certain rationale

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "certain rationale" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a specific reasoning or justification for a decision or action. Example: "The committee provided a certain rationale for their decision to approve the project, emphasizing its potential benefits."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

Despite its sleazy reputation, payola has a certain rationale.

The New Yorker

But there is a certain rationale to Pyongyang's moves.

The New York Times

Yet all of this presupposes a certain rationale: that at the ballot box Greeks will weigh their options, think logically and vote for the man who has rolled back on almost every pledge he has ever made.

The Guardian

It doesn't make this any more palatable, but it is given a certain rationale by Samantha Spiro's no-holds-barred Katherina, who knocks down walls with her fists and whose instinctive response to a prospective wooer is to kick him in the goolies.

The Guardian

When abstraction was in the forefront, when content was less confrontational and when edginess was more a question of style, there also would have been a certain rationale in linking the pioneering qualities of art with a corporation's image as an innovator in its industry.

The New York Times

So in a way it's a ritual, though there is a certain rationale behind it.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

We selectively give certain design rationales with appropriate title under attribute or cargo bullets.

Journal of Cheminformatics

But no one outside Iraq's central government is certain of the rationale even now.

The New York Times

As noted in 4.2, some political liberals have sought to provide rationales showing why a liberal state should support certain relationships; these rationales generate corresponding reform proposals.

SEP

That's just how it is," her friend Ben says, struggling to explain the rationale behind certain band names.

The New York Times - Books

Possibly this was to demonstrate that the native population was being "civilized," the rationale behind certain American images of that time showing American Indians wearing European-style dress.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "certain rationale" when you want to indicate that there is a specific, though perhaps not fully elaborated, justification for an action or decision. It suggests that the rationale exists and is known, even if not immediately apparent.

Common error

Avoid using "certain rationale" when the justification is completely vague or unknown. "Certain" implies some level of clarity or awareness, even if partial.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "certain rationale" functions as a noun phrase where "certain" modifies the noun "rationale". It refers to a specific, though perhaps not fully explained, justification or reason for something. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this usage is grammatically sound.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "certain rationale" is a grammatically correct and relatively uncommon expression used to indicate a specific, though perhaps not fully detailed, justification or reason. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's often used in neutral to professional contexts, particularly in news, scientific, and academic writing. While alternatives like "specific justification" or "particular reason" might provide more emphasis on clarity, "certain rationale" suggests that a logical basis exists, even if not immediately obvious. When using this phrase, ensure that there is indeed a defined, even if partially explained, justification, to avoid overstating its specificity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

specific justification

Focuses on a particular and detailed justification, emphasizing precision.

particular reason

Highlights a specific reason among many possibilities, stressing its uniqueness.

definite grounds

Suggests clear and established reasons, emphasizing the solid foundation.

distinct justification

Emphasizes the clarity and separateness of the justification.

precise reasoning

Highlights the accuracy and detail of the reasoning.

clear justification

Indicates an easily understood and unambiguous justification.

valid explanation

Suggests that the explanation is well-founded and logically sound.

sound reasoning

Emphasizes the logical coherence and strength of the reasoning.

cogent explanation

Highlights the persuasiveness and clarity of the explanation.

defensible argument

Suggests that the argument can be supported with evidence and reasoning.

FAQs

How can I use "certain rationale" in a sentence?

You can use "certain rationale" when you want to indicate that there is a specific reason or justification for something, even if it is not immediately obvious. For example: "There is a certain rationale behind the company's decision to invest in new technology."

What can I say instead of "certain rationale"?

You can use alternatives like "specific justification", "particular reason", or "clear justification" depending on the context.

Is it better to use "certain rationale" or "specific rationale"?

Both "certain rationale" and "specific rationale" are correct, but "specific rationale" may emphasize more clarity and detail in the justification. The choice depends on the nuance you want to convey.

What's the difference between "certain rationale" and "possible rationale"?

"Certain rationale" implies that a rationale exists and is known to some extent, whereas "possible rationale" suggests that a rationale is being considered or speculated upon, but is not yet confirmed.