be justified with

USAGE SUMMARY

"be justified with" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to mean that something is supported or explained with a good reason. For example, "The decision to close the school early was justified with the need to ensure student safety during the storm."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

43 human-written examples

Such a plan cannot be justified with claims of security needs or overcrowding".

The New York Times

That said, Dafoe has also found space on his CV for hokum that can't be justified with such aesthetic high-mindedness.

The Guardian - Film

And as we know, everything from escorting Beyoncé to parking on a double yellow while you nip in to Greggs for an iced bun can now be justified with that blight of a modern excuse - "security reasons".

The Guardian - Opinion

If protectionist or regulatory steps come, they will be justified with much talk of creating a "level playing field" for domestic producers and local retailers, and to keep even more jobs from moving overseas.

The New York Times

And the cost of installing and maintaining them is falling as they become better adapted".Some companies think robots are too big, too costly and can only be justified with high-volume manufacturing," Mr Hägele says.

The Economist

Provided that China and Russia did not object too publicly (and how could they in the face of such carnage?), an intervention could be justified with reference to NATO's campaign in Kosovo, which proceeded without UN approval.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

17 human-written examples

Anyway, I know I have a tendency to gush, but I honestly think it's justified with Cold Mountain.

The Guardian - Film

"We believed she was justified with all the things she went through over the years," she said.

The New York Times

All this carnage is justified with an imperious declaration: "We cannot allow the end of the world in the name of what is right.

The New York Times

And it was justified with the same paternalistic logic and ruthless rejection of anything that dared to threaten the position of those in power.

The Guardian - Opinion

Benefit cuts are justified with the urban myth of the feckless and undeserving living in luxury at the expense of the decent and hard working.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "be justified with", ensure that the reason or evidence provided clearly and directly supports the action or decision being justified.

Common error

Avoid using "be justified with" without clearly stating the reason or evidence. Ensure the justification is explicitly linked to the action or decision, rather than leaving it implicit.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be justified with" functions as a passive construction indicating that an action, decision, or belief is supported or explained by a specific reason or evidence. Ludwig provides examples across various domains illustrating its use in academic, scientific, and news contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

48%

News & Media

40%

Encyclopedias

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Wiki

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "be justified with" is a common and grammatically correct passive construction used to indicate that an action, decision, or belief is supported by a specific reason or evidence. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is suitable for written English and functions to provide a rationale or defense. It appears frequently in scientific and news contexts, suggesting a neutral to formal register. When using "be justified with", ensure that the justification is clear and directly linked to the subject. While alternatives like "be supported by" and "be explained by" exist, "be justified with" carries a stronger sense of approval or acceptance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be supported by

Focuses on evidence providing backing rather than the act of justifying.

be explained by

Highlights the act of clarifying or making something understandable.

be warranted by

Implies that something is authorized or necessitated by certain conditions.

be defended by

Suggests an active effort to protect or uphold something.

be validated by

Emphasizes that something has been proven to be true or accurate.

be substantiated by

Indicates that something is supported by concrete evidence.

be underpinned by

Suggests a foundational support or basis for something.

rest on

Implies that something relies on a particular basis or condition.

be grounded in

Highlights that something is firmly based on a specific principle or fact.

find its basis in

Focuses on identifying the fundamental source or reason for something.

FAQs

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

Use "be justified with" to explain why an action, decision, or belief is reasonable or acceptable. For example, "The increase in taxes can "be justified with" the need for improved public services."

What are some alternatives to "be justified with"?

You can use alternatives like "be supported by", "be explained by", or "be warranted by" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "be justified with" in writing?

It is appropriate to use "be justified with" when you want to provide a clear and logical reason for a particular action, decision, or belief. It is commonly used in formal writing, academic papers, and news articles.

What's the difference between "be justified with" and "be explained by"?

"Be justified with" implies that there is a good reason or excuse for something, whereas "be explained by" simply means that something can be made understandable or clear. "Be justified with" carries a stronger sense of approval or acceptance.