ask for justification

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ask for 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: "In our meeting, I will ask for justification regarding the budget cuts proposed by the management."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Journalist and Graduate Fog's founder, Tanya de Grunwald, however, emailed the zoo to complain and ask for justification regarding the unpaid position.

Independent

While potentially sensible, you have to wonder what's going to happen when such a bunch of consultants ask for justification for the existence of seven different research councils.

The Guardian

"The people who did it lost any right to ask for justification for it when they slaughtered 4,000 or 5,000 innocent people.

The New York Times

"The people who did it lost any right to ask for justification for it when they slaughtered four or five thousand innocent people, and to suggest that there is any justification for it only invites this happening in the future".

Forbes

If you find yourself tempted to ask for justification and explanation constantly, it might be time to jump back to the Feminism 101 blog.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Which distinctions these are is revealed by looking at whether we ask for justifications of the relevance of the distinction.

SEP

It includes several questions for the Energy Information Administration, the department's statistics office, which also measures the nation's carbon dioxide pollution, asking for justification of its numbers.

The New York Times

Al-Seddik al-Sur of the state prosecutor's office told reporters today that authorities have asked for "justification" as to why Mr Gaddafi was not transferred from Zintan as planned.

Independent

Al-Seddik al-Sur of the state prosecutor's office told reporters that authorities have asked for "justification" as to why Gaddafi was not transferred from Zintan as planned.

The Guardian

The Chief Executive Officer is asking for justification to purchase this unit.

Critical Care

"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

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "ask for justification", ensure the context clearly indicates what decision or action requires explanation. Be specific to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "ask for justification" in casual conversations. It can sound overly formal or aggressive. Opt for simpler phrases like "Why?" or "Can you explain that?" in informal contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ask for justification" functions as a request for a reasoned explanation or defense of an action, decision, or belief. It implies a need for clarity and validation. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically sound and serves to solicit a rationale.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "ask for justification" is a grammatically correct phrase used to request a reasoned explanation, often in formal contexts. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it effectively communicates the need for clarity and validation. While it is not a very common phrase, its presence in news, scientific, and wiki sources indicates its relevance across diverse domains. When using "ask for justification", ensure the context warrants a formal inquiry and avoid overuse in casual settings. Alternatives such as "request a rationale" or "demand an explanation" may be more suitable depending on the specific situation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

request a rationale

Emphasizes the formal request for an underlying reason or principle.

demand an explanation

Conveys a stronger sense of entitlement to a clarifying account.

seek validation

Focuses on seeking confirmation that something is well-founded or legitimate.

inquire about the basis

Specifically asks about the foundation or supporting evidence.

question the reasoning

Highlights the act of probing and challenging the line of thought.

probe the legitimacy

Investigates whether something aligns with accepted rules, standards, or principles.

call for substantiation

Demands factual support or evidence to confirm the validity of a claim.

press for details

Insists on receiving more specific information to illuminate reasoning.

expect accountability

Highlights the expectation that someone will provide answers and be responsible for their actions.

insist on grounds

Conveys insistence of the foundation upon which something is based.

FAQs

How can I use "ask for justification" in a sentence?

You can use "ask for justification" to inquire about the reasons behind a decision or action. For example: "The committee will "ask for justification" for the budget increase."

What are some alternatives to "ask for justification"?

Alternatives include "request an explanation", "seek validation", or "demand an explanation" depending on the context and level of formality.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "ask for justification"?

It's suitable in formal settings, such as business meetings, legal proceedings, or academic discussions, where a clear and reasoned explanation is required. Using it may be seen as too formal in a normal conversation.

Is there a difference between "ask for justification" and "ask for reasons"?

"Ask for reasons" is more general and can apply to any situation where an explanation is needed. "Ask for justification" implies a need to defend or validate a decision or action, suggesting a more formal and potentially critical inquiry. Although, "reasons" and "justification" can be interchanged.