
- fair, sensible and based on good reasons
- reasoned adjective
- based on careful thought and logic
Commonly confused: line of reasoning or line of thought?
line of reasoning vs line of thought
Line of thought is similar but can be any direction of thinking, while line of reasoning implies logical steps toward a conclusion.
Practice
The prosecutor's ____ was clear: the suspect had the keys, the motive and no alibi.
Choose one answer.
A line of reasoning is the chain of logical steps leading to a conclusion, which matches the three connected facts. The other phrases are fixed expressions with different meanings.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “line of reasoning”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.