citing as justification

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "citing as justification" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to the act of referencing something as a reason or basis for a particular argument or action. Example: "The author is citing as justification the recent studies that support her claims about climate change."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

"The National Assembly should go ahead and impeach the president for gross misconduct," said Mr. Musa, citing as justification Mr. Yar'Adua's failure to inform lawmakers of the length of his absence.

The New York Times

Last week, the Indian government -- citing as justification its 10-week war with Pakistan last summer in Kashmir -- proposed a 28percentt rise in military spending, a $3 billion increase that is itself more than Pakistan's entire military budget.

The New York Times

It agreed to the budget deficit, citing as justification the deepening recession in the country and the need for government spending on one hand, and signs that inflation is falling on the other.

The New York Times

Germany, followed by the other Axis states, declared war on the United States in solidarity with Japan, citing as justification the American attacks on German submarines and merchant ships that had been ordered by Roosevelt.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

This is cited as justification for a harsh expulsion policy, as a deterrent.

The Economist

The Olympic bid was already being cited as justification for building a third airport.

The New York Times

All this made it inevitable that Kosovo, like Iraq, would be cited as justification for other adventures.

The Economist

The temptation now will be for success in Libya to be cited as justification in itself and a precedent for military interventions elsewhere.

Independent

But they will cite as justification both their own security and Iraq's dozen years of non-compliance with all the previous resolutions.

The Economist

Remnants of heavy weaponry, which France and the United Nations had cited as justification for aiming so close to Mr. Gbagbo's residence and offices, were also on display.

The New York Times

Drones have, as the New York Times put it, "replaced Guantánamo as the recruiting tool of choice for militants", cited as justification by jihadists for attacks on western cities.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "citing as justification" to introduce evidence or reasoning that explains why a particular decision, behavior, or outcome occurred. This helps to provide clarity and validation within your writing.

Common error

Avoid relying too heavily on the phrase "citing as justification" in close proximity, which can lead to repetitive writing. Instead, vary your language by using alternatives or rephrasing to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "citing as justification" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a verb, noun, or clause. It indicates that something is being referenced to provide a reason or validation for an action, belief, or statement. As Ludwig AI explains, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "citing as justification" is a grammatically sound and usable phrase that functions to provide a reason or validation for an action or claim. While Ludwig shows its frequency to be uncommon, the contexts where it's found, such as news, wiki, and science, are often formal. To improve your writing, use this phrase judiciously, ensuring the cited source genuinely supports the justification and varying your language to prevent repetition. Alternatives such as "offering as a rationale" or "presenting as grounds" can enhance clarity and engagement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

offering as a rationale

Replaces "justification" with "rationale", implying a more reasoned or logical basis.

presenting as grounds

Uses "grounds" instead of "justification", suggesting a more fundamental reason or basis.

invoking as a reason

Replaces "citing" with "invoking", suggesting a more formal or authoritative appeal.

referring to as a legitimization

Replaces "justification" with "legitimization", emphasizing that the action is made lawful or acceptable.

claiming as validation

Uses "validation" instead of "justification", emphasizing the act of confirming or proving something's worth.

offering in defense

Suggests the justification is a response to an accusation or challenge.

alleging as support

Suggests the justification is a claim without necessarily being proven or widely accepted.

pointing to as vindication

Emphasizes that the justification serves to prove the correctness or rightness of an action.

using as a pretext

Implies that the justification is not the real reason but is being used to conceal the true motive.

advancing as an excuse

Implies the justification is a reason offered to lessen blame or avoid responsibility.

FAQs

How can I use "citing as justification" in a sentence?

You can use "citing as justification" to explain why an action was taken or a decision was made. For example, "The company defended its environmental practices, "citing as justification" its compliance with all applicable regulations".

What are some alternatives to "citing as justification"?

Some alternatives include "offering as a rationale", "presenting as grounds", or "invoking as a reason", depending on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "citing as justification" in formal writing?

Yes, "citing as justification" is suitable for formal writing, especially when you need to provide a clear and reasoned basis for an action or belief.

What's the difference between "citing as justification" and "citing as an excuse"?

"Citing as justification" implies a legitimate reason or valid support, while "citing as an excuse" suggests a reason offered to avoid blame or responsibility. The key difference lies in the legitimacy and acceptability of the reason provided.