a serious rationale

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a serious rationale" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the underlying reasoning or justification for a particular decision, action, or belief, especially in formal or academic contexts. Example: "The committee provided a serious rationale for their decision to implement the new policy, emphasizing its potential benefits for the organization."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

There used to be a serious rationale behind his clothes, which gave his man-tailored suits a sense of content.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

So the voter ID laws make exercise of important rights contingent upon showing a state ID without any serious rationale and, furthermore, impose unnecessary burden on a significant number of voters.

Huffington Post

"Don't bother trying to find a serious military rationale behind any of this, unless that rationale is wishful thinking," he said.

The New York Times

"Don't bother trying to find a serious military rationale behind any of this, unless that rationale is wishful thinking," Romney told the Veterans of Foreign Wars Convention in Reno, Nev., on July 24.

Huffington Post

Without a serious financial rationale for the purchase of the Internet telephone company at 10 times sales, Microsoft took another leap into what Cisco's Mr. Chambers used to call "market adjacencies".

The New York Times

There was no serious rationale behind the selection.

Vice

This is a serious problem, because the ultimate rationale of an organised cervical screening service is to offer standardised procedures of controlled and assured technical quality to a vast population.

BMC Health Services Research

The rationale for the low MCID is that delirium is a serious postoperative complication that is associated with increased mortality and the proposed intervention (low-dose ketamine) is safe, inexpensive and not likely to have adverse effects.

BMJ Open

The rationale for this was patient safety, i.e., in case of a serious adverse device effect, the implant can be removed and replaced with a larger human donor cornea graft by deep lamellar keratoplasty, the current conventional treatment.

Clinical and Translational Science

"As to the purported rationale behind the proposal, I noted that any sentence involving a juvenile was a serious matter and that the sentence review process permitted a speedy consideration where time was of the essence," he said.

The Guardian

Make a serious effort?

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a serious rationale", ensure that the context clearly establishes the weight and importance of the justification being presented. Avoid using it for trivial or minor reasons.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "a serious rationale" can sound overly formal in casual conversation. Opt for simpler alternatives like "a good reason" or "a strong motive" in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a serious rationale" functions as a noun phrase, where 'serious' modifies the noun 'rationale'. It describes the nature of the rationale, emphasizing its importance and validity. Ludwig AI supports the proper usage of the phrase with examples extracted from reliable sources.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a serious rationale" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase, though it appears relatively infrequently. Ludwig AI confirms its validity, highlighting its use in formal contexts such as news media, scientific publications, and business communications. When using the phrase, ensure that the context justifies its formality; in more casual settings, consider simpler alternatives like "a good reason". Remember that while this phrase is valid and understandable, overuse in informal situations may come across as stilted or unnatural.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a compelling justification

Replaces 'rationale' with 'justification' and 'serious' with 'compelling', emphasizing the strength of the reason.

a sound justification

Substitutes 'serious' with 'sound', highlighting the validity and reliability of the reason.

a valid reason

Replaces 'rationale' with the more common 'reason', while keeping 'valid' to maintain a similar level of formality.

a substantial basis

Uses 'basis' instead of 'rationale' and 'substantial' instead of 'serious', indicating a solid foundation for something.

a weighty explanation

Replaces 'rationale' with 'explanation' and 'serious' with 'weighty', suggesting the explanation carries significant importance.

a significant reason

Emphasizes the importance of the reason using 'significant' instead of 'serious'.

a credible argument

Uses 'argument' instead of 'rationale' and 'credible' instead of 'serious', focusing on the believability of the justification.

a convincing explanation

Replaces 'serious' with 'convincing', which focuses on the persuasive quality of the explanation.

a legitimate justification

Substituting 'serious' with 'legitimate' stresses the lawfulness and acceptability of the justification.

a genuine motive

Replaces 'rationale' with 'motive', suggesting an underlying cause or reason for action, and 'serious' with 'genuine'.

FAQs

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

You can use "a serious rationale" to introduce a strong and well-considered justification for a decision, action, or belief. For example: "The board presented "a serious rationale" for the budget cuts, citing declining revenues and increased operating costs."

What are some alternatives to saying "a serious rationale"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "a compelling justification", "a sound justification", or "a valid reason".

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

While grammatically correct, "a serious rationale" may sound overly formal in casual conversation. Simpler phrases like "a good reason" or "a strong motive" are generally more suitable for informal settings.

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

"A serious rationale" implies a more carefully considered and substantial justification than a simple "reason". It suggests that the rationale has been thoroughly evaluated and carries significant weight.