reasoning

reasoning — noun

1. the mental process of forming ideas and reaching conclusions by thinking careful

1.nounB2
Definition

the mental process of forming ideas and reaching conclusions by thinking carefully and logically about facts or evidence

Example

The scientist explained the reasoning behind her new treatment in words that everyone could understand.

the reasoning behind [noun]

Layla's reasoning was hard to follow because she kept jumping from one idea to another.

Common collocations
  • logical reasoning
  • careful reasoning
  • reasoning behind
  • reasoning for
  • reasoning about
  • chain of reasoning
  • apply reasoning
  • faulty reasoning
Synonyms
  • logic

    focuses on the formal principles of valid argument, whereas reasoning includes the broader mental journey

  • rationale

    more formal, often refers to the stated justification that already exists

  • analysis

    emphasises breaking something into parts; reasoning is about drawing conclusions from those parts

  • thinking

    broader and less structured; reasoning implies a logical sequence

Antonyms
  • intuition

    relies on gut feeling rather than logical steps

Grammar Patterns

the reasoning behind [noun]

reasoning about [noun]

Usage Note

Commonly used in academic, legal, and scientific contexts. The object of the preposition behind or for is the claim or conclusion being justified — e.g., 'the reasoning behind her decision'.

Common Mistakes

I don't understand your reason.' (when referring to the logical process)
I don't understand your reasoning.
'reason' means a specific cause or explanation; 'reasoning' means the entire thought process.

2. used when someone is so stubborn or unwilling to listen that you cannot change t

2.nounB2
Definition

used when someone is so stubborn or unwilling to listen that you cannot change their mind by giving logical arguments or sensible reasons

Example

There is no reasoning with Tamar once she has decided she is right about something.

there is no reasoning with [someone]

I tried to talk Dad into a smaller car, but there was no reasoning with him.

Common collocations
  • there is no reasoning with
  • there was no reasoning with
Synonyms
  • stubborn

    an adjective describing the person; reasoning here is about the situation, not the person's character

Grammar Patterns

there is no reasoning with [someone]

Usage Note

Only used in the fixed construction there is/no reasoning with + person. This sense never appears outside this pattern. Distinguish from sense 1, where reasoning refers to a mental process rather than an impossibility.

Common Mistakes

There is no reasoning to him.
There is no reasoning with him.
the preposition must be 'with', not 'to'.
His reasoning is impossible.' (intended meaning: he won't listen)
There is no reasoning with him.
sense 2 requires the fixed 'there is no reasoning with' pattern.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

All four words relate to how we process information, but they differ in scope and formality. Logic is the strictest — it refers to the formal rules of valid argument (if A = B and B = C, then A = C). Reasoning is a broader mental journey that may use logic but also includes intuition, experience, and judgment. Rationale is the most formal and usually refers to the already-stated justification for a decision or policy (e.g., "the rationale behind the new law"). Analysis is the act of breaking something into parts to understand it, while reasoning draws conclusions from those parts. In everyday language, you would say "I don't follow your reasoning" to question someone's argument, but "I see the logic in that" to agree with it. "The rationale for the change" sounds more official and prepared than "the reasoning for the change."

logic ↗rationale ↗analysis ↗thinking ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

  • logically

Phrases

  • there is no reasoning with

Prepositions

Etymology

LatinOld FrenchEnglish

Reasoning is formed from the verb reason (to think logically) plus the suffix -ing, which turns the action into a noun. The verb reason itself comes from Old French raisoner (to speak, argue), from Latin rationari (to calculate, think), based on ratio (reckoning, understanding). The sense of 'there is no reasoning with someone' — expressing impossibility of persuasion — developed in the 1800s.