chief justification for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "chief justification for" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the primary reason or rationale behind a particular action, decision, or belief. Example: "The chief justification for implementing the new policy is to improve overall efficiency within the organization."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

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

The New Yorker

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

The hawks in the Commons and Congress who invoke Israel's national security as the chief justification for a pre-emptive attack on Iran are ignoring the expert opinions of Israel's own military and intelligence chiefs, both past and present.

The Guardian - Opinion

And on a darker note it became the chief justification for violent action by terrorist groups like the Red Army Faction and the Second of June Movement, which even took its name from the day of Mr. Ohnesorg's killing.

The New York Times

Officials cite the need for a speedy start on rebuilding as the chief justification for limiting the initial contracts in Iraq to the small number of American companies that were invited to submit bids.

The New York Times

A permit application for the wall, filed by Trump International Golf Links Ireland and reviewed by POLITICO, explicitly cites global warming and its consequences — increased erosion due to rising sea levels and extreme weather this century — as a chief justification for building the structure.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

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

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

The Guardian - Travel

There is no moral justification for chief executives' being paid hundreds of times more than ordinary employees.

The New York Times

According to the lawsuit, the chairman of Time Warner Cable, Glenn A. Britt, told Leo J. Hindery Jr., YES's chief executive officer, that one justification for moving YES "is to affect the outcome of the arbitration between YES and Cablevision such that Cablevision would win the right to offer YES on terms other than expanded basic".

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "chief justification for" when you want to emphasize that a reason is the most important one supporting an action or decision. It adds weight and clarity to your argument.

Common error

While grammatically correct, using "chief justification for" in very informal or casual conversations can sound overly formal. Opt for simpler alternatives like "main reason" or "biggest reason" in such settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "chief justification for" functions as a prepositional phrase that highlights the primary and most significant reason or rationale behind a specific action, decision, or belief. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

30%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "chief justification for" is a grammatically correct and usable English expression, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It serves to highlight the most important reason or rationale behind an action or decision. While suitable for formal and neutral contexts such as news reports and scientific documents, it might sound overly formal in casual settings. Alternatives like "main reason for" or "primary basis for" can be used to convey a similar meaning with a slightly less formal tone. The phrase is primarily used in News & Media, Science and Wiki contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

main reason for

This alternative replaces "chief justification" with "main reason", simplifying the phrasing while retaining the core meaning.

primary basis for

This emphasizes the foundational aspect of the justification, using 'basis' instead of 'justification'.

principal rationale for

Replaces "chief justification" with "principal rationale", offering a more formal tone.

key reason for

This phrase uses "key reason" to highlight the importance of the justification.

fundamental reason for

Highlights the basic or essential nature of the justification.

core argument for

Focuses on the argumentative aspect of the justification, suitable when presenting a defense or explanation.

central motive for

Shifts the focus to the underlying motive or intention behind an action.

essential cause of

This alternative emphasizes the causal aspect of the justification.

driving force behind

This alternative emphasizes the motivational factor for an event or action

underlying premise of

This option is more appropriate when the justification is based on a theoretical or assumed foundation.

FAQs

What is the meaning of "chief justification for"?

The phrase "chief justification for" refers to the most important reason or rationale that supports a particular action, decision, or belief.

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

You can use "chief justification for" to introduce the primary reason behind something. For example, "The "main justification for" the project was its potential to increase efficiency."

What are some alternatives to "chief justification for"?

Alternatives include "primary reason for", "main reason for", or "principal rationale for". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired level of formality.

When is it appropriate to use "chief justification for"?

It's appropriate to use "chief justification for" in formal writing or speech when you want to clearly identify the most important reason supporting your argument or position. However, it may sound overly formal in casual conversation, where alternatives like "biggest reason for" might be more suitable.