a convenient rationale

USAGE SUMMARY

"a convenient rationale" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when discussing a justification or reasoning that is easy or advantageous for a particular situation. For example, "The company provided a convenient rationale for the price increase." Alternative expressions include "a handy justification" and "a practical explanation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

This provided a convenient rationale for the Milwaukee archbishop Rembert Weakland, who shifted the blame onto teenage victims in a 1988 article for The Catholic Herald.

The New York Times - Books

Kim Jong Il's "rogue state" provided a convenient rationale for deploying the only kind of A.B.M. system that might be politically and diplomatically salable and technically even marginally feasible: a very limited one, based in Alaska and not overtly aimed at neutralizing China's deterrent.

The New Yorker

For China, it provides a convenient rationale for buying or building new weapons systems to deny the United States complete control over air and sea.

Huffington Post

As more credits were expunged, some in the industry began to question whether Hughes's hunt for subversives served primarily as a convenient rationale for further curtailing production and trimming expenses.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Excessive concern with avoiding false positive findings (Type I errors, or the incorrect rejection of the null hypothesis) can supply, as in other contexts, a credible and convenient rationale for doing nothing.

Globalization and Health

This provided a convenient economic rationale for opposing it: inefficient selection meant wasted talent.So, in 1965, while the Plowden committee was still sitting, local-education authorities were told to start preparing for the abolition of the 11-plus.

The Economist

The same convenient rationale that permitted President Bush to block the release of a 28-page classified section of the 2003 joint Congressional inquiry into the Sept 11 attacks.

Huffington Post

One of the unintended consequences of a customer bill of rights--or any complex new government regulations designed to achieve the same end--could be to provide a convenient, though inadvertent, rationale for making acceptable what was previously inexcusable.

Huffington Post

The typology provides a convenient basis for categorizing the research issues in SSQI based on their underlying theoretical rationale.

International Journal of Quality Innovation

A convenient absence?

The Guardian - Tech

It's a convenient rationalization.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a convenient rationale" when you want to emphasize that a reason is not only justifiable but also particularly advantageous or easy to apply in a given situation.

Common error

Avoid relying on "a convenient rationale" as a substitute for thoroughly investigating the underlying causes or complexities of a situation. Overusing this phrase can suggest a superficial understanding or a lack of critical thinking.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a convenient rationale" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes a reason or justification that is not only valid but also advantageous or expedient. As Ludwig AI explains, its usage is considered correct and appropriate for written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

30%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a convenient rationale" is a noun phrase used to describe a reason or justification that is both valid and advantageous. Ludwig AI confirms it is grammatically correct and appropriate for use. While not exceedingly common, it appears in a variety of contexts, particularly in news, science, and general writing. Alternatives such as "a useful justification" or "an expedient justification" can be used to convey similar meanings with slightly different nuances. Remember to use this phrase thoughtfully, avoiding overuse as a substitute for deeper analysis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a useful justification

Changes "convenient" to "useful", focusing on practicality rather than ease of use.

an expedient justification

Substitutes "convenient" with "expedient", suggesting a focus on effectiveness and achieving a desired outcome.

a handy explanation

Replaces "rationale" with "explanation", implying a simpler, more readily understood reason.

a strategically sound reasoning

Focuses on the strategic aspect, suggesting the reasoning is carefully planned for a specific purpose.

a pragmatic reason

Replaces both "convenient" and "rationale" with "pragmatic reason", highlighting the practical aspect of the justification.

a well-suited justification

Emphasizes the appropriateness of the justification for a specific situation.

a politically advantageous reason

Specifically frames the rationale as beneficial in a political context.

a self-serving explanation

Adds a negative connotation, suggesting the rationale primarily benefits the person offering it.

a readily available excuse

Highlights the ease with which the rationale can be used, possibly implying a lack of depth.

a beneficial pretext

Implies the rationale may be a cover for a different, less acceptable reason.

FAQs

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

You can use "a convenient rationale" to describe a reason that is both justifiable and advantageous in a particular context. For example: "The company used the economic downturn as "a convenient rationale" for laying off employees."

What are some alternatives to "a convenient rationale"?

Alternatives include "a useful justification", "a handy explanation", or "an expedient justification". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "a convenient rationale" always a negative thing?

Not necessarily. While it can sometimes imply that a reason is being used opportunistically, "a convenient rationale" simply means the reason is both justifiable and advantageous. The context determines whether it's positive, negative, or neutral.

What's the difference between "a convenient rationale" and "a valid reason"?

"A valid reason" simply means the reason is sound or justifiable. "A convenient rationale", on the other hand, implies that the reason is not only valid but also particularly advantageous or easy to use in the given situation.