acceptable reason

USAGE SUMMARY

"acceptable reason" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to state that a certain justification for doing something is valid or acceptable. For example: "The teacher accepted the illness as an acceptable reason for missing school."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A secondary, but acceptable, reason to join a meeting is for relationship-building purposes.

Harvard Business Review

Does a judicial opinion that the charge is not "plausible" provide a legally acceptable reason for dismissing the complaint?

Cornell University

Looting soon became more than a mere byproduct of war – it became an acceptable reason to start one.

The Guardian - Arts

Make sure you allow me to recognize an individual problem in depth and maybe I'm able to provide acceptable reason pertaining to having herbal tea!

Harvard University

The Indy said: "This is hardly an acceptable reason to go easy on punishing a murder: Litvinenko's death cannot be treated in isolation, but cannot be forgiven, either.

The Guardian

Reading in English, she criticized the Roman Catholic Church and its leaders, with Italian newspapers quoting her as saying there was "no acceptable reason for defending the church".

The New York Times

For swimwear usually costing around £59 available (we predict) for under £20, this is the sole acceptable reason to stop praying for a heatwave.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

In response, the media whipped itself into a frenzy, asking to what extent "because of God" is an acceptable reason for deciding school practices.

The Guardian

The answer, legal experts say, is that courts give wide latitude to government officials, who generally must simply specify some acceptable reason for their decisions.

The New York Times

Neither he nor his mother realized that while high school teachers would make accommodations, this would not be an acceptable reason for missing college exams.

The Washington Post

Finnish law states than an animal can be in a crate only for "transportation, illness or other temporary and acceptable reason".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "acceptable reason" to introduce the rationale or justification for a decision or action, making it clear that the reason has been deemed valid or permissible within a specific context.

Common error

Avoid using "acceptable reason" without specifying the criteria for acceptability. What might be considered acceptable in one context may not be in another. Be specific to avoid ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "acceptable reason" functions as a noun phrase that identifies a justification or explanation that meets certain criteria or standards, making it permissible or valid. It is often used to clarify why a particular action, behavior, or decision is considered valid in a given context, as demonstrated by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Academia

21%

Formal & Business

11%

Less common in

Science

17%

Wiki

9%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "acceptable reason" is a versatile phrase used to denote a valid or permissible justification across various contexts. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and commonly used. Its frequency is high, particularly in news, academic, and formal business environments. When employing this phrase, ensure clarity by specifying the criteria that make the reason 'acceptable'. Related alternatives include "valid justification" and "legitimate excuse", offering nuanced options for expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

valid justification

Focuses on the soundness and legitimacy of the reason.

legitimate excuse

Suggests a socially or legally permissible explanation.

permissible rationale

Highlights the logical basis for acceptance or allowance.

justifiable cause

Emphasizes that the reason is defensible and morally sound.

satisfactory explanation

Indicates the reason meets a required level of adequacy.

reasonable basis

Underlines the logical and rational foundation of the reason.

adequate ground

Implies the reason is sufficient and meets the necessary criteria.

defensible motive

Highlights the reason is capable of being upheld or vindicated.

allowable pretext

Suggests a reason that is permitted, often in a formal setting.

convincing argument

Indicates that the reason is persuasive and likely to be accepted.

FAQs

What are some alternatives to "acceptable reason"?

You can use alternatives such as "valid justification", "legitimate excuse", or "permissible rationale" depending on the specific context.

How can I use "acceptable reason" in a sentence?

You can use "acceptable reason" to explain why something is considered valid or permissible, such as, "The professor accepted the student's illness as an "acceptable reason" for missing the exam."

Is "acceptable reason" formal or informal?

"Acceptable reason" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, the specific alternative you choose may vary based on the formality of the situation. For instance, "valid justification" is more formal than "legitimate excuse".

What makes a reason "acceptable"?

Whether a reason is "acceptable" depends on the specific context, rules, and expectations. What might be an acceptable reason in one situation may not be in another. For example, finances can be a "acceptable reason" to RSVP "not attending" a wedding.