cannot be rationalized

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cannot be rationalized" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a situation, belief, or action that cannot be justified or explained logically. Example: "The decision to cut funding for education cannot be rationalized in a society that values knowledge and progress."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

Creativity, however, cannot be rationalized.

Encyclopedia Britannica

We also show that price dispersion cannot be rationalized by product life cycle.

University of California, Berkeley

The enhanced galling resistance cannot be rationalized in terms of tensile stress-strain response alone.

Materials & Design

These data cannot be rationalized in the framework of frequency-dependent friction.

Electrochimica Acta

Petitioner's casual, careless, callous use of the libel cannot be rationalized as resulting from the heat of a campaign.

Cornell University

Carefully designed control experiments yielded observations that cannot be rationalized by the existing theory, suggesting that it is incomplete.

Applied Catalysis A: General

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

These differences cannot easily be rationalized.

BMC Genomics

Strikingly, we observed an additional XL between Hsp70 and Hsp90 (K271-K558) that cannot be reconciled with only one Hsp70, and can only be rationalized by antiparallel subunit interactions of a second Hsp70.

Cell Reports

Increase in catalytic activity with increasing temperature could be rationalized that at higher temperature, phenyl ring of the borane moiety cannot bind with the active metal center which is beneficial for better activity.

Applied Petrochemical Research

But the more negative components of smart talk the tendency to tear an idea down without offering anything positive in its place, and the belief that complex language and ideas are somehow better than simple ones cannot be rationalized so easily.

Harvard Business Review

This could be rationalized as follows.

Nature

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "cannot be rationalized", ensure that the context clearly demonstrates the absence of any logical or justifiable explanation. This will strengthen your argument and avoid potential misinterpretations.

Common error

Avoid using "cannot be rationalized" when describing purely subjective opinions or preferences, as these inherently lack objective justification. Instead, use phrases like "difficult to understand" or "hard to appreciate" for subjective matters.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cannot be rationalized" functions as a passive construction, expressing the inability to provide a logical or justifiable explanation for something. As Ludwig's examples show, it's used to indicate a lack of reason or defensibility.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

30%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "cannot be rationalized" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression that signifies the absence of a logical or justifiable explanation. As evidenced by Ludwig, its usage spans across diverse fields such as science, news media, and academia, reflecting its versatility in formal and informal communication. Ludwig AI confirms the acceptability of the phrase and suggests alternatives like "cannot be justified" or "cannot be explained" for nuanced applications. To maximize its impact, ensure that the context clearly lacks rational support, avoiding subjective scenarios where personal preferences dominate. Understanding its implications and proper usage enhances clarity and persuasive power in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cannot be justified

Focuses on the lack of moral or legal support.

cannot be explained

Emphasizes the absence of a clear or understandable reason.

cannot be accounted for

Highlights the inability to provide a satisfactory explanation or reason.

cannot be defended

Stresses the indefensibility of an action or belief.

cannot be excused

Focuses on the lack of acceptable reasons for overlooking a fault or offense.

cannot be legitimized

Emphasizes the absence of legal or moral authorization.

cannot be vindicated

Highlights the inability to clear someone of blame or suspicion.

cannot be legitimated

Focuses on the lack of social acceptance or authorization.

cannot be warranted

Stresses the absence of sufficient reason or justification.

cannot be motivated

Highlights the inability to provide a driving force or reason.

FAQs

How can I use "cannot be rationalized" in a sentence?

You can use "cannot be rationalized" to describe actions, decisions, or phenomena that lack a logical explanation or justification. For example, "The company's sudden decision to close the plant "cannot be rationalized" given its recent profits."

What are some alternatives to saying "cannot be rationalized"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "cannot be justified", "cannot be explained", or "cannot be accounted for" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it more formal to say "cannot be rationalized" or "can't be rationalized"?

"Cannot be rationalized" is more formal than "can't be rationalized". Use the former in academic papers, formal reports, and other professional contexts, reserving the latter for more casual communications.

What's the difference between "cannot be rationalized" and "cannot be justified"?

While both phrases imply a lack of validity, "cannot be rationalized" emphasizes the absence of a logical explanation, while "cannot be justified" focuses on the lack of moral or legal support. The choice between them depends on whether you want to highlight the absence of logic or the absence of ethical grounds.