chief rationale for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "chief rationale for" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate the primary reason or justification for a particular action, decision, or belief. Example: "The chief rationale for implementing the new policy was to improve employee productivity and morale."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

But Mr. Kay and his search team had the integrity to report conclusions that undermined the administration's chief rationale for going to war.

The New York Times

Most of those surveyed rejected Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg's chief rationale for the practice, saying they did not think that stopping and frisking suspicious people had lowered the crime rate or reduced the use of illegal guns.

The New York Times

Mr. Kerry's efforts to use the disappearance of the explosives to question the president's competence as commander in chief, both on Iraq and on domestic security, signaled that he would take aim directly at Mr. Bush's chief rationale for re-election: that he is better prepared to lead a war against terrorists.

The New York Times

Exxon may hold the highest stock valuation among listed firms, but it is dwarfed by Saudi Arabia's unlisted Aramco, whose oil reserves are 20 times larger and off-limits to foreigners.A chief rationale for the recent mergers was that only super-majors can afford to spend the sort of money that might help them bag various giant oil prospects.

The Economist

This rapid growth of mobile phone ownership in LMICs forms the chief rationale for promoting mHealth.

Globalization and Health

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

"Experience is not the only point," Sanders said, going at one of the chief rationales for Clinton's candidacy.

Los Angeles Times

[A1.] AOL Subscriber Sales Disappoint According to Gerald M. Levin, the chief executive of AOL Time Warner, the main rationale for the multibillion-dollar merger that created the company was subscriptions, from Time Warner's magazine and cable business and from the America Online Internet operations.

The New York Times

Mark R. Freeman, chief investment officer at the Westwood Holdings Group, notes that the primary rationale for rebalancing is to manage the overall risk of a portfolio.

The New York Times

These interests emerged as the principal rationale for caseload midwifery, as underlined below by the chief midwife's focus on maintaining work satisfaction among caseload midwives.

BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth

Pact chief executive John McVay said: "The rationale for maintaining a large in-house production division and guarantee is crumbling – the BBC themselves recognise this.

The Guardian

Franklin also sent AF Chief of Staff Mark Welsh his rationale for dismissing the verdict.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To enhance clarity, follow "chief rationale for" with a concise explanation or evidence supporting why this rationale is considered the most important.

Common error

Avoid using "chief rationale for" when the rationale is debatable or not universally accepted. This can weaken your argument. Instead, consider using "a rationale" or "one rationale" to indicate that it's just one of several reasons.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "chief rationale for" functions as a noun phrase that introduces the primary reason or justification for a particular action, decision, or belief. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in written English. It often serves to clarify the underlying motivation or strategic thinking behind something.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "chief rationale for" is a noun phrase used to highlight the primary reason or justification behind something. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English. It is most frequently found in News & Media and Science contexts, indicating its use in formal explanations and analyses. While less common, it serves to provide clarity and emphasize the core logic behind a decision or action. When using this phrase, ensure it accurately represents the most important reason and is supported by clear evidence.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

primary justification for

Replaces 'rationale' with 'justification' and 'chief' with 'primary', emphasizing the main reason.

main reason for

Uses simpler vocabulary; 'main' instead of 'chief' and 'reason' instead of 'rationale'.

principal cause of

Focuses on the causal aspect, highlighting the main reason something happens.

key motive behind

Emphasizes the motivation or driving force behind an action or decision.

core explanation for

Highlights the central explanation or reason for something.

central reason for

Similar to 'main reason', but uses 'central' to convey the importance.

fundamental basis for

Suggests a foundational reason or justification.

underlying justification for

Highlights the deeper, less obvious reasons behind something.

driving force behind

Emphasizes the element that propels or motivates something.

essential grounds for

Emphasizes the critical or indispensable reasons for something.

FAQs

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

You can use "chief rationale for" to introduce the primary reason or justification behind a decision, action, or belief. For example: "The "chief rationale for" the merger was to increase market share".

What are some alternatives to "chief rationale for"?

Alternatives include "primary justification for", "main reason for", or "principal cause of". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is "chief rationale for" formal or informal?

"Chief rationale for" is generally considered a formal phrase suitable for academic, professional, and news contexts. Simpler alternatives like "main reason" may be more appropriate for informal settings.

What's the difference between "rationale" and "reason"?

"Rationale" implies a more reasoned, systematic explanation than "reason". While "reason" is more general, "rationale" suggests a carefully constructed justification. Therefore using "chief rationale for" suggest a very though decision.