a key justification for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a key justification for" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when explaining the main reason or rationale behind a particular action, decision, or belief. Example: "The study provides a key justification for implementing new environmental policies to combat climate change."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

Closing these tunnels has been cited by the Israeli military spokesmen as a key justification for this latest ground offensive.

The Guardian

By taking the first steps in neutralizing North Korean militarism, Mr. Clinton would have simultaneously undermined a key justification for missile defense.

The New York Times

In February, however, the supreme court ruled that for the past 30 years judges had been misinterpreting a key justification for obtaining convictions, confusing the fact that an outcome might be foreseeable with criminal intent.

The Guardian

I added that it was particularly important to challenge the relevance of "instrumental arguments" about funding; even more so to insist on the "intrinsic importance of values as a key justification" for arts support.

The Guardian

This year, the supreme court ruled that for the past 30 years judges had been misinterpreting a key justification for obtaining convictions, confusing the fact that an outcome might be foreseeable with criminal intent.

The Guardian

The use of the plural noun phrase "weapons of mass destruction" as the first part of a compound adjective modifying the plural noun phrase "program activities" -- with that second noun phrase itself one step removed from an actual "program" -- drew derision-related hooting activity from the many critics of a key justification for the overthrow of Saddam.

The New York Times - Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

Second, although the captivity of Shalit was not a legitimate justification for the blockade, it was a key justification nonetheless.

Huffington Post

At the time, the government was attempting to attract a certain type of foreign investment, particularly manufacturing, and the key justification for having well-tended trees and parks was an economic one: to underscore to investors that the country was well run, well tended, and stable.

The New York Times

Yet, that letter is the key justification for the stance of the UK government".

The Guardian

One defence of the bill offered by the government – and accepted by Labour as the key justification for its support – is that it exempts "cyclical" spending, such as unemployment benefit (now given the Orwellian name jobseekers' allowance).

The Guardian - Opinion

One key justification for the recent waves of hospital consolidation has been to achieve "economies of scale". Paradoxically, hospital and health systems' corporate overhead has actually grown — often to 15% or more of overall health system expense — as they have consolidated.

Harvard Business Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a key justification for", ensure that the justification you are presenting is indeed the most important or fundamental reason. Avoid using it for secondary or minor reasons to maintain clarity and impact.

Common error

Avoid using "a key justification for" when the justification is not truly the most significant one. Overstating the importance can weaken your argument and reduce your credibility. Ensure the justification aligns with the overall context and evidence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a key justification for" functions as a noun phrase that introduces or highlights the most important reason or rationale behind an action, decision, or argument. As Ludwig AI confirms, it correctly and effectively conveys the primary basis for something.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Academia

10%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a key justification for" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to introduce the most important reason behind an action or decision. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. It is commonly found in news, scientific, and formal business contexts. When using the phrase, ensure the justification is truly significant and aligns with the context. Consider alternatives like "a primary rationale for" or "a main reason for" to add variety to your writing. Be mindful not to overstate the importance of the justification to maintain credibility. Using this phrase effectively enhances clarity and strengthens arguments in various forms of communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a primary rationale for

Replaces "key justification" with "primary rationale", emphasizing the fundamental reason.

a main reason for

Substitutes "justification" with the more common "reason", making it slightly less formal.

a central argument for

Replaces "justification" with "argument", focusing on persuasive reasoning.

a major basis for

Uses "basis" instead of "justification", highlighting the foundation or groundwork.

a significant ground for

Employs "ground" to indicate the underlying reason, maintaining a formal tone.

a crucial motive for

Replaces "justification" with "motive", shifting the focus to the driving force behind an action.

a fundamental cause of

Uses "cause" to denote the underlying reason, suggesting a more direct causal relationship.

a prime consideration for

Shifts the focus to something being considered as very important when making a decision.

the principal explanation for

Replaces "justification" with "explanation", suggesting a clarification or account of something.

the essential underpinning of

Highlights the foundational aspect of the justification, using more technical language.

FAQs

How can I use "a key justification for" in a sentence?

Use "a key justification for" to introduce the main reason or rationale behind an action, decision, or belief. For example, "The study provides "a key justification for" implementing new environmental policies."

What can I say instead of "a key justification for"?

You can use alternatives like "a primary rationale for", "a main reason for", or "a central argument for" depending on the context.

Is it better to use "a key justification for" or "the main justification for"?

Both "a key justification for" and "the main justification for" are correct and often interchangeable. "A key justification for" implies one of several important reasons, while "the main justification for" suggests the single most important reason.

What's the difference between "a key justification for" and "a valid reason for"?

"A key justification for" indicates a significant or principal reason, whereas "a valid reason for" simply means the reason is acceptable or sound. The former carries more weight and importance.