a legitimate justification

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a legitimate justification" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a valid or acceptable reason for an action or decision. Example: "The committee found that there was a legitimate justification for the proposed changes to the policy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

In their experiment, used in combination with a legitimate justification for the request (for instance, that you have another job offer on the table), it seemed likely to backfire for participants.

The New Yorker

Mr. Hollande also said that France, like the United States and Britain, would view any use of chemical weapons by President Bashar al-Assad of Syria as a legitimate justification for military intervention, even without a United Nations Security Council resolution.

The New York Times

Moreover, international human rights law does not accept national legislation as a legitimate justification for the limitation of rights.

Huffington Post

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

Huffington Post

Johnson's press release said, "I simply cannot find a legitimate justification for federal laws, such as the Defense of Marriage Act, which 'define' marriage".

Huffington Post

The Ninth Circuit Court also said, "The people may not employ the initiative power to single out a disfavored group for unequal treatment and strip them, without a legitimate justification, of a right as important as the right to marry".

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

It dominated the Internet browser market and forced its will on computer manufacturers, actions "unredeemed by an legitimate justification," the court said.

Forbes

Plaintiffs present little, if any, legitimate justification for these remedies, and in most instances, these proposals are not supported by any economic analysis.

The New York Times

But the one it lost was big: Microsoft's bullying of computer makers who needed Windows "represent[s] uses of Microsoft's market power to protect its monopoly, unredeemed by any legitimate justification," the court concluded.

Forbes

Two years later, my father was terminated without any legitimate justification.

Huffington Post

accused Democrats of plotting with the White House "to pack the D.C. Circuit with appointees," and Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah) worried aloud that Democrats may "decide to play politics and seek -- without any legitimate justification -- to pack the D.C. Circuit with unneeded judges simply in order to advance a partisan agenda".

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a legitimate justification" when a situation demands a formal, well-reasoned explanation for an action or decision.

Common error

Avoid relying on "a legitimate justification" as a catch-all phrase. Overuse can dilute its impact. Instead, opt for more specific and descriptive language that reflects the actual reason or rationale.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a legitimate justification" functions as a noun phrase that typically acts as the object of a verb or the complement of a preposition. It's used to denote a reason or rationale that is considered valid, acceptable, and in accordance with established rules or principles. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's suitable for various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

29%

Formal & Business

14%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

14%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a legitimate justification" is a noun phrase used to describe a valid and acceptable reason for an action or decision. Ludwig AI confirms it's grammatically correct and usable in written English. While primarily found in news, scientific, and formal business contexts, its neutral register makes it versatile. Remember to use this phrase when a situation warrants a reasoned and ethically sound explanation, but avoid overusing it to maintain its impact. Alternatives include "a valid rationale" and "a sound explanation".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a valid rationale

Replaces "justification" with "rationale", implying a more reasoned and logical basis.

a justifiable reason

Replaces the noun phrase with an adjective-noun structure, maintaining a similar level of formality.

a sound explanation

Focuses on the clarity and comprehensibility of the reason provided.

a reasonable basis

Emphasizes the fairness and acceptability of the reason.

a fair rationale

Emphasizes the impartiality and justice of the reason.

a defensible argument

Implies that the justification is presented as a structured and supported case.

an acceptable ground

Uses "ground" to indicate a foundation or basis for an action or belief.

a valid excuse

Suggests a reason used to defend or explain a mistake or fault.

a compelling motive

Highlights the driving force or strong reason behind an action.

a lawful reason

Indicates the justification complies with the law.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "a legitimate justification"?

You can use alternatives like "a valid rationale", "a sound explanation", or "a reasonable basis" depending on the context.

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

You can use "a legitimate justification" when you want to provide a reason that is valid and acceptable. For instance: "The company provided a legitimate justification for the layoffs, citing economic downturn".

What's the difference between "a legitimate justification" and "a valid excuse"?

"A legitimate justification" implies a well-reasoned and ethically sound explanation, whereas "a valid excuse" often suggests a reason used to defend a mistake or fault. Justifications are generally more formal and reasoned.

Is "a legitimate justification" formal or informal?

"A legitimate justification" is generally considered a formal phrase suitable for professional, academic, or news contexts. For informal settings, you might choose a simpler phrasing, such as "a good reason".