a plausible justification

USAGE SUMMARY

'a plausible justification' is a perfectly correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it whenever you need to refer to a credible explanation or excuse. For example, "He gave a plausible justification for why he was late, so the teacher decided to let him off the hook this time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

If it does not do so, we will have a plausible justification for war.

The New York Times

People don't generally engage in moral reasoning, Haidt argues, but moral rationalization: they begin with the conclusion, coughed up by an unconscious emotion, and then work backward to a plausible justification.

The New York Times

Your mind spins to find a plausible justification for this basketball interruption, but neither the grieving nor the young would understand that, in the end, an inanimate object had called you out.

The New York Times

When seen from a population-based perspective that counts the number of lives saved, paternalism becomes a plausible justification for interventions that do not pose a truly significant burden on individual liberty, but go a long way towards safeguarding the health and well-being of the populace.

Public Health

"The rights and wrongs of Hiroshima are debatable," Telford Taylor, the chief prosecutor at the Nuremberg trials, once observed, "but I have never heard a plausible justification of Nagasaki" -- which he labeled a war crime.

Huffington Post

Thus the observed differential response of DosT and DevS kinases to O2 provides a plausible justification for the involvement of two sensors with distinct properties during M. tb adaptation to progressive hypoxia (Fig. 8).

Plosone

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

In the Iowa heartland, for instance, FBI surveillance, trash searches, terrorism database paperwork, and "statistical accomplishments" regarding a few student protesters in Iowa City before the 2008 Republican National Convention fill hundreds of file pages without providing any plausible justification for the operation.

Huffington Post

He proposes a neurologically plausible justification for Halliday's original insight of choice in conceptualizing language structure in terms of paradigm.

Functional Linguistics

We, however, must blend this internal Daoist history with external information about these groups and their thought to get a plausible explanatory justification for the classic Zhuangzi position.

SEP

For, as we have construed it, the DRR allows that religious citizens may support coercive laws for religious reasons (so long as they have and are prepared to provide a plausible secular justification for these laws).

SEP

In fact we were able to detect and replicate two gene-breastfeeding interactions with a plausible biological justification.

Plosone

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a plausible justification", ensure that the justification aligns logically with the context and is supported by evidence, even if not definitively proven. This strengthens its credibility and makes it more persuasive.

Common error

Avoid presenting "a plausible justification" as a definitive truth. Acknowledge that it is a credible explanation, but other possibilities may exist. Using hedging language can prevent misinterpretation and maintain objectivity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a plausible justification" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or preposition. It refers to a reason or explanation that appears believable or likely, even if not definitively proven. Ludwig provides examples demonstrating its role in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Science

42%

Encyclopedias

16%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a plausible justification" is a noun phrase used to describe an explanation or reason that appears believable and likely, even if not definitively proven. Ludwig AI analysis confirms that it’s grammatically correct and appropriate for diverse contexts ranging from news and media to scientific discussions and encyclopedic entries. While not overly common, with usage at “Uncommon” frequency, the phrase effectively communicates credibility and rationality in professional communication. When writing, remember to align the justification logically with the context, and avoid presenting it as an absolute truth. Instead, use hedging language for precision. Consider alternative phrases like "a credible rationale" or "a convincing explanation" to vary your language and enhance clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a credible rationale

Emphasizes the believability and soundness of the underlying reason.

a convincing explanation

Focuses on the ability of the explanation to persuade or assure.

a tenable rationale

Highlights the defensibility and sustainability of the reasoning.

a reasonable excuse

Suggests an attempt to mitigate blame or responsibility with a believable explanation.

a valid defense

Implies a formal or structured argument in support of an action or belief.

a well-founded argument

Highlights a support argument based on solid reasoning and evidence.

a defensible justification

Highlights the capability of a reasoning to be defended and explained with confidence.

a logical basis

Emphasizes the adherence to principles of logic and rational thought.

an acceptable rationale

Suggests the reasoning aligns with prevailing standards and is therefore tolerable.

a sound explanation

Emphasizes the reliability and solid basis of the reasoning.

FAQs

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

Use "a plausible justification" when you want to introduce an explanation that seems reasonable and believable, even if it isn't definitively proven. For instance, "The suspect offered "a plausible justification" for his absence from the crime scene."

What are some alternatives to saying "a plausible justification"?

You can use alternatives like "a credible rationale", "a convincing explanation", or "a reasonable excuse" depending on the specific context.

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

"A plausible justification" suggests that the explanation is believable and likely, while "a valid justification" implies that the explanation is sound, logical, and officially recognized as legitimate. Validity indicates a higher standard of proof and acceptance.

Is it better to offer "a plausible justification" or "the real reason"?

While honesty is generally the best policy, "a plausible justification" might be offered when the real reason is sensitive or could cause harm. However, it's crucial to weigh the ethical implications and potential consequences of not being fully transparent.