a valid justification for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a valid justification for" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing reasons or explanations that support a particular action, decision, or belief. Example: "The committee found that there was a valid justification for the proposed changes to the policy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

That's not a valid justification for doing anything.

The New York Times - Magazine

There is no question that I have a valid justification for my possession of AndroGel as defined by the Wada code.

The Guardian - Sport

They explain that the United States had a valid justification for attacking Mexico — among other things, they say, there was a matter of unpaid debts — and that it also had a right to whatever territory it could lay claim to as a result, which, in that case, included all or part of what would become California, Utah, Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, and Wyoming.

The New Yorker

We are at a turning point in history, where there is no longer a valid justification for making things more deadly.

TechCrunch

The convergence view appears to depend on the assumption that justifications and reasons can be relative to particular persons, that is, what constitutes a valid justification for Albert may not succeed as a justification for Betty, and vice versa.

SEP

"Disagreement with the comments, questions, and votes of a duly appointed member of the BOC is not a valid justification for the Board to refuse to reappoint that member".

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

"It is a source of abuse and there is no valid justification for maintaining this system".

The Guardian

There is no more valid justification for simple entertainment than catharsis, but neither is there a better account as to why the more complex arts are the more advanced means for completing the cathartic effort with high-minded ideals.

Huffington Post

"I see no valid justification for cloning pets.

The Guardian

Justice John Paul Stevens, joined by Justices Stephen G. Breyer, Ruth Bader Ginsburg and David H. Souter, dissented, saying that both "reducing the importance of wealth as a criterion for public office and countering the perception that seats in the United States Congress are available for purchase by the wealthiest bidder" offered valid justifications for the amendment.

The New York Times

The above are no longer "valid" justifications for sexual assault on college campuses.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a valid justification for", ensure that the justification is not only logical but also ethically sound and aligns with the intended audience's values. State the justification clearly and provide supporting evidence or reasoning to strengthen its validity.

Common error

Avoid presenting opinions or personal feelings as "a valid justification for" an action or decision without objective support. Back up your claims with evidence-based reasoning to enhance credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a valid justification for" functions as a noun phrase, introducing and emphasizing that a reason is both sound and legitimate. It sets the stage for presenting evidence or arguments to support a particular action or decision, as seen in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a valid justification for" is a useful phrase for introducing a reason that is both sound and legitimate. According to Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and serves to provide a rationale for actions, decisions, or beliefs. While it's not the most frequent phrase, it appears across various contexts, including news, science, and business. When using this phrase, ensure that the justification is supported by evidence and aligns with ethical standards. Alternatives like "a legitimate reason for" or "a sound rationale for" can also be considered for variety.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a legitimate reason for

Replaces "justification" with "reason", emphasizing the legitimacy of the rationale.

a sound rationale for

Substitutes "justification" with "rationale", highlighting the logical and coherent basis.

a good basis for

Uses "basis" instead of "justification", focusing on the foundational aspect of the reason.

a reasonable ground for

Emphasizes the reasonableness of the foundation, providing an alternative term that has the same connotation.

a defensible argument for

Highlights the ability to defend the reason, suggesting a more assertive justification.

an acceptable explanation for

Replaces "justification" with "explanation", focusing on clarity and acceptance of the reason.

a convincing case for

Emphasizes the persuasiveness of the reason, implying a stronger and more compelling justification.

a sufficient warrant for

Uses "warrant" instead of "justification", suggesting authorization or permission.

a plausible pretext for

Suggests a more superficial or potentially questionable reason, using "pretext" instead of "justification".

a compelling motive for

Focuses on the motivational aspect, indicating a powerful reason behind an action.

FAQs

How can I use "a valid justification for" in a sentence?

Use "a valid justification for" to introduce a reason or explanation that supports a particular action, decision, or belief. For example, "There is "a valid justification for" increasing the budget due to rising costs."

What are some alternatives to saying "a valid justification for"?

You can use alternatives such as "a legitimate reason for", "a sound rationale for", or "a good basis for" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "a valid justification for" or "a justifiable reason for"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct, but "a valid justification for" emphasizes the acceptability and soundness of the reason, while "a justifiable reason for" stresses the defensibility or permissibility of the reason.

What's the difference between "a valid justification for" and "a valid reason for"?

"Justification" implies a more formal or detailed explanation to defend an action, while "a valid reason for" simply points to a legitimate cause or motive. Justifications often require more supporting evidence.