an adequate reason

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an adequate reason" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the sufficiency or appropriateness of a justification for a particular action or decision. Example: "In order to proceed with the request, you must provide an adequate reason for your absence."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

Further failure to provide the requested information is an adequate reason to deny the claim.

Cornell University

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

It would of course entail some inconvenience, but inconvenience alone has never been thought to be an adequate reason for abrogating the warrant requirement.

Cornell University

There is scientific validity that the drug Lasix prevents pulmonary hemorrhage, yes, but that is not an adequate reason to advocate its raceday use.

The New York Times

The actual existence of the latter is explained by the principle of sufficient reason, which asserts that there is an adequate reason to account for the existence and nature of everything that could conceivably not exist.

Britannica

The guidelines, issued to teachers in 2010, allow them to conduct a strip-search if there is an adequate reason to do so, but also say that the age and sex of the student must be considered.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

38 human-written examples

Bachelard, French physicist and philosopher-historian of science, also believed that only by studying history of science can we gain an adequate understanding of human reason.

SEP

Under this criterion, the Commission's laudable concern over the equity and efficiency of appellant's rates does not provide a constitutionally adequate reason for restricting protected speech.

Cornell University

Don't sacrifice a pawn without a clear and adequate reason.

WikiHow

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

If the defendant may not be held for a tort at common law, we find no adequate reason for a holding that it may be held under the statute.

Harvard University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "an adequate reason", ensure that the reason provided directly addresses the situation and is clear to the audience. Avoid vague or ambiguous justifications.

Common error

Avoid using overly general reasons when a specific explanation is needed. Saying something like "it was necessary" without further detail is unlikely to be considered "an adequate reason".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an adequate reason" functions as a noun phrase, acting as the object of a verb or preposition to denote a justification or explanation that meets a certain standard of acceptability. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct. Examples from Ludwig showcase its use in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Academia

21%

Science

21%

Less common in

Wiki

13%

Encyclopedias

4%

Formal & Business

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an adequate reason" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase that serves to denote a justification or explanation that meets a certain level of acceptability. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and versatility across various contexts, including academic, news, and general writing. When employing this phrase, it's important to provide specific and clear reasons to avoid vagueness. While "an adequate reason" is often interchangeable with phrases like "a sufficient justification", the subtle nuances in meaning can be important to consider for precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a sufficient justification

Emphasizes the acceptability of the reason.

a valid rationale

Highlights the logical soundness of the reason.

a compelling motive

Suggests a strong and persuasive reason.

a good enough cause

Indicates the reason meets the minimum requirement.

a satisfactory explanation

Focuses on providing a reason that clarifies or justifies.

a legitimate ground

Indicates the reason is lawful or permissible.

a justifiable basis

Focuses on the reason providing a foundation for something.

a reasonable pretext

Suggests a reason that appears valid but may conceal the true motive.

a plausible excuse

Emphasizes the believability of the reason.

a colorable argument

Indicates a reason that has the appearance of being valid.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "an adequate reason"?

You can use alternatives like "a sufficient justification", "a valid rationale", or "a compelling motive" depending on the context.

How do I use "an adequate reason" in a sentence?

You can use it to explain why something was done: "The manager determined there was not "an adequate reason" to approve the expense."

What distinguishes "an adequate reason" from "a good reason"?

"An adequate reason" implies that the reason meets a minimum requirement of acceptability, while "a good reason" suggests it is particularly strong or persuasive.

Is there a difference between "an adequate reason" and "a sufficient reason"?

The terms are often interchangeable, but "a sufficient reason" may emphasize that the reason is enough to justify the action, whereas "an adequate reason" simply meets a basic requirement.