a certain justification

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a certain justification" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a specific but not explicitly defined reason or rationale for something. Example: "In order to proceed with the project, we need to provide a certain justification for the budget increase."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

"There is a certain justification," he said.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Several different claims, each having a certain amount of justification, have been made with respect to the origin of modern Western numerals, commonly spoken of as Arabic but preferably as Hindu-Arabic.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In this way, a designer acquires a certain degree of justification in bypassing expert intuition.

Procedia Engineering

These premises claim, in effect, that a moral belief needs a certain kind of justification.

SEP

Even the words "personal essay" give him the creeps: "I hesitate to use the designation personal because it has come to suggest, with some justification, a certain contemporary predisposition toward narcissism".

The New York Times - Books

Pure modeling studies on database building and evaluation of highly simplified adsorption models were also carried out and these will be discussed along with a suggestion to relate a model to a certain purpose to facilitate justification of the model approach chosen.

Applied Geochemistry

Correlation of binding sites and clefts in a certain protein is a justification of our investigation on the clefts.

BioMed Research International

If a context of justification within a certain semiotic system is established by mapping, it becomes "an authority that may be hard to dislodge" (Harley 2001a, p. 168), since alternative facts, linkages, and interpretations may not be displayed within the semiotic system.

International Journal of Disaster Risk Science

I can assure you that I could not find a trace of Brazilian officials use of your work as a justification of a certain policy towards the Yanomamö.

Human Nature

Euripedes Alcantara replied: I can assure you that I could not find a trace of Brazilian officials use of your work as a justification of a certain policy towards the Yanomamö.

Human Nature

It may be nothing like your image of the quintessential New Yorker cartoon, but my tastes have always been simple, like the fictional New Yorker editor on "Seinfeld" whose justification for running a certain abstruse cartoon was: "I like the kitty".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a certain justification" when you want to indicate that there is a reason or rationale, but you do not need to specify it in detail. It implies that there is a justification, and it is known, but not explicitly stated.

Common error

Avoid using "a certain justification" when a more specific and detailed explanation would provide clarity and strengthen your argument. Being too vague can weaken your message.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a certain justification" functions as a noun phrase, often serving as the object of a verb or preposition. It introduces the concept of a reason or rationale without specifying its exact nature. Ludwig AI identifies its use in various contexts, indicating its versatility.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

34%

News & Media

33%

Formal & Business

11%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

8%

Wiki

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a certain justification" is a noun phrase that implies the existence of a specific but unspecified reason or rationale. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically correct and suitable for use in various contexts, including news reports, scientific articles, and business communications. Its communicative purpose is to acknowledge the existence of a reason without explicitly stating it, maintaining a level of vagueness for strategic or contextual reasons. While the phrase can be useful, it's important to avoid overuse and ensure that clarity is not sacrificed for the sake of ambiguity. Alternatives like "a specific rationale" or "a particular reason" may be more appropriate when greater specificity is desired.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a specific rationale

Replaces "certain" with "specific", emphasizing the particular nature of the justification.

a particular reason

Substitutes "justification" with "reason", focusing on the cause or explanation.

a definite explanation

Uses "definite explanation" instead, highlighting clarity and explicitness.

a valid rationale

Replaces "certain" with "valid", suggesting the justification is sound and acceptable.

a reasonable cause

Emphasizes the logical and sensible aspect of the justification.

a plausible argument

Focuses on the persuasive and believable nature of the justification.

a convincing ground

Highlights the compelling and persuasive basis for the justification.

a sound basis

Emphasizes the solid and reliable foundation of the justification.

a legitimate defense

Frames the justification as a valid means of defending or supporting something.

a warranted excuse

Presents the justification as a valid reason for excusing or explaining something.

FAQs

How can I use "a certain justification" in a sentence?

You can use "a certain justification" when you want to imply that there is a specific reason for something, without explicitly stating what that reason is. For example, "The decision was made with "a certain justification" in mind, though it wasn't disclosed to the public".

What are some alternatives to "a certain justification"?

Alternatives include "a specific rationale", "a particular reason", or "a valid explanation". The best choice depends on the context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to be specific instead of using "a certain justification"?

In many cases, being specific is preferable for clarity. However, "a certain justification" can be useful when you want to acknowledge that a reason exists without revealing sensitive information or getting bogged down in details. It depends on the context.

What does "a certain justification" imply?

The phrase "a certain justification" implies that there's a definite reason or rationale, but that it's either implied, understood, or not being explicitly stated for some reason. It signals that there is a basis for a decision or action, even if it's not being fully disclosed.