Common Deductive Argument Forms

Valid Form

Invalid Cousin

Modus Ponens If P, then Q.
P.
__________
Q.

Affirming the
Consequent
If P, then Q.
Q.
__________
P.
Modus Tollens If P, then Q.
Not-Q.
___________
Not-P.

Denying the
Antecedent
If P, then Q.
Not-P.
__________
Not-Q.
Disuncti!e
"yllogism

#ither P or Q.
Not-P.
_____________
Q.

Dysfunction$l
"yllogism
%Inclusi!e &or'(
#ither P or Q.
Q.
____________
Not-P.
)y*othetic$l
"yllogism
If P, then Q.
If Q, then +.
_____________
If P, then +.

Illegitim$te
"yllogism
If P, then Q.
If +, then Q.
__________
If P, then +.
Dilemm$ #ither P or Q.
If P, then +.
If Q, then +.
___________
+.

,$lse Dichotomy #ither P or Q %or "(.
If P, then +.
If Q, then +.
__________
+.
Contr$*osition If P, then Q.
___________
If not-Q, then not-P.


Con!ersion If P, then Q.
__________
If Q, then P.
"im*lific$tion P $nd Q.
_______
P.


Conunction P.
________
P $nd Q.
Addition P.
_______
"u-tr$ction P or Q.
________
P or Q.


P.