a legitimate claim

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a legitimate claim" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing a statement or assertion that is valid, justifiable, or recognized as true within a particular context. Example: "The lawyer presented a legitimate claim that the contract had been breached by the other party."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The one Democrat with a legitimate claim to greatness who can't be named is Lyndon Johnson.

The New Yorker

This year, each of the contenders for the title could argue a legitimate claim.

The New York Times - Sports

So we have a legitimate claim to having the strongest people in the world".

The New Yorker

"People who experienced that, and were mistreated, have a legitimate claim," he told me.

The New Yorker

"I have no doubt in my mind that this is a legitimate claim".

The New York Times - Science

A spokesman for the High Commission in London said: "The Indian government has a legitimate claim.

Independent

(I'm not sure that this or any cable operator has a legitimate claim to having fans).

The New York Times - Sports

Rather, an individual claiming a protected interest must have a legitimate claim of entitlement to it.

Cornell University

What if a third party enters the negotiations with a legitimate claim to the assets?

Yale University

But James and these Cavaliers and the City of Cleveland have a legitimate claim.

The Guardian - Sport

I think the UK has a legitimate claim to being the world leader on open data.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a legitimate claim" when you want to emphasize that a statement or demand is fair, justifiable, and based on sound reasoning or evidence.

Common error

Avoid using "a legitimate claim" to describe something that is merely popular or widely accepted. Legitimacy implies a basis in reason, law, or ethics, not just widespread agreement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a legitimate claim" functions as a noun phrase, where the adjective "legitimate" modifies the noun "claim". It describes a statement or assertion that is recognized as valid or justifiable. As Ludwig AI points out, it's grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Academia

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

10%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a legitimate claim" is a commonly used and grammatically sound phrase that signifies a valid, justifiable, or well-founded assertion. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and broad applicability. It appears most frequently in news and media, academic writing, and formal business contexts. When using this phrase, ensure that the claim genuinely possesses a basis in reason, law, or ethics, rather than simply being popular or widely accepted. Alternatives such as "a valid claim" or "a rightful claim" can be used to add nuance to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a rightful claim

Replaces "legitimate" with "rightful", emphasizing the just or deserved nature of the claim.

a valid claim

Substitutes "legitimate" with "valid", focusing on the claim's factual or legal soundness.

a justifiable claim

Replaces "legitimate" with "justifiable", highlighting the defensible or reasonable basis of the claim.

a well-founded claim

Indicates that the claim has a solid basis in evidence or reason.

a credible claim

Emphasizes the believability and trustworthiness of the claim.

a defensible claim

Focuses on the claim being able to be supported against scrutiny or challenge.

a substantiated claim

Indicates that the claim is supported by evidence or proof.

a tenable claim

Highlights the claim's ability to be maintained or defended.

a plausible claim

Focuses on the claim being believable or likely to be true.

a supportable claim

Indicates that the claim can be backed up with evidence or arguments.

FAQs

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

You can use "a legitimate claim" to describe a statement or demand that is fair and justifiable, for example: "The company has "a legitimate claim" for damages due to the breach of contract."

What are some alternatives to "a legitimate claim"?

Some alternatives include "a valid claim", "a rightful claim", or "a justifiable claim", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What makes a claim "a legitimate claim"?

A claim is considered "a legitimate claim" when it is based on sound evidence, reasoning, or legal principles, and is recognized as valid within a particular context.

Is there a difference between "a legitimate claim" and "a legal claim"?

While both phrases refer to assertions, "a legitimate claim" is broader and can encompass ethical or moral justifications, whereas "a legal claim" specifically refers to an assertion enforceable by law.