a brief rationale

USAGE SUMMARY

'a brief rationale' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are writing an explanation or justification for a particular course of action. For example: We discussed the need to hire a new employee, and I provided a brief rationale for why this was necessary.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

Send us your suggestions, with a brief rationale, and we'll post the best of them later in the week.

The New Yorker

Finally, a brief rationale for the need to design a biomimetic material inspired by the cuttlebone microstructure is provided, based on the preceding investigation.

Journal of Bionic Engineering

Here is a brief rationale for the current collection of tossup states: Colorado: The president's victory here in 2008 was among his favorites, after the state had voted Republican in eight of the nine prior presidential races.

The New York Times

In Section 3, after a brief rationale and review of the κESM LPP, the proposed αESM model is derived.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

The CSR managers were required in a second, an open-ended question, to indicate the most likely decisions their respective companies will take when faced with the similar dilemmas (in a structured question item), after which they were required to give a brief rationale for their decisions (in an open-ended question item).

International Journal of Corporate Social Responsibility

A brief rationale for the different behavioural schedules would be useful in that regard.

F1000Research

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

Data description, sources, and brief rationale for inclusion of each covariate are provided in Table 1.

Health Economics Review

A brief description and rationale of the background of HGT cycles and dual-purpose power and water systems is given.

Desalination

Investigators who would like access to the trial data set are encouraged to submit a brief application, outlining rationale and analytical plan, to the trial management group for approval for additional studies.

BMJ Open

When collages are completed, ask students to write a brief caption expressing the rationale behind their work.

The New York Times

The best thing is the way it limits the role of its curator to a brief introduction explaining the rationale for the selections to follow.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a brief rationale" when introducing a decision or proposal, especially when time or space is limited.

Common error

Avoid making "a brief rationale" so concise that it lacks essential information, leaving the audience without a clear understanding of the underlying reasons.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a brief rationale" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as a direct object or subject complement. According to Ludwig AI, it is considered grammatically correct and usable in written English. It introduces the reasons or justifications behind something.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

30%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a brief rationale" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase that functions as a noun phrase. According to Ludwig AI, it is appropriate for written English and serves to introduce concise justifications or explanations. It is frequently found in scientific and news contexts. To enhance clarity, ensure the rationale is succinct yet sufficiently informative. Consider alternatives such as "a short explanation" or "a concise justification" depending on the desired nuance. The phrase's versatility and widespread use in authoritative sources, such as The New York Times and various scientific publications, reinforce its value in professional communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a short explanation

Replaces 'rationale' with 'explanation' emphasizing the act of clarifying.

a concise justification

Substitutes 'rationale' with 'justification' focusing on defending a decision or action.

a quick explanation

Uses 'quick' instead of 'brief', maintaining the meaning of brevity while focusing on speed.

a succinct reason

Replaces both 'brief' and 'rationale' to give an alternative that is shorter and more direct.

a compact justification

Uses 'compact' to reinforce the idea of something presented in a space-saving way.

a summarized explanation

Implies that an explanation has been condensed to its essential points.

a condensed reason

Focuses on reducing the explanation to its bare essentials.

a thumbnail justification

Analogy to a small image, indicating a very small amount of explanation.

a miniature explanation

Emphasizes the small scale of the explanation.

a short account of reasons

Expands on the rationale by including a word that is a synonym, 'account', with 'reasons'.

FAQs

How can I use "a brief rationale" in a sentence?

You can use "a brief rationale" to introduce the reasons behind a decision, action, or proposal. For example, "The report includes "a brief rationale" for the proposed changes to the policy".

What's the difference between "a brief rationale" and "a detailed explanation"?

"A brief rationale" offers a concise justification, whereas "a detailed explanation" provides a comprehensive and thorough account. The choice depends on the context and the level of information required.

What can I say instead of "a brief rationale"?

Alternatives to "a brief rationale" include "a short explanation", "a concise justification", or "a quick reason" depending on the context and the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "a brief rationale" in formal writing?

Yes, "a brief rationale" is suitable for formal writing when you need to provide a concise justification or explanation. However, ensure that it sufficiently covers the essential points to maintain clarity and avoid ambiguity.