a legitimate basis

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a legitimate basis" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing a valid reason or justification for a particular action, decision, or argument. Example: "The committee found that there was a legitimate basis for the proposed changes to the policy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Recidivism has long been recognized as a legitimate basis for increased punishment.

The New York Times

He maintains beautiful buildings and he's never brought a case without a legitimate basis".

The New York Times

Is there a legitimate basis for the cross-cultural appraisal of values?

The New York Times

The first necessity was to establish a legitimate basis of action.

Encyclopedia Britannica

This does not appear to be a legitimate basis for overturning the act.

The New York Times

An illusory profit cannot be a legitimate basis of compensation since it is not truly a profit.

The New York Times

Losses directly incurred, as well as gains prevented, may furnish a legitimate basis for compensation to the injured party.

Harvard University

The European Union took the past words of Mr. Haider as a legitimate basis to downgrade diplomatic relations, a step that the United States has not taken.

The New York Times

"It's pretty clear he has a dogmatic opposition to rail devolution and that's not a legitimate basis to take a decision," Neill told the Standard.

The Guardian

If the government is serious about finding a legitimate basis for abrogating these payments, officials must look to basic legal principles.

The New York Times

But, under the constitutional framework, it's not close to a legitimate basis for impeachment, because it's not an egregious abuse of Presidential authority.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Favor "a legitimate basis" to convey validity and justification, especially in legal, ethical, or formal settings.

Common error

While "a legitimate basis" is widely applicable, avoid using it excessively in informal conversations where simpler phrases like "good reason" or "valid point" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a legitimate basis" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often serving as the subject complement or object of a sentence. It identifies a valid or justifiable reason for an action, decision, or belief. As Ludwig AI confirms, it denotes something acceptable and in accordance with established rules or principles.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Academia

17%

Science

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a legitimate basis" is a noun phrase used to express a valid or justifiable reason for a particular action, decision, or argument. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used in written English. It appears frequently in formal contexts such as news articles, academic papers, and legal documents. When writing, it’s important to use "a legitimate basis" in contexts where you need to provide strong justification. If you need alternatives, consider phrases such as "a valid justification" or "a sound rationale" to maintain clarity and formality. The frequency and authoritative sources confirm its widespread and accepted usage in various fields.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a valid justification

Emphasizes the correctness and acceptability of the reason.

a sound rationale

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

a valid ground

Focuses on the foundation or reason on which something is based.

a justifiable reason

Stresses that the reason can be defended or shown to be right.

a well-founded cause

Indicates that the cause has a solid and reliable basis.

a reasonable justification

Highlights the logic and fairness of the justification.

a defensible argument

Emphasizes that the argument can be supported and maintained.

a warranted reason

Suggests that the reason is authorized or justified.

an acceptable pretext

Implies a reason that is considered satisfactory, though perhaps not ideal.

a plausible explanation

Focuses on the believability and credibility of the explanation.

FAQs

How can I use "a legitimate basis" in a sentence?

You can use "a legitimate basis" to indicate a valid reason or justification for something. For example: "The court determined that there was "a legitimate basis" for the search warrant."

What phrases are similar to "a legitimate basis"?

Similar phrases include "a valid justification", "a sound rationale", or "a valid ground". These alternatives can be used to express the same idea with slight variations in emphasis.

When is it appropriate to use "a legitimate basis"?

It's appropriate in formal contexts, such as legal, ethical, or business discussions, where conveying the validity and justification of a reason is essential. In informal settings, simpler phrases might be more suitable.

Is there a difference between "a legitimate basis" and "a justifiable reason"?

While both phrases convey the idea of a valid reason, "a legitimate basis" often implies a more formal or legal context, whereas "a justifiable reason" can be used more broadly. The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.