a legitimate explanation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a legitimate explanation" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to an explanation that is valid, reasonable, or justifiable in a given context. Example: "After reviewing the evidence, the committee concluded that there was indeed a legitimate explanation for the discrepancies in the report."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

However, there may be a legitimate explanation for this.

Independent

So he has a legitimate explanation for traveling the country meeting with Republicans.

The New York Times

It was a legitimate explanation for Liverpool's inconsistency, not an excuse.

The Guardian - Sport

"There may be a legitimate explanation here because the White House counsel had responsibility for handling these documents," said Beth Nolan, White House counsel under President Clinton.

The New York Times

That is a legitimate explanation, but the other explanation offered by Esposito was that Froese had a 15-0-0 15-0-0 15-0-0 versus the Penguins - all while with the Flyers...

The New York Times - Sports

In a briefing with reporters, Lady Amos cited Mr. Mbeki's role as a negotiator between Mr. Mugabe's ZANU-PF party and the opposition as a legitimate explanation for his reluctance to confront his fellow leader.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

Jason Delisle, who directs the New America Foundation's federal education budget project, said there "could be a perfectly legitimate explanation" for Sallie Mae's relative shortcomings or, he speculated, the company may not be aggressive in enrolling borrowers into IBR or may not be informing enough borrowers about the initiative.

Huffington Post

@HassanRouhani is a legitimate account.

The New York Times

These are all legitimate explanations.

BBC

A revamp or change that is wildly inconsistent with the canon of fandom -- say, recasting a white character with a black one without legitimate explanation -- and then lying about it during production to silence fans is not just insulting to the inner child, it's insulting to the adult who wants to experience a form of nostalgia.

Huffington Post

Even in the areas where American policy has been less successful for instance in the still unsolved Israel-Palestine tangle, or the effects of sanctions in Iraq there is a worrying confusion between (legitimate) explanation and (unwarranted) justification of last month's terror.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a legitimate explanation", ensure that the context clearly indicates what is being explained and why it requires justification. For example, "The sudden departure had a legitimate explanation, as the employee's family was facing an emergency."

Common error

Avoid using "a legitimate explanation" as a placeholder without actually providing the explanation. Immediately follow the phrase with the specific reasons or details to avoid vagueness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a legitimate explanation" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb (e.g., "provide", "offer", "seek") or as a complement to a noun (e.g., "the need for"). As noted by Ludwig, it denotes a valid or justifiable reason for something.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a legitimate explanation" is a commonly used expression to introduce or refer to a valid and justifiable reason for something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and serves to provide clarification or justification in various contexts. Its neutral register makes it suitable for use in news, business, and general communication. When using this phrase, it's important to follow it with specific details to avoid vagueness and ensure clarity. Alternatives such as "a valid reason" or "a justifiable cause" can be used to add nuance to the explanation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a valid reason

Focuses on the justification being factually correct and acceptable.

a justifiable cause

Highlights the moral or ethical permissibility of the explanation.

a reasonable rationale

Emphasizes the logical and coherent nature of the explanation.

a defensible argument

Stresses the ability to protect or uphold the explanation against criticism.

a plausible alibi

Specifically refers to an explanation that seems believable, especially in legal contexts.

an acceptable excuse

Suggests the explanation is adequate to forgive or overlook a fault.

a credible account

Highlights the trustworthiness and believability of the explanation.

a sound basis

Implies that the explanation has a strong and reliable foundation.

a tenable position

Focuses on the explanation being able to be maintained or defended against attack.

a convincing story

Emphasizes the persuasive and compelling nature of the explanation.

FAQs

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

Use "a legitimate explanation" to introduce a valid reason or justification for an action, event, or situation. For example, "The company provided "a legitimate explanation" for the sudden price increase."

What are some alternatives to "a legitimate explanation"?

You can use alternatives like "a valid reason", "a justifiable cause", or "a reasonable rationale" depending on the context.

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

It is appropriate to use "a legitimate explanation" when you want to convey that there is a valid, reasonable, or justifiable reason for something that might otherwise be questioned or misunderstood. This phrase is applicable when someone is seeking to clarify the reasons behind something they don't understand.

What's the difference between "a legitimate explanation" and "an excuse"?

"A legitimate explanation" implies a valid and justifiable reason, whereas "an excuse" often suggests an attempt to avoid blame or responsibility, and may not be entirely truthful or justifiable.