a reasonable rationale for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a reasonable rationale for" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the justification or reasoning behind a decision, action, or belief. Example: "The committee provided a reasonable rationale for their decision to implement the new policy, citing improved efficiency and employee satisfaction."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

If there is a reasonable rationale for failing to extend this critical tax exemption, let's have it.

Huffington Post

A reasonable rationale for the development of an effective intervention may be one based on current clinical expert opinion and addressing identified risk factors for the condition.

BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders

This result provides a reasonable rationale for the use of neurofeedback to mimic such patterns in novice artists to enhance their performance.

BioMed Research International

This increased biliary excretion of selenium caused by arsenic provides a reasonable rationale for the ability of arsenic to counteract the toxicity of selenium, although the chemical mechanism by which arsenic does this is not certain.

Environmental Health Perspectives

Lack of empirical data may be a reasonable rationale for this; but there is a large body of knowledge available in China, through different branches of science and history that may provide better rationales.

BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine

The fact that the RANK/RANKL/OPG system is of crucial importance for the development of periprosthetic osteolysis together with the finding that Dox inhibits RANKL-induced osteoclastogenesis by its inhibitory effect on MMP-9 enzyme activity [ 110] provides a reasonable rationale for a pharmaceutical advantage of tetracycline antibiotics against periprosthetic osteolysis.

BioMed Research International

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

"I appreciate the engineering needs," she said, adding that there was a "perfectly reasonable rationale" for removing many parts.

The New York Times - Science

The Administrative Procedure Act requires that agency actions have a reasonable rationale and not be "arbitrary and capricious".

Huffington Post

There is simply no precedent — or even reasonable rationale — for Iran working any plot, no matter where located, through a non-Muslim proxy such as Mexican drug gangs.

The New York Times

That's why they want to hire you, although they may tell themselves, "I like this candidate's experience in international shipping," or some other grown-up and reasonable rationale for hiring you.

Forbes

But all the administration needs to do is offer clear, reasonable rationales for its choices; it doesn't need to make the rule weaker to make it stand up in court.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a reasonable rationale for", ensure the rationale is clearly articulated and directly relevant to the topic at hand. Avoid vague or unsubstantiated claims.

Common error

Avoid presenting a subjective opinion as "a reasonable rationale for" something without providing supporting evidence or logical arguments. Ensure the rationale is perceived as reasonable by a broader audience, not just yourself.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a reasonable rationale for" functions as a noun phrase that introduces or highlights the justification or underlying reason for something. It indicates that there is a logical and acceptable explanation, as shown in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

17%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a reasonable rationale for" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase that serves to introduce a logical justification or explanation. As Ludwig AI points out, it is most frequently found in scientific and news contexts, indicating its use in presenting well-supported reasoning. While not extremely common, its presence across various authoritative sources underscores its utility in formal and professional communication. When employing this phrase, ensure the rationale is clearly articulated and objectively reasonable to avoid potential misinterpretations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a sound basis for

Replaces "rationale" with "basis", suggesting a foundation or groundwork.

a valid justification for

Substitutes "rationale" with "justification", implying a defense or support for an action.

a logical explanation for

Replaces "rationale" with "explanation", focusing on clarity and understanding.

a compelling reason for

Emphasizes the convincing nature of the reasoning.

a well-founded argument for

Suggests a carefully constructed case for something.

a good cause for

Uses "cause" instead of "rationale", implying a reason that motivates an action.

an acceptable motive for

Focuses on the underlying intention or drive behind an action.

a defensible pretext for

Implies a justification that can be defended, though perhaps with some difficulty.

a plausible ground for

Suggests a believable, though not necessarily certain, basis.

a tenable premise for

Highlights the underlying assumption or proposition on which something is based.

FAQs

How can I use "a reasonable rationale for" in a sentence?

Use "a reasonable rationale for" to introduce the justification or reasoning behind a decision, action, or belief. For example: "The study provides "a reasonable rationale for" the new treatment protocol."

What can I say instead of "a reasonable rationale for"?

You can use alternatives like "a sound basis for", "a valid justification for", or "a logical explanation for" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "a reasonable rationale for"?

It is appropriate to use "a reasonable rationale for" when you want to emphasize that the reason or justification is not only present but also logical, sensible, and acceptable.

Is there a difference between "a rationale for" and "a reasonable rationale for"?

Yes, "a rationale for" simply indicates that there is a reason or explanation, while "a reasonable rationale for" suggests that the reason is logical, justifiable, and likely to be accepted by others. The addition of "reasonable" strengthens the credibility of the rationale.