chief justification

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "chief justification" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to the primary or main reason for something, often in discussions or analyses. Example: "The chief justification for the policy change was to improve efficiency within the organization."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

But to my mind Caban Cariad's chief justification is its glorious location.

The Guardian - Travel

And though ethnic pride was the Nazis' chief justification for their movement, that wasn't necessarily the fault of ethnic pride.

The New Yorker

Gove's chief justification for inflicting transformational change on schools is that "we are falling further and further behind other nations".

The Guardian - Opinion

The chief justification for invading Iraq was to get rid of Baghdad's stores of chemical and biological agents and dismantle its effort to produce a nuclear bomb.

The New York Times

If Trump overestimates public support for his chief justification for abandoning the Paris deal, he may attract resentment from voters on both sides who increasingly favor government action on climate change.

The Washington Post

Prime Minister Tony Blair of Britain, who also used Iraqi illicit weapons as a chief justification of the war, has been repeatedly attacked on this question in Parliament and outside it.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

"Bit by bit," he wrote of the majority's approach, "Miranda will lose the clarity and ease of application that has long been viewed as one of its chief justifications".

The New York Times

The figures confirm that the earnings squeeze pre-dates the 2007 recession, appearing to endorse Ed Miliband's claim that the link between wages and growth has been broken, one of his chief justifications for his willingness to intervene in the market.

The Guardian - Money

(Buchanan, 1998a) There are two chief justifications for democratic governance.

SEP

"Because there is persuasive evidence that the entry suspension has a legitimate grounding in national security concerns, quite apart from any religious hostility, we must accept that independent justification," Chief Justice John Roberts wrote for the court's conservative majority.

HuffPost

Dallas police chief David Brown reiterated the justification in an interview on Sunday.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "chief justification", ensure it directly reflects the most significant reason or argument. Avoid using it for secondary or less important reasons.

Common error

Avoid using "chief justification" when multiple, equally important reasons exist. In such cases, consider using "primary justifications" or listing the reasons individually.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "chief justification" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject complement or object of a sentence. Ludwig examples confirm that it identifies the primary reason or rationale behind a decision, action, or belief.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "chief justification" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase that highlights the primary reason or rationale behind a decision, action, or belief. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and usability in various contexts. It is most frequently found in news and media sources, with applications also in science and wiki articles. Alternatives include "main reason" and "primary rationale". When employing this phrase, ensure it accurately represents the most significant reason, avoiding its use when multiple equally important reasons exist.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

main reason

Focuses on the primary cause or explanation.

primary rationale

Emphasizes the underlying logic or reasoning.

principal reason

Highlights the leading or most important reason.

key rationale

Indicates the essential or fundamental reasoning.

core justification

Stresses the central or most important element of the justification.

central argument

Highlights the main point being argued or defended.

mainspring

This suggests the primary motive or driving force.

underlying reason

Focuses on the fundamental cause or explanation, often less obvious.

driving force

Suggests the primary impetus or motivation behind something.

basic premise

Emphasizes the fundamental assumption or foundation of an argument.

FAQs

What does "chief justification" mean?

The "chief justification" refers to the main or most important reason for something, the primary rationale behind an action, decision, or belief.

How can I use "chief justification" in a sentence?

You can use "chief justification" to highlight the primary reason or argument. For example: "The "main reason" for the policy change was to improve efficiency."

What are some alternatives to "chief justification"?

Alternatives include "main reason", "primary rationale", or "principal reason". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is "chief justification" formal or informal?

"Chief justification" is suitable for both formal and neutral contexts, as evidenced by its use in news articles, academic papers, and business documents. Its formality depends on the surrounding text.