a credible reason

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a credible reason" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing a justification or explanation that is believable and trustworthy. Example: "The committee required a credible reason for the delay in the project timeline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

He was a credible reason, too.

The New York Times - Arts

Just the potential to be a kite-flying spot on the Hudson River gives the museum a credible reason to mount this show.

The New York Times

By the time he had gotten through the above section, he had exhausted any hope of finding a credible reason for the U.S. to maintain its involvement in the conflict.

The New Yorker

Smith has produced a useful checklist of elements essential to a full, "categorical" apology: Yentob's lacks several, from genuine regret to a credible reason for apologising, beyond his having been asked to.

The Guardian - Opinion

Senator John Kerry, Democrat of Massachusetts, and Gov. Bill Richardson of New Mexico had both volunteered to go, and each had a credible reason: Mr. Kerry because Mr. Gomes is his constituent; Mr. Richardson because he has carried out these rescue missions before.

The New York Times

These days a stammering Prince Charming and an independent tomboy in flight from her inner princess need a credible reason to get together, but "ambling through their screwball paces, the stars exhibit so little personal chemistry that they seem barely aware of each other," Stephen Holden wrote in The New York Times.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

The directors do not have any credible reason to fear that the Hong Kong authorities have any recourse to the loans made to BCFC by Carson Yeung".

The Guardian - Sport

"If the Justice Department had any credible reason for dropping these charges, what do they have to hide by providing those answers to Congress?" Mr. Smith and Mr. Wolf asked.

The New York Times

Yet since so few irradiated foods are available at present, a more credible reason is cost: irradiation adds about six cents a pound to the price.Curiously, one company that may not insist on irradiation is Jack in the Box, the hamburger chain where the 1993 E.coli outbreak took place.

The Economist

The majority's decision rested in part on a 2006 ruling by the state's top court that determined that an officer is allowed to request information from a person if there is an "objective, credible reason, not necessarily indicative of criminality".

The New York Times

"Defendant's abrupt, halting and furtive movements provided the police with an objective credible reason for asking defendant if he was a resident of the New York City Housing Authority building, and subsequent events led to a lawful stop-and-frisk," Justice Andrias wrote.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a credible reason", ensure the reason you provide is supported by evidence or logical reasoning to enhance believability.

Common error

Avoid using "a credible reason" when the justification lacks evidence or logical support. Overstating the credibility can undermine your argument.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a credible reason" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where "credible" is an adjective modifying the noun "reason". It identifies a justification or explanation that is believable and trustworthy. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a credible reason" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to introduce a believable justification. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and general applicability. It is prevalent in news and media and suitable for various contexts. When employing this phrase, ensure the reason you provide is substantiated with evidence to enhance believability. Alternatives like "a plausible explanation" or "a valid rationale" can be used for slight variations in meaning and nuance. The most authoritative sources using this phrase are The New York Times, The Guardian and Huffington Post.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a plausible explanation

Focuses more on the believability of the explanation itself.

a convincing justification

Emphasizes the act of defending or proving something to be right or reasonable.

a valid rationale

Highlights the logical basis or underlying principle for something.

a sound argument

Focuses on the logical strength and validity of the reasoning.

a legitimate motive

Shifts the focus to the underlying cause or incentive for an action.

a defensible position

Highlights the ability to protect or justify a viewpoint against criticism.

a supportable claim

Emphasizes that the statement can be backed up with evidence or proof.

a well-founded basis

Implies that the reason is firmly established and has a solid foundation.

a substantive ground

Indicates that the reason is important and meaningful, not trivial or superficial.

a reasonable cause

Highlights the fairness and appropriateness of the reason.

FAQs

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

You can use "a credible reason" to introduce a believable justification for an action or decision. For example, "The company provided "a credible reason" for the product recall, citing safety concerns".

What are some alternatives to "a credible reason"?

Some alternatives include "a plausible explanation", "a valid rationale", or "a convincing justification". The best choice depends on the specific context.

What makes a reason credible?

A credible reason is one that is believable and trustworthy, often supported by evidence, logical reasoning, or expert opinion. It should withstand scrutiny and be consistent with known facts.

Is it better to provide "a credible reason" or "any reason"?

Providing "a credible reason" is always preferable. Any reason might be factually or logically unsound. If it is, it could damage confidence and trust.