ask for a justification

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ask for a justification" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to request an explanation or reasoning behind a decision, action, or statement. Example: "During the meeting, I decided to ask for a justification regarding the budget cuts proposed by the management."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

For these, students may rightfully ask for a justification, or a proof, for why the result is true.

Large-scale Assessments in Education

They might ask for a justification of the claim that hard work is a desert base for financial reward.

SEP

Thus, they might ask for a justification of the claim that Jones deserves a $100 bonus for having worked extra hard over the holiday weekend.

SEP

In the case of my maximizing of the welfare of the blue-eyed, we do ask for a justification; we do not take "because they're blue-eyed" as an adequate defense of a reason to give to the blue-eyed.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Reviewer 2 has asked for a justification for our assumption that chondrocytes become necrotic only at the time of initial injury.

Biology Direct

Sometimes asking questions and asking for argumentation (e.g. for a certain treatment policy) was interpreted by others as a sign of something else then asking for a justification.

BMC Medical Ethics

As spokesman for the State Department in 1999, I was asked for a legal justification for the use of force.

The New York Times

To get a more detailed picture of how people feel about drones, the Huffington Post reached out to readers living in Utah, Iowa, Oregon and New Mexico -- four of the states represented by senators who sent Obama a letter asking for a legal justification of the drone strikes.

Huffington Post

"Bearing in mind it is a new use of terrorism legislation to detain someone in these circumstances... I'm certainly interested in knowing, so I will write to the police to ask for the justification of the use of terrorism legislation – they may have a perfectly reasonable explanation.

The Guardian

I will write to the police to ask for the justification of the use of terrorism legislation - they may have a perfectly reasonable explanation".

BBC

Mendez uses his position to ask for "more justification" for putting prisoners into solitary confinement.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "ask for a justification", ensure the context warrants a formal explanation or reasoning. This phrase is suitable when questioning decisions or actions that require a clear, logical basis.

Common error

Avoid using "ask for a justification" in casual conversations or situations where a simple explanation suffices. The phrase can sound overly formal or confrontational if used inappropriately.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ask for a justification" functions as a verb phrase used to request a detailed explanation or reasoning behind a decision, action, or statement. Ludwig AI confirms this usage.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

38%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "ask for a justification" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase in written English, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It's used to formally request a detailed explanation or reasoning behind a decision or action. While the phrase is applicable across various contexts, it's most frequently found in news, media, and scientific publications. When considering alternatives, options like "request an explanation" or "demand a rationale" may be suitable depending on the level of formality and emphasis desired. Remember to use "ask for a justification" judiciously, avoiding overuse in informal settings where simpler explanations suffice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

request an explanation

Focuses on seeking clarity and understanding, emphasizing the informational aspect of the request.

demand a rationale

Implies a stronger need for justification, often when there's a perceived lack of reason.

seek grounds for

Emphasizes the search for a valid foundation or basis for something.

inquire about the reasons

A general way of asking why something was done or decided.

look for the reasoning behind

Similar to 'inquire about the reasons' but with a stronger implication of wanting to understand the thought process.

probe the basis of

Suggests a more thorough and investigative approach to understanding the underlying reasons.

challenge the validity

Implies questioning the correctness or legitimacy of something, thus necessitating a justification.

question the premise

Directly challenges the underlying assumption or foundation of an argument or action.

seek an account of

Focuses on obtaining a detailed explanation or report of an action or decision.

desire substantiation

Highlights the need for evidence or proof to support a claim or action.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "ask for a justification" to sound less formal?

You can use phrases like "ask why", "ask for the reason", or simply "ask for an explanation" depending on the context.

In what situations is it appropriate to "ask for a justification"?

It's appropriate when decisions or actions require a formal explanation, such as in legal, academic, or professional settings. It's also suitable when questioning policies or procedures that seem unclear or unfair.

What's the difference between "ask for a justification" and "demand an explanation"?

"Ask for a justification" implies a request for reasoning, while "demand an explanation" suggests a stronger assertion and expectation of a response. The latter is often used when there is a perceived wrongdoing or failure to act appropriately.

Is "ask for a justification" the same as "request substantiation"?

While similar, "ask for a justification" is broader, encompassing reasoning and rationale. "request substantiation" specifically seeks evidence or proof to support a claim or action.