a convincing rationale

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a convincing rationale" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the reasoning or justification behind a decision, argument, or action that is persuasive and well-founded. Example: "The committee approved the proposal because it presented a convincing rationale for the project's potential impact on the community."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

Throughout his tenure, Mr. Parsons has struggled to offer a convincing rationale for businesses as diverse as publishing, cable television and film production to be under one roof.

The New York Times

Throughout 1941, according to the revisionists, Roosevelt was trying mightily to find a convincing rationale for directly entering the European conflict.

Encyclopedia Britannica

To compound the sense of injury, the dogged white racism that provides a convincing rationale to many of what has happened is treated with contempt by the "do-gooders" of the welfare state - the social workers and housing officers.

The Guardian

In the end, the ministry appeared unable to present a convincing rationale for the project, and opinion polls show that around 85percentt of voters in the prefecture now oppose the dam.

The New York Times

"Once again, the president failed to provide either a plan to successfully end the war or a convincing rationale to continue it," said Mr. Reed, an author of a Democratic proposal that would withdraw most combat troops by next spring, but still leave a significant force in Iraq to provide training and security.

The New York Times

A convincing rationale for degrading UKBF was hard to find.

Science Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

The government has utterly failed to come up with any convincing rationale, merely saying that we cannot leave it to the Americans to carry the burden.

The Guardian - Opinion

The administration has not offered any convincing rationale for why any missile defense test it may need to conduct would require walking away from a treaty that has helped keep the peace for the last 30 years".

The New York Times

As Stewart was wrapping up his visit Thursday, he polled the responders with him, asking if any of them had heard any convincing rationale for stalling on their bill, which has support from large majorities of lawmakers in both chambers of Congress.

Huffington Post

Scheduled for completion this year, staffed by rotating mixed crews of American, Russian, European and Japanese astronauts, it's also among the most expensive such project, clocking in at roughly $150 billion — a figure comparable to that of Apollo, only without a destination or truly convincing rationale.

The New York Times

Addis and Jacobson (2000) examined the relationship between clients acceptance of the treatment rationale and the degree to which clients completed homework, and concluded that the ability to provide a convincing treatment rationale may be one of the crucial skills which determines the success of CBT in real-world clinical settings.

Cognitive Therapy and Research

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a convincing rationale", ensure that the rationale is not only logical but also supported by evidence or examples to make it more persuasive.

Common error

Avoid using "a convincing rationale" when the reason is already self-evident. Instead, let the facts speak for themselves without unnecessary qualification.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a convincing rationale" functions as a noun phrase that typically serves as the subject complement or object of a verb. It denotes the presence of a compelling or persuasive justification. As noted by Ludwig, it indicates the reasoning behind a decision or argument is persuasive and well-founded.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

58%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a convincing rationale" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase that serves to highlight a strong, persuasive reason or justification. As verified by Ludwig, this phrase is most commonly found in news and scientific sources. It is used to explain decisions or arguments, emphasizing the solidity and persuasiveness of the reasoning. When employing this phrase, ensure the rationale is backed by evidence to enhance its persuasive impact. While alternatives like "a persuasive justification" or "a compelling reason" exist, "a convincing rationale" is particularly suitable when a formal and well-supported explanation is needed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a persuasive justification

Emphasizes the act of justifying something in a way that is believable.

a compelling reason

Highlights the forcefulness and inescapability of the reason.

a sound explanation

Focuses on the logical and coherent nature of the explanation.

a valid argument

Suggests that the rationale is based on logical principles and evidence.

a strong reason

Implies the rationale is powerful and difficult to refute.

a well-founded basis

Highlights that the rationale is based on solid facts or principles.

a logical justification

Emphasizes the logical steps and connections within the justification.

a credible explanation

Focuses on the believability and trustworthiness of the explanation.

an acceptable ground

Indicates that the rationale is a reasonable and legitimate basis for something.

a reasonable cause

Suggests that the rationale is sensible and justified under the circumstances.

FAQs

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

You can use "a convincing rationale" when you want to express that there's a believable and well-supported reason for something. For example, "The proposal was approved because it presented a convincing rationale for its potential benefits".

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

You can use alternatives like "a persuasive justification", "a compelling reason", or "a sound explanation" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "a convincing rationale" in writing?

It's appropriate when you need to emphasize that the reason behind a decision, action, or argument is not just logical, but also well-supported by evidence and likely to persuade others.

What's the difference between "a convincing rationale" and "a plausible explanation"?

"A convincing rationale" implies a well-supported reason with evidence, whereas "a plausible explanation" simply suggests that something is believable or could be true, but without necessarily having strong supporting evidence.