a solid rationale

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a solid rationale" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a well-founded reason or justification for a decision, action, or belief. Example: "The committee approved the proposal because it was backed by a solid rationale that addressed all potential concerns."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

26 human-written examples

Ms. Weiss said that such outlier scores were investigated to ensure that reviewers who made them had a solid rationale, based on sincere disagreement about a proposal's merit, rather than on any misunderstanding, which satisfied Mr. Flanagan, he said.

The New York Times

"For a team to step into that quagmire without a solid rationale would not be prudent," said Allen Adamson, managing director in the New York office of Landor Associates, a naming consultant.

The New York Times

(Ken believes in the third-year theory but has a solid rationale for it: There won't be much government meddling then).

Forbes

In a rare show of bipartisanship, Democrats and Republicans joined together to make the case that, in the absence of a solid rationale for the changes, the current alignment should be maintained.

Science Magazine

For instance, the latter study included accident rates as one of their potential location selection criteria, but did not establish a solid rationale as to why such a criterion should be given a priority when choosing a new location.

Journal of Modern Transportation

Overall these results could be helpful to identify the most relevant inflammatory pathways present in CRC tumors and to build a solid rationale for future therapeutic interventions based on anti‐inflammatory strategies.

Methods in Enzymology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 human-written examples

Overall, there is a strong rationale and solid scientific basis for the structure-based design of potent CRL1 inhibitors given that these enzymes are structurally well characterized.

Biochemical Journal

The approval of bortezomib for the treatment of multiple myeloma and the ongoing clinical trials with the new, potent proteasomal inhibitor AP15 recently identified in a cell-based screen, provide solid rationale for targeting proteasomes for effective anti-cancer treatment.

Cell Death and Disease

There was a solid business rationale for this.

The Guardian - Books

Our increasing knowledge of this natural endocannabinoid system now gives a solid scientific rationale for why cannabis has so many positive medicinal effects.

The Guardian - Opinion

The environmental agency again and again questions the legality of many department proposals, saying they lack "a solid legal rationale" and "are hard to justify from a legal perspective".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When presenting "a solid rationale", ensure it's supported by evidence and clear logic. Avoid ambiguity to strengthen your argument.

Common error

Avoid presenting a flimsy reason as "a solid rationale". Ensure the justification genuinely holds weight and withstands scrutiny. A weak rationale damages credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a solid rationale" functions as a noun phrase, where the adjective "solid" modifies the noun "rationale", indicating a strong and reliable basis for something. Ludwig provides examples where it's used to justify decisions or actions, highlighting its role in argumentation.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

46%

News & Media

39%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a solid rationale" is a frequently used phrase to denote a strong, reliable, and well-supported reason or justification. According to Ludwig, it's grammatically correct and serves to provide a convincing basis for decisions or actions. It is especially common in scientific, news, and formal business contexts. Alternatives include phrases like "a sound justification" or "a well-founded reason". When using "a solid rationale", ensure your reasoning is clear, logical, and backed by evidence to maintain credibility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a sound justification

Emphasizes the validity and defensibility of the reason.

a well-founded reason

Highlights that the reason is based on strong evidence or principles.

a compelling argument

Focuses on the persuasiveness and convincing nature of the reasoning.

a convincing explanation

Highlights the clarity and believability of the rationale.

a valid justification

Stresses the legitimacy and acceptability of the given reason.

a defensible explanation

Highlights the ability to support and protect the rationale against criticism.

a good reason

A simpler alternative, suitable for less formal situations.

a logical basis

Focuses on the coherence and reasoning behind the justification.

a reasoned justification

Emphasizes the thought process behind the reason provided.

a supported argument

Highlights the evidence and backing that supports the rationale.

FAQs

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

Use "a solid rationale" to introduce or emphasize a well-supported reason for a decision or action. For example, "The project was approved because it had "a solid rationale" based on market analysis".

What can I say instead of "a solid rationale"?

You can use alternatives like "a sound justification", "a well-founded reason", or "a compelling argument" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "solid rationale" or "strong rationale"?

While both "solid rationale" and "strong rationale" are acceptable, "solid rationale" implies a more dependable and well-constructed reasoning, whereas "strong rationale" emphasizes the impact and persuasiveness of the rationale.

What makes "a solid rationale" effective?

An effective ""a solid rationale"" is clear, logically sound, and supported by evidence. It addresses potential counterarguments and demonstrates a thorough understanding of the subject.