a credible rationale

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a credible rationale" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the justification or reasoning behind a decision, argument, or action that is believable and trustworthy. Example: "The committee provided a credible rationale for their decision to implement the new policy, citing extensive research and expert opinions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

"Although this did not prove to be a good commercial investment, Worldwide is a very successful business, and at the time of purchase there was a credible rationale for this deal," Diane Coyle, vice chairwoman of the trust, said in a statement.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

I have yet to see any credible rationale for the presence of these martial law provisions in the defense bill.

Huffington Post

Such methods demonstrate only a negative, violent capacity, not a viable strategy or credible rationale.

The Guardian

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

"They are a credible threat".

The New York Times

Finally, a credible 4G phone.

The New York Times

It's a credible claim.

The New York Times

"It is a credible threat.

The Economist

Romney gives a credible speech.

The New Yorker

A credible goal?

The Guardian

They couldn't make a credible face.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a credible rationale", ensure the rationale is supported by evidence and aligns with established facts or expert opinions to enhance persuasiveness.

Common error

Avoid using "a credible rationale" to describe justifications that lack concrete evidence or are based on speculation. Ensure that the rationale is genuinely supportable and not merely presented as such.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a credible rationale" functions as a noun phrase, where 'credible' modifies 'rationale'. It describes a reason or justification that is believable and trustworthy. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a credible rationale" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase that serves to describe a believable and trustworthy justification or reason. Ludwig AI confirms this assessment. While its usage is relatively rare, the phrase finds application in various contexts, predominantly in news, scientific, and formal settings. To enhance clarity and impact, ensure that any rationale described as "credible" is supported by solid evidence and aligns with established facts. Consider alternatives such as "a plausible justification" or "a convincing explanation" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

A plausible justification

Replaces "credible" with "plausible", indicating believability, and "rationale" with "justification", which suggests a reason for an action.

A convincing explanation

Substitutes "credible" with "convincing", emphasizing the ability to persuade, and "rationale" with "explanation", focusing on clarity.

A sound basis

Replaces "credible" with "sound", highlighting the strength and validity, and "rationale" with "basis", focusing on the foundation of an argument.

A valid reason

Replaces "credible rationale" with "valid reason", simplifying the phrase while maintaining the core meaning of a justifiable cause.

A defensible argument

Shifts the focus to the ability to defend a position, replacing "credible" with "defensible" and "rationale" with "argument".

A reasonable ground

Uses "reasonable" instead of "credible", suggesting logical acceptability, and "ground" instead of "rationale", focusing on the basis for belief.

A logical justification

Emphasizes the logical aspect of the rationale, using "logical" to modify "justification".

A well-founded explanation

Highlights that the explanation is based on solid evidence or reasoning.

A substantiated reason

Indicates that the reason has been supported with evidence or proof.

A tenable pretext

Replaces "credible" with "tenable", highlighting the defensibility of the rationale, and "rationale" with "pretext", suggesting a reason that might conceal the true motive.

FAQs

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

You can use "a credible rationale" when explaining why a decision was made or why a particular course of action was chosen. For example, "The board presented "a credible rationale" for their investment strategy, citing market trends and expert forecasts."

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

"A credible rationale" suggests a trustworthy justification based on solid facts or evidence, while "a plausible explanation" indicates a believable but not necessarily proven explanation. The former carries more weight in terms of reliability.

What are some alternatives to using "a credible rationale" in my writing?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "a valid reason", "a sound basis", or "a convincing explanation" to express a similar idea.

Is it better to use "credible rationale" or "valid rationale"?

Both "credible rationale" and "valid rationale" are acceptable, but "credible rationale" emphasizes the trustworthiness and believability of the reasoning, whereas "valid rationale" simply indicates that the reasoning is sound and legally acceptable. The best choice depends on the specific context.