Word
deductive
Phoneticsde·duc·tive, stress on the second syllable
US/dɪˈdəktəv/
UK/dɪdˈʌktɪv/
Definition
adj. starting from general rules to reach a sure answer about something specific. You use it when you work from what you know is true to what must follow.
adj. Relating to reasoning from general principles to specific conclusions that follow necessarily. Often contrasted with inductive reasoning, which moves from observations to probable generalizations.
Examples
“She uses deductive thinking to solve the puzzle.”
“The detective uses deductive reasoning to link the clues and find the missing phone.”
“While inductive studies suggest patterns from data, deductive work tests whether those patterns must hold when the starting assumptions are true.”
Examples
simple
“She uses deductive thinking to solve the puzzle.”
contextual
“The detective uses deductive reasoning to link the clues and find the missing phone.”
complex
“While inductive studies suggest patterns from data, deductive work tests whether those patterns must hold when the starting assumptions are true.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “deductive” in context.
Verb
01. apply deductive
“Researchers apply deductive logic to test whether the theory holds.”
verb + adj
02. employ deductive
“Detectives employ deductive methods to narrow down the suspects.”
verb + adj
Adjective
03. highly deductive
“Chess analysis is highly deductive, requiring step-by-step calculation.”
adv + adj
Noun
04. deductive approach
“The course takes a deductive approach, from rules to examples.”
adj + noun
05. deductive argument
“A valid deductive argument guarantees the conclusion if premises are true.”
adj + noun
06. deductive inference
“Each deductive inference must follow necessarily from previous steps.”
adj + noun
07. deductive logic
“Sherlock Holmes is famous for using deductive logic to solve crimes.”
adj + noun
08. deductive method
“Science often uses the deductive method to test general theories.”
adj + noun
09. deductive reasoning
“Strong deductive reasoning is essential for mathematics and philosophy.”
adj + noun
10. a purely deductive argument
“Euclid's proof is a purely deductive argument from first principles.”
11. apply deductive logic to
“Engineers apply deductive logic to troubleshoot system failures.”
12. follow a deductive approach
“The essay follows a deductive approach, starting with the main theory.”
Usage
Commonly collocates with 'reasoning', 'logic', 'method', and 'argument'.
Word family
VERB
ADJECTIVE
Related words
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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QR code
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