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10 Gemini Prompts for Better Reasoning
[INSIDE] Prompts that improve judgment, logic, and decision-making
Keval Vachharajani
January 01, 2026
Hey folks,
Most people use AI models to write faster.
Very few use them to think better.
This is where Google Gemini quietly stands out.
Gemini is especially good at structured reasoning, exploring constraints, and working through logic-heavy problems, if you prompt it the right way. When prompted poorly, it does what every model does: writes confidently and moves on.
Here are 10 prompts I use to push Gemini into reasoning mode, not writing mode.
1️⃣ The Assumption Extractor
When to use it:
When an answer feels right, but you’re not sure why.
Prompt:
List the assumptions you are making in this answer. Separate explicit and implicit assumptions.
Why it works:
Good reasoning starts with exposing hidden assumptions.
2️⃣ The Step Validity Check
When to use it:
After Gemini gives a step-by-step explanation.
Prompt:
Go through each step of your reasoning and explain whether it logically follows from the previous step.
Why it works:
Forces internal consistency instead of surface-level logic.
3️⃣ The Counterfactual Test
When to use it:
When evaluating plans or strategies.
Prompt:
If the opposite of this conclusion were true, what evidence or reasoning would support it?
Why it works:
Prevents one-sided reasoning.
4️⃣ The Constraint Reminder Prompt
When to use it:
When answers drift away from real-world limits.
Prompt:
Re-evaluate this answer while strictly respecting the following constraints: [list constraints].
Why it works:
Gemini responds well when constraints are made explicit.
5️⃣ The Edge Case Finder
When to use it:
Before trusting an answer in production or real decisions.
Prompt:
What edge cases or uncommon scenarios could break this reasoning?
Why it works:
Reasoning fails at the edges, not the centre.
6️⃣ The Uncertainty Marker
When to use it:
When Gemini sounds too confident.
Prompt:
Which parts of this answer involve uncertainty or incomplete information?
Why it works:
Good reasoning includes uncertainty. Bad reasoning hides it.
7️⃣ The Simplification Challenge
When to use it:
When answers feel overly complex.
Prompt:
Can this reasoning be simplified without losing accuracy? If yes, show how.
Why it works:
Clarity is a signal of understanding.
8️⃣ The Alternative Framework Prompt
When to use it:
When you want a second way of thinking.
Prompt:
Solve the same problem using a different reasoning framework or mental model.
Why it works:
Multiple frameworks reveal weak logic quickly.
9️⃣ The Failure Prediction Prompt
When to use it:
Before acting on Gemini’s advice.
Prompt:
Under what conditions would this reasoning most likely fail?
Why it works:
Turns optimism into realism.
🔟 The Reviewer Mindset Prompt
When to use it:
After a long or detailed response.
Prompt:
Review this answer as if you were a critical expert. What would you question or challenge?
Why it works:
Self-critique improves reasoning quality dramatically.
Curated Prompt Library
Kickstart any task with our Curated Prompt Library, packed with ready-to-use prompts for everyday work. You can also create your own custom prompts, save them privately, and share them with your team, so everyone stays consistent, faster, and on the same page.
That’s today’s Thursday Prompts & Use Cases edition.
How to Reuse AI Prompts Without Rewriting Them
Cheers,
Keval, Editor
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