an acceptable rationale

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an acceptable rationale" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the justification or reasoning behind a decision, action, or belief that is deemed satisfactory or reasonable. Example: "The committee found that the proposal provided an acceptable rationale for the changes in policy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Formal & Business

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

In virtually every human society, "He hit me first" provides an acceptable rationale for doing that which is otherwise forbidden.

The New York Times

The main aim of job evaluation is to provide an acceptable rationale for determining the pay of existing hierarchies of jobs and for slotting in new ones.

International Encyclopedia of the Social & Behavioral Sciences

Jeff Flake, of Arizona, who is up for reëlection in 2018, said, of the Comey decision, "I've spent the last several hours trying to find an acceptable rationale for the timing of Comey's firing.

The New Yorker

I guarantee you there will be more shoes to drop". Senator Jeff Flake of Arizona tweeted that he has spent several hours trying to find an acceptable rationale for the timing of Comey's firing and could not do it.

The Guardian

If a candidate finds that director compensation is at or above the high end of the range for comparable companies, the candidate and his or her counsel should undertake further review to determine if there is an acceptable rationale for the divergence.

Harvard University

tweeted that he spent "several hours trying to find an acceptable rationale for the timing of Comey's firing".

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

"In theory, if a program did not have a clear or acceptable rationale (in the committee's view) for transplanting a disproportionate number of non-residents, that could have led to further review and action," UNOS spokesman Joel Newman explained in an email.

Vice

Security Council] representatives in order to win approval for a new resolution could supply the universally acceptable rationale".

Huffington Post

The war in Afghanistan may originally have had some sort of acceptable rationale, but it was a lost cause almost as soon as it began, when America failed to win the crucial struggle for hearts and minds, killing thousands of Afghan civilians in bombing raids, imprisoning others in vile conditions in prisons at Kandahar and Bagram (where some died), and sending others to Guantánamo.

Huffington Post

Studies powered to include subclinical events and surrogate pro-coagulant markers may have acceptable rationale and less logistical difficulties.

British Journal of Cancer

This method lacks an acceptable contemporary scientific rationale, so even if some people think that this method is useful, it cannot be introduced in an obstetrics department, unless several well carried out studies have shown, unequivocally, that the vast majority of unborn babies can be correctly classified by gender using a pendulum.

Chiropractic and Manual Therapies

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "an acceptable rationale" when you need to convey that a reason or justification meets a certain standard of adequacy or reasonableness, especially in contexts where scrutiny or debate is involved.

Common error

Avoid using "an acceptable rationale" in casual conversations or informal writing. Simpler phrases like "a good reason" or "a valid explanation" are often more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an acceptable rationale" functions as a noun phrase that provides justification or reasoning that meets a particular standard. As confirmed by Ludwig, it's used to explain why a decision, action, or belief is considered satisfactory or reasonable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

17%

Less common in

Academia

8%

Wiki

8%

Encyclopedias

8%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an acceptable rationale" is a phrase used to describe a justification or reason that meets a certain standard of adequacy and reasonableness. Ludwig confirms it's grammatically correct and usable in written English. While it's most commonly found in news and media contexts, it also appears in scientific, academic, and formal business writing, suggesting a neutral to formal register. When using this phrase, consider simpler alternatives like "a reasonable explanation" or "a valid justification" for informal contexts to maintain clarity and appropriateness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a reasonable explanation

Focuses on the clarity and logic of the explanation.

a valid justification

Emphasizes the legitimacy and soundness of the reason.

a satisfactory reason

Highlights that the reason is good enough or meets the required standard.

a tenable argument

Suggests the argument is defensible and can be maintained against opposition.

a defensible explanation

Highlights the ability to justify or vindicate the explanation.

a plausible justification

Focuses on the believability and credibility of the reason.

a sound basis

Emphasizes the solid and reliable foundation for the decision or action.

a credible reason

Highlights the trustworthiness and reliability of the stated cause.

a legitimate basis

Focuses on the lawfulness or permissibility of the foundation.

a good excuse

Suggests a reason that mitigates blame or justifies a fault.

FAQs

How can I use "an acceptable rationale" in a sentence?

You can use "an acceptable rationale" to justify a decision or action, as in "The committee found that the proposal provided "an acceptable rationale" for the changes in policy".

What are some alternatives to "an acceptable rationale"?

Alternatives include "a reasonable explanation", "a valid justification", or "a satisfactory reason", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to use "an acceptable rationale" or "a good reason"?

"An acceptable rationale" is more formal and suitable for professional or academic contexts, while "a good reason" is more appropriate for informal situations.

What does "an acceptable rationale" imply?

It implies that the provided justification or reason is not only valid but also meets a certain standard or threshold of acceptability, making it suitable for the situation.