burden of justification

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "burden of justification" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where one party is required to provide reasons or evidence to support a claim or action, often in legal or philosophical discussions. Example: "In a court of law, the burden of justification lies with the prosecution to prove the defendant's guilt beyond a reasonable doubt."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

What he said was, notwithstanding that doctrine, don't you have a heavy burden of justification?

The Washington Post

"Do you not have a heavy burden of justification to show authority under the constitution" for the individual mandate?

The Guardian

"Do you not have a heavy burden of justification to show authorisation under the constitution?" he asked.

The Guardian

If that is so, do you not have a heavy burden of justification?" Every premise of that question was a misperception.

The New Yorker

"Do you not have a heavy burden of justification to show authorisation under the constitution?" he asked the US solicitor-general, Donald Verrilli, who was defending the law.

The Guardian

A party seeking to seal court records thus carries a heavy burden of justification in order to overcome the public's right of access.

The Washington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

From the start, the prosecution had the heavy burden of disproving the justification the officers put forth in the shooting.

The New York Times

In light of such skepticism, the burden of proof for the justification of war is placed upon the government, who must prove that the dangerous and presumptively immoral activity of war can in fact be justified.

SEP

From the standpoint of argumentation theory, (U) seems to state the burden of proof that structures an adequate process and procedure of justification.

SEP

The law demands that making a claim needs justification, and the burden of proof lies with the one making the claim.

Vice

As for Switzerland, we believe that there is ample societal justification for lowering the burden of risk adjustment payments for young adults aged 19 to 25 years.

Health Economics Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "burden of justification", ensure you clearly identify who bears this burden and what standard of proof they must meet.

Common error

Avoid using "burden of justification" loosely; it implies a formal requirement to provide reasons or evidence, not merely a request for an explanation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "burden of justification" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as the subject or object of a sentence. It identifies the obligation to provide reasons or evidence to support a claim or action, as demonstrated in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

30%

Science

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "burden of justification" is a noun phrase denoting the obligation to provide reasons or evidence to support a claim or action. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and provides various examples from reputable sources, indicating its use in formal contexts such as law, academia, and ethics. The phrase, while not exceedingly common, carries a precise meaning and is best employed when identifying a specific requirement for reasoned defense. Related phrases like "onus of proof" can offer stylistic alternatives, but maintaining clarity regarding who bears the burden is crucial.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

onus of proof

Replaces "burden" with "onus", emphasizing the responsibility.

duty to justify

Focuses on the obligation rather than the weight of the requirement.

need for justification

Highlights the necessity of providing a valid rationale.

requirement of proof

Emphasizes the need for evidence to support a claim.

obligation to substantiate

Focuses on providing factual support for a statement or action.

compelling justification

Highlights that the provided justification must be convincing.

responsibility to defend

Emphasizes the active role of defending a position with evidence.

necessity to validate

Highlights the need to confirm the validity of something.

imperative to rationalize

Focuses on providing a logical explanation for an action or decision.

demand for substantiation

Emphasizes that proof or evidence is required.

FAQs

How is the "burden of justification" typically used in legal contexts?

In law, the "burden of justification" usually rests on the party seeking to defend an action or claim, requiring them to provide sufficient evidence and reasoning to support their position.

What's the difference between "burden of proof" and "burden of justification"?

While both relate to providing evidence, "burden of proof" generally applies to establishing facts, whereas "burden of justification" concerns providing reasons to defend or legitimize an action or decision. You can also say "onus of proof".

In what situations might one encounter the "burden of justification" outside of legal settings?

Outside of law, the "burden of justification" can apply in ethical debates, policy discussions, or any scenario where one must defend the rationale behind a particular choice or stance.

Can I use other words instead of "burden" in "burden of justification"?

Yes, alternatives like "onus", duty, or responsibility can be used to convey a similar meaning, depending on the context and the specific nuance you wish to express.