a serious justification

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a serious justification" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the need for a valid or substantial reason for an action or decision. Example: "The committee required a serious justification for the proposed changes to the policy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

The court then went on to look at the case from a non-discrimination angle in which it reiterated that differences made by the state based on sexual orientation required a serious justification.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Helping construct the International Space Station has been no serious justification for the shuttle programme.

The Guardian

It is strange, but the notion of cancer as a consequence of imperfection of the organism, not having in fact serious justifications, has become something self-evident.

Clinical Epigenetics

Health isn't one of the serious justifications for this policy though.

The Guardian

In "those tweets" in the early hours of March 4, the sitting president of the United States lied, accusing his predecessor of a serious crime with no justification or evidence for the accusation.

Huffington Post

The contention is a serious one, and, in its justification, it is urged that the power of Congress to interfere with the freedom of speech and of the press must be judged by an exercise of reason on the circumstances.

Cornell University

"The committee stands by the conclusions of its 2018 report". The chairperson of the Ethics Board, Michael Beloff QC, considered there to be justification to investigate a "serious" infringement of the IAAF's code of ethics.

BBC

The World Health Organization in May 2012 said, "Services that purport to 'cure' people with non-heterosexual sexual orientation lack medical justification and represent a serious threat to the health and well-being of affected people".

Huffington Post

What is proposed is a serious invasion of personal liberty without reasonable justification.

The New York Times

A serious infringement should require a compelling interest as justification.

HuffPost

Another year goes by where Arsenal won't make a serious mark in the Champions League; despite their qualification being justification for Wenger keeping his job year on year.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a serious justification" when you want to emphasize the importance and weight of the reason behind a decision or action. Ensure that the justification is well-supported with evidence or logical reasoning.

Common error

While "a serious justification" is appropriate for formal writing, it may sound overly formal or pretentious in casual conversations. Consider using simpler alternatives like "good reason" or "valid excuse" in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a serious justification" functions as a noun phrase that typically serves as the object of a verb or preposition. It denotes a weighty or substantial reason that is offered to defend, explain, or excuse an action or decision. As per Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

32%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a serious justification" is a noun phrase that indicates a weighty or substantial reason offered to defend an action or decision. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and usable in written English. It's most frequently found in news and media, scientific, and academic contexts, suggesting a neutral to formal register. When choosing related phrases, consider the specific nuance you want to convey, such as emphasizing persuasiveness ("a compelling rationale") or validity ("a valid explanation"). While widely used, be mindful of its formality and opt for simpler alternatives in casual settings. Always ensure any justification is well-supported with evidence or logical reasoning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a compelling rationale

Emphasizes the convincing and persuasive nature of the reason.

a valid explanation

Focuses on the legitimacy and correctness of the reason.

a substantial basis

Highlights the solid and concrete foundation of the reason.

a legitimate reason

Stresses the lawfulness and acceptability of the reason.

a weighty argument

Indicates the significance and impact of the reason.

a sound justification

Implies the reason is well-reasoned and logical.

a convincing account

Highlights the persuasive ability of the provided explanation.

a credible defense

Focuses on the believability and trustworthiness of the reason.

a plausible justification

Suggests the reason is believable and likely to be true.

an important rationale

Emphasizes the importance of the underlying reason

FAQs

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

You can use "a serious justification" when explaining why an action was necessary or appropriate. For example: "The company needed "a serious justification" for laying off employees.".

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

You can use alternatives like "a compelling rationale", "a valid explanation", or "a substantial basis" depending on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "a serious justification" in casual conversation?

While grammatically correct, "a serious justification" is generally more suitable for formal writing or discussions. In casual conversation, simpler phrases like "a good reason" or "a valid excuse" may be more appropriate.

What distinguishes "a serious justification" from "a simple reason"?

"A serious justification" implies a more significant and well-supported reason, often requiring substantial evidence or logical reasoning. "A simple reason", on the other hand, can be a less complex or less critical explanation.