logical fallacy

Meaning

A logical fallacy is an error in reasoning that renders an argument invalid or unsound. It occurs when the premises do not properly support the conclusion, even if the individual statements might seem persuasive. Recognizing fallacies is essential for critical thinking and academic writing.

Examples

• Attacking the speaker's character instead of their argument is a classic logical fallacy.

  Attacking the speaker's character instead of their argument is a classic logical fallacy.

• Your essay contains a logical fallacy because you assume correlation proves causation.

  Your essay contains a logical fallacy because you assume correlation proves causation.

• The debater was called out for using a logical fallacy to distract the audience from the main issue.

  The debater was called out for using a logical fallacy to distract the audience from the main issue.

• It is important to proofread your research paper to ensure it is free of any logical fallacy.

  It is important to proofread your research paper to ensure it is free of any logical fallacy.

• Assuming that something is good just because it is popular is a common logical fallacy.

  Assuming that something is good just because it is popular is a common logical fallacy.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ His speech was full of logical mistakes.

  ✓ His speech was full of logical fallacies.

  While 'mistake' is grammatically correct, 'fallacy' is the precise academic term for a flaw in reasoning or logic.

• ✗ The author committed a logic fallacy in the first paragraph.

  ✓ The author committed a logical fallacy in the first paragraph.

  The adjective form 'logical' must be used to modify 'fallacy'.

Related Expressions

Practice

• Saying that a policy is bad just because a politician you dislike supports it is a ___.

  💡 An error in reasoning.

  Show answer

  logical fallacy

• The peer reviewer pointed out a major ___ in the study's methodology.

  💡 A flaw in the logical argument.

  Show answer

  logical fallacy