be justified

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be justified" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing whether an action, belief, or decision is reasonable or warranted. Example: "His actions can be justified by the circumstances he faced."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"That could be justified.

The New York Times

"It cannot be justified".

The New York Times - Science

Beliefs cannot be justified.

Encyclopedia Britannica

That wouldn't be justified.

Independent

Can violence be justified?

Princeton University

Can murder ever be justified?

Independent

Such fears may be justified.

The New York Times

Fears tend to be justified.

The New York Times - Books

Can abortion ever be justified?

The New York Times

This optimism may be justified.

The Economist

Can torture be justified?

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "be justified", ensure that the context clearly explains why the action or belief is considered reasonable or acceptable. Providing supporting evidence or reasoning strengthens your argument.

Common error

Avoid using "be justified" as a blanket statement without providing any supporting reasons or evidence. This can weaken your argument and leave the reader unconvinced. Always explain why something is justified.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be justified" primarily functions as a passive verb phrase. It is used to express that an action, belief, or decision is considered to have a valid reason or is deemed acceptable. According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

28%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

8%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "be justified" is a versatile and commonly used passive verb phrase that expresses the idea of having a valid reason or being deemed acceptable. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and frequently appears in various contexts, particularly in news, scientific, and academic writing. While "be justified" is widely accepted, it's important to provide sufficient context and supporting evidence to strengthen your argument. Alternatives such as "be warranted" or "be defensible" can also be used depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be warranted

Focuses more on the idea of a situation calling for a particular action or response.

be defensible

Emphasizes the ability to argue in favor of something, showing it to be correct or acceptable.

be excusable

Suggests that an action, while perhaps not ideal, can be understood and forgiven.

be reasonable

Highlights the logical and sensible nature of an action or belief.

be legitimate

Focuses on the lawfulness or ethical correctness of something.

be vindicated

Implies that previous doubts or accusations have been proven wrong.

be permissible

Emphasizes that something is allowed or not forbidden.

have grounds for

Indicates the existence of a basis or reason for a particular action or belief.

have a valid reason

Emphasizes that there is a sound and acceptable cause for something.

be supported by evidence

Highlights that a claim or belief is backed up by factual information.

FAQs

How can I use "be justified" in a sentence?

Use "be justified" to indicate that an action, decision, or belief has a valid reason or is considered reasonable. For example, "His actions can "be justified" given the circumstances."

What are some alternatives to "be justified"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "be warranted", "be defensible", or "be excusable" to convey a similar meaning.

When is it appropriate to use "be justified"?

It is appropriate to use "be justified" when you want to explain or argue that a particular action, decision, or belief is reasonable or acceptable based on certain reasons or evidence.

What's the difference between "be justified" and "be excusable"?

"Be justified" implies that there is a valid reason or argument for something, making it right or acceptable. "Be excusable" suggests that something can be understood and forgiven, even if it is not ideal.