a plausible rationale

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a plausible rationale" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing a reasonable explanation or justification for a particular action, decision, or belief. Example: "The committee provided a plausible rationale for their decision to increase funding for the project, citing its potential benefits to the community."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

26 human-written examples

Each of these offices certainly has a plausible rationale.

The New York Times

That was a problem, because for a majority of the Justices a simple dislike of gay sex was no longer a plausible rationale.

The New Yorker

And it may even be defended as appropriate -- auto insurers and car rental companies have a plausible rationale for treating young people differently, for instance.

The New York Times

Instead, they should confine themselves to examining the text of the order to determine if it was "facially legitimate" — if it was written in the right form, properly cited laws, and offered a plausible rationale, such as fighting terrorism.

The New Yorker

The other, more cynical way to view a Supreme Court argument is as an act of manipulation — to provide the justices with a plausible rationale for reaching a decision they're already predisposed to make.

The New Yorker

Although this sounds like a plausible rationale, care has to be taken with this assumption because algal distribution depends on a plethora of different parameters.

Environmental Sciences Europe

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 human-written examples

"They haven't been able to come up with any plausible rationale for holding him 18 months without an indictment," said Mr. Cohen, who has long experience in China and has advised several other Chinese-born American citizens and green-card holders who were arrested here.

The New York Times

However, the issue of cost and state deficits was successfully leveraged to provide a superficially plausible rationale for the transition to workfare regimes.

The Guardian - Opinion

Such assumptions should be supported by a biologically plausible rationale before specific retinal vascular features are considered as surrogate markers of cerebrovascular damage (International Conference on Harmonisation, 1998).

Brain

If so, common neurovascular network architecture could contribute to a biologically plausible rationale for inferring unseen cerebrovascular pathogenesis from the visible retina.

Brain

This assumption provides a physically plausible rationale for the primordial enrichment in oligonucleotide-like compounds and also sheds new light on the earliest steps of evolution.

BMC Evolutionary Biology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a plausible rationale" when presenting an explanation that might not be immediately obvious but holds up under scrutiny.

Common error

Avoid presenting "a plausible rationale" as a definitive explanation when it is only one of several possibilities or when evidence is limited. Use qualifiers to indicate the level of certainty.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a plausible rationale" functions as a noun phrase that provides justification or reasonable explanation. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is typically used to introduce an idea that is believable and makes logical sense within a given context.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

52%

News & Media

29%

Formal & Business

19%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a plausible rationale" serves as a noun phrase used to introduce a believable and logically sound justification or explanation. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used. It is most frequently encountered in scientific and news media contexts, indicating its formal nature and need for accuracy. When using this phrase, it's important to ensure the rationale is credible and supported by evidence, while avoiding overstatement. Consider alternatives like "a credible justification" or "a believable explanation" to add variety to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a credible justification

Focuses on the trustworthiness and validity of the justification.

a believable explanation

Highlights the ease with which the explanation can be accepted as true.

a tenable reason

Emphasizes the defensibility and sustainability of the reason.

a sound basis

Suggests a firm and reliable foundation for a decision or action.

a convincing argument

Highlights the persuasive power of the reasoning provided.

a valid explanation

Stresses the legitimacy and correctness of the explanation.

a defensible justification

Focuses on how easily the justification can be defended against criticism.

a reasonable ground

Highlights the sensibility and rationality of the basis.

a logical basis

Emphasizes the use of logic in the formation of the basis.

a well-founded reason

Highlights the fact that the reason is properly and thoroughly based on evidence or good reasons.

FAQs

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

Use "a plausible rationale" to introduce a credible explanation or justification for something. For instance, "The study offers a plausible rationale for the observed increase in the species' population."

What's a good alternative to "a plausible rationale"?

Alternatives include "a credible justification", "a believable explanation", or "a tenable reason", depending on the specific context.

When is it appropriate to use "a plausible rationale" in writing?

It is appropriate to use "a plausible rationale" when you want to present a reason or explanation that is believable and makes sense, even if it is not definitively proven.

What distinguishes "a plausible rationale" from "a possible rationale"?

"A plausible rationale" suggests a reason that is believable and likely, while "a possible rationale" simply indicates that something is a potential explanation, without implying credibility.