Meaning & use
logical consequence
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Meanings
nouncountabletechnicalformal
A statement that must be true if certain other statements are true, because of the rules of logic.
Grammar: Often used with 'a' or 'the', and followed by 'of' to show what it comes from: a logical consequence of the premises.
Patterns
- a logical consequence of something
- logical consequence of the premises
In a valid argument, the conclusion is a logical consequence of the premises.
The scientist argued that climate change is a logical consequence of increased greenhouse gas emissions.
If all humans are mortal and Socrates is human, then Socrates's mortality is a logical consequence.
nouncountableformal
A result that follows naturally from a situation or decision, especially in a formal or academic context.
Grammar: Used more generally than the strict logical sense; often in academic writing about cause and effect.
Patterns
- a logical consequence of something
- as a logical consequence
The new policy was a logical consequence of the budget cuts.
As a logical consequence of the merger, several departments were combined.
Higher temperatures are a logical consequence of the trapped heat.
Word forms
| plural | logical consequences |
|---|
Common combinations
- a logical consequence of
- The flooding was a logical consequence of the heavy rainfall.
- direct logical consequence
- The change in law was a direct logical consequence of the court ruling.
- follow as a logical consequence
- From these assumptions, it follows as a logical consequence that the system will fail.
- necessary logical consequence
- In this theory, gravity is a necessary logical consequence of mass.
Synonyms and how they differ
- entailment
- A technical term in logic meaning the same relationship, but used more in formal logic textbooks.
- implication
- Often used in everyday language for a suggested or indirect result, not necessarily a strict logical one.
- result
- A general word for an outcome; it does not imply a logical relationship.
Word family
- logically adverb
- In a way that follows clear reasoning.
- logician noun
- A person who studies or is skilled in logic.
- consequent adjective
- Following as a result or effect.
- consequential adjective
- Important or significant; also meaning following as a result.
Commonly confused: logical consequence or consequence? logical consequence or logical conclusion?
logical consequence vs consequence
On its own, 'consequence' means any result, often a bad one. 'Logical consequence' is a specific term in logic and formal reasoning.
logical consequence vs logical conclusion
A 'logical conclusion' is the final point reached by reasoning, not the relationship between statements.
Practice
In logic, if statement B must be true whenever statement A is true, then B is a ___ of A.
Choose one answer.
'Logical consequence' describes the relationship where one statement must be true if another is true. 'Logical conclusion' is the end point of reasoning, not the relationship itself. 'Logical reasoning' is the process, and 'logical fallacy' is an error in reasoning.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “logical consequence”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.