a legitimate reason for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a legitimate reason for" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing justifications or explanations for a particular action or decision. Example: "The committee needs to provide a legitimate reason for the changes in the policy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Furthermore, it permits explicit restrictions on what counts as a legitimate reason for preference, or in other words, what properties legitimately feature in an outcome description; such restrictions may help to clarify the normative commitments of EU theory.

SEP

There's a legitimate reason for this particular change, however.

The New York Times

"We need to say," Mr. Blunkett said, "there is a legitimate reason for you to work.

The New York Times

He gained "a legitimate reason for being peculiar," he later wrote, adding, "I became an immigrant".

The New York Times - Arts

Quick says he couldn't stop unless there wasn't a legitimate reason for dropping the investigation.

The Guardian

His bland outfits may seem dull, but Zuckerberg has a legitimate reason for donning the same T-shirt every day.

Independent

And that is not a legitimate reason for the police following me or anybody else making notes on me".

The Guardian

And if he were a Muslim, it would not be a legitimate reason for attacking his candidacy.

The New York Times

You have a contest only when some party believes that they've got a legitimate reason for it.

The New York Times

I'm happy, because there's a legitimate reason for people to take the "don't text" plea seriously; the zero-tolerance fans are happy, because, well, there's zero tolerance.

The New York Times

Commentators have been exercising their ingenuity on the primitive legends for centuries, and now Aronofsky joins them and finds a legitimate reason for God to kill everybody.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Using "a legitimate reason for" often implies a situation where actions or decisions are being questioned or need justification. Deploy it purposefully to defend positions.

Common error

Avoid using "a legitimate reason for" as a filler phrase without providing substantive details. Clearly specify the reason and its relevance to maintain clarity and avoid weakening your argument.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a legitimate reason for" functions as a noun phrase that introduces an explanation or justification. It serves to provide a valid or acceptable basis for a particular action, decision, or situation, as supported by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Science

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a legitimate reason for" is a versatile phrase used to introduce valid justifications or explanations. According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and very common. It appears frequently in News & Media, Science and Wiki contexts. When deploying the expression, it's important to ensure that the reason provided is clearly articulated and supported by logical reasoning, but never used as filler. Related alternatives includes "a valid justification for" or "a sound explanation for".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a valid justification for

Focuses on the formal validity of the reason.

a sound explanation for

Emphasizes the clarity and coherence of the reason.

a good cause for

Highlights the moral or ethical basis of the reason.

a justifiable basis for

Stresses the defensibility and rationality of the reason.

a reasonable ground for

Indicates that the reason is sensible and logical.

a compelling rationale for

Emphasizes the persuasive power of the reason.

a sufficient justification for

Highlights that the reason is adequate and convincing.

a valid rationale for

Focuses on the logical validity of the justification.

an acceptable explanation for

Emphasizes the acceptance or approval of the reason.

an understandable motive for

Highlights the comprehensibility of the underlying motivation.

FAQs

How can I use "a legitimate reason for" in a sentence?

You can use "a legitimate reason for" to introduce a justification or explanation for an action or decision. For example, "There is "a legitimate reason for" the delay in the project."

What are some alternatives to "a legitimate reason for"?

Alternatives include "a valid justification for", "a sound explanation for", or "a good cause for", depending on the specific context.

Is it always necessary to provide "a legitimate reason for" something?

While not always mandatory, providing "a legitimate reason for" increases transparency and builds trust, especially when explaining decisions that affect others.

What makes a reason "a legitimate reason for" something?

A reason is considered "a legitimate reason for" when it is based on valid facts, logical reasoning, or established principles, and is relevant to the situation at hand.