adequate reason for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "adequate reason for" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing justification or rationale for a particular action or decision. Example: "The committee found that there was an adequate reason for extending the deadline due to unforeseen circumstances."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

But it has failed to identify any constitutionally adequate reason for denying civil marriage to same-sex couples.

The New York Times

But Justice Marshall dismissed those arguments, saying that the state "has failed to identify any constitutionally adequate reason for denying civil marriage to same-sex couples".

The New York Times

Dicky Gonzalez's statistics do not sparkle and, in a vacuum, would be adequate reason for his return to the minor leagues.

The New York Times - Sports

I therefore neither plan nor invent; I add nothing and omit nothing... Being able to do something is never an adequate reason for doing it".

The Guardian - Arts

Our other assumption is that a new president deserves in normal circumstances to have his appointments approved and that standard differences in party philosophy are not adequate reason for blocking an appointment.

The New York Times

This alone would be an adequate reason for teachers and scientists to avoid using it.

Evolution: Education and Outreach

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

In staying Carmody's orders in a business contracts dispute, appeal court justice John Muir noted there was "a fairly arguable case" Carmody had denied natural justice and erred in law by failing to give adequate reasons for his decision.

The Guardian

there are in principle propositions which, if the person who makes a defeasible inference were to come to believe them, would or should lead her to reject the inference and no longer consider the beliefs on which the inference was based as adequate reasons for making the conclusion.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In this case, according to the American logician Donald Nute, there are in principle propositions which, if the person who makes a defeasible inference were to come to believe them, would or should lead her to reject the inference and no longer consider the beliefs on which the inference was based as adequate reasons for making the conclusion.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Although these studies include large cohorts of patients, most of them are retrospective and single-centered and do not provide adequate reasons for the improved survival.

Annals of Intensive Care

In its grounds for the legal application against the secretary of state, the council contends that Mr Pickles "failed to give any or any adequate reasons for his decision and/or acted irrationally and/or failed to take into account material considerations".

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "adequate reason for", ensure the reason is clearly articulated and directly relevant to the action or decision being justified. This avoids ambiguity and strengthens your argument.

Common error

Avoid using "adequate reason for" without providing specific details or evidence to support the reason. Simply stating that an adequate reason exists is insufficient; you must explain what that reason is.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "adequate reason for" functions as a justificatory phrase. It introduces or refers to a rationale that is considered sufficient or acceptable in a given context. As indicated by Ludwig AI, the phrase is deemed correct and frequently employed in various forms of written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Science

42%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "adequate reason for" is a phrase used to denote a sufficient justification or explanation for something. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. Its function is to provide a rationale, its purpose is justificatory, and its register is generally neutral to formal. It appears frequently in contexts such as news and media and scientific publications. Related phrases include "sufficient justification for" and "valid grounds for". A key writing tip is to ensure that the reason is clearly articulated and supported with evidence. Avoid vague claims. Overall, understanding the nuances of "adequate reason for" can help improve clarity and precision in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sufficient justification for

Replaces "adequate reason" with "sufficient justification", emphasizing the validity of the reason.

valid grounds for

Substitutes "reason" with "grounds", implying a solid foundation for an action or belief.

good cause for

Replaces "adequate" with "good" and "reason" with "cause", suggesting a morally or ethically sound basis.

legitimate basis for

Uses "legitimate basis" instead of "adequate reason", highlighting the lawfulness or acceptability of the reason.

satisfactory rationale for

Replaces "adequate" with "satisfactory" and "reason" with "rationale", focusing on the explanation or reasoning behind something.

ample justification for

Replaces "adequate" with "ample", which means fully sufficient, emphasizing the fullness of justification.

tenable explanation for

Implies a reasonable explanation.

sound foundation for

Focuses on the firmness and reliability of the reason or justification.

defensible rationale for

Emphasizes the ability to argue in favor of the reason.

convincing argument for

Highlights the persuasive power of the reason being presented.

FAQs

How can I use "adequate reason for" in a sentence?

You can use "adequate reason for" to justify an action or decision. For example, "The committee found an "adequate reason for" the delay in project completion."

What are some alternatives to "adequate reason for"?

Some alternatives include "sufficient justification for", "valid grounds for", or "good cause for" depending on the context.

Is it better to use "adequate reason for" or "sufficient reason for"?

Both "adequate reason for" and "sufficient reason for" are grammatically correct and largely interchangeable. The choice often depends on stylistic preference, though "sufficient" may imply a slightly higher standard of justification.

What's the difference between "adequate reason for" and "excuse for"?

"Adequate reason for" implies a legitimate and justifiable cause, whereas "excuse for" often suggests a weak or inadequate attempt to justify something. An excuse is typically less convincing or acceptable than an adequate reason.