a defensible reason

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a defensible reason" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a justification or rationale that can be supported or defended logically. Example: "In order to proceed with the project, we need to present a defensible reason for our approach to the stakeholders."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

A partner's affair could no longer be treated by courts as a defensible reason to lose control and kill.

The Guardian - Opinion

Maybe that would have been a defensible reason back in 1942 not to choose him to lead the Los Alamos project, though it would have been a mistake.

The New York Times - Books

The chancellor had a defensible reason for this a revision in June to the national growth figures suggested that, contrary to earlier belief, the economy in 1999 had not in fact marked a new cycle by dipping below its full capacity.

The Economist

Proactively pooling resources when it comes to hate speech policies and establishing industry-wide standards will provide a defensible reason to resist direct government regulation.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Nevertheless, that commitment would give us a morally defensible reason, not just a prejudice, against such assimilation.

SEP

For police to arrest someone on criminal charges, they must either obtain a warrant or demonstrate to a judge at a probable cause hearing that they had a legally defensible reason to arrest the person.

Huffington Post

This would be a terrible thing even if it were in a defensible cause.

The New York Times

Consider the most obvious counter-example: aggressor A attacks B for no defensible reason, posing a serious threat to B's life.

SEP

"The reason they did that, the defensible reason, was a lot of kids were in danger -- the 12-year-old prostitute, the drug users -- and judges wanted to do something to save them," Mr. Butts said.

The New York Times

While costly extensions of the Bush tax cuts for the wealthy and additional estate tax relief may be the concessions to Republican lawmakers needed to move any additional stimulus, including middle class tax relief, there is no defensible reason to concede a tax hike on those earning less than $20,000.

Huffington Post

The Coalition have wound back Labor's changes and have provided not one defensible reason for doing so.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a defensible reason", ensure the reason is supported by evidence or logical arguments. Avoid relying solely on personal opinions or unsubstantiated claims.

Common error

Avoid presenting "a defensible reason" as an absolute truth. Acknowledge potential counterarguments or limitations to maintain credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a defensible reason" serves as a noun phrase that modifies a preceding action or decision, providing a justification or rationale. As Ludwig AI confirms, it indicates a reason capable of being supported or defended.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a defensible reason" is a phrase used to describe a justification or rationale that can be logically supported. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and suitability for various contexts. While often found in news and media and scientific writing, it maintains a neutral register. When employing this phrase, ensure the reason provided is backed by evidence and acknowledge potential counterarguments to maintain credibility. Alternatives such as "a justifiable cause" or "a valid explanation" may be suitable depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a justifiable cause

Emphasizes the aspect of justification, implying a moral or legal basis for the reason.

a valid explanation

Focuses on the clarity and logical coherence of the reason provided.

a sound rationale

Highlights the logical and well-reasoned nature of the explanation.

a legitimate justification

Underscores the lawfulness and acceptability of the reason.

a reasonable basis

Suggests the reason is fair and not excessive or extreme.

a supportable argument

Indicates the reason can be backed up with evidence and reasoning.

a tenable ground

Implies the reason is capable of being maintained or defended against attack or objection.

a credible motive

Highlights the believability and trustworthiness of the underlying motivation.

a plausible pretext

Suggests the reason is superficially believable but may conceal ulterior motives.

an excusable ground

Focuses on the aspect of forgiveness or understanding related to the reason.

FAQs

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

You can use "a defensible reason" to introduce a justification or rationale that can be logically supported. For example, "The company presented "a defensible reason" for its decision to restructure."

What are some alternatives to "a defensible reason"?

Alternatives include "a justifiable cause", "a valid explanation", or "a sound rationale", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "a defensible reason" or "a justifiable reason"?

Both "a defensible reason" and "a justifiable reason" are correct, but "a justifiable reason" often implies a stronger moral or ethical basis.

What's the difference between "a defensible reason" and "a plausible reason"?

"A defensible reason" suggests the reason can be logically supported and maintained, while "a plausible reason" implies the reason is believable on the surface but may not be entirely true or accurate.