claim defensible

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "claim defensible" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing whether a statement or assertion can be supported or justified with evidence or reasoning. Example: "The lawyer argued that the defendant's actions were justified, making the claim defensible in court."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Is his claim defensible?

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

But the idea of state-owned (or private, foreign-owned) copyrights in public law is so counterintuitive, we should examine whether the claim is defensible.

Cornell University

It is unfortunate that the indictment includes language that turns it from a narrow, more defensible claim.

Harvard University

Most famously there was the banner year of 1941, for which John Ford's magnificent "How Green Was My Valley" was named what the academy then termed "outstanding motion picture" (a more modest, defensible claim and perhaps one the academy should revive) while Orson Welles's game-changing "Citizen Kane" went home with only the original screenplay award.

The New York Times

"I think it's a defensible claim," says theorist Krishna Rajagopal of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cambridge.

Science Magazine

Pruitt's claim is entirely defensible, and on a nuanced topic like this certainly shouldn't be considered mostly false.

Forbes

This at least appears to be a defensible claim, given that what is relevant here is 'conceivability on ideal rational reflection'.

SEP

Etchemendy's claim is perhaps defensible under a conception of logical truth as analyticity simpliciter, but certainly doubtful on more traditional conceptions of logical truth, on which the predicate "is a logical truth" is not even a logical expression.

SEP

And the Wall Street Journal noted that two days earlier, Clinton had made the even less defensible claim — similar to the one we are fact-checking — that "the average CEO makes about 300 times what the average worker makes".

Huffington Post

Kerpen asserts the perfectly defensible claim that the 61-cent increase in tobacco excise taxes used to pay for the SCHIP expansion is regressive and so will hurt the poor in a measure designed to protect them.

Huffington Post

This would lend support to the more reasonable and defensible claims in the document, such as, "Librarians have a responsibility to develop an understanding appreciation of the traditions and cultures associated with materials held in their collections". Absolutely, they do.

Princeton University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "claim defensible", ensure that you can provide evidence or reasoning to support the assertion. Avoid making claims that are based solely on opinion or speculation.

Common error

Avoid presenting a "claim defensible" as an absolute truth. Acknowledge potential counterarguments or limitations to maintain credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "claim defensible" functions as an adjectival phrase modifying the noun "claim". It describes the quality of the claim, indicating its ability to be supported or justified. As seen in Ludwig AI, the phrase assesses whether the claim can be upheld against scrutiny.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Academia

33%

Science

32%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "claim defensible" is a grammatically sound and usable expression for assessing the validity of an assertion. As Ludwig AI indicates, the expression is considered correct and usable in written English. While it appears primarily in news, academic, and scientific contexts, its overall frequency is rare. When using the phrase, ensure you are prepared to provide evidence supporting the claim, and acknowledge any potential limitations to the claim's defensibility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

defensible assertion

Replaces "claim" with "assertion", a more formal synonym, maintaining the focus on the validity of a statement.

justifiable claim

Substitutes "defensible" with "justifiable", highlighting the aspect of being morally or legally right.

supportable claim

Emphasizes the ability to provide evidence or arguments in favor of the claim.

tenable claim

Indicates that the claim is able to be maintained or defended against attack or objection.

sustainable claim

Highlights the claim's ability to withstand scrutiny and remain valid over time.

valid claim

Focuses on the claim's accuracy and conformity to established facts or principles.

defendable argument

Shifts the focus from a "claim" to a broader "argument", implying a more structured presentation of evidence.

well-supported claim

Adds emphasis to the existence of ample evidence backing the claim.

credible claim

Focuses on the believability and trustworthiness of the claim.

reasonable claim

Highlights the logical and rational basis of the claim.

FAQs

How can I determine if a "claim defensible" is actually valid?

Assess the evidence supporting the claim, consider alternative interpretations, and evaluate the credibility of the sources. Look for logical consistency and absence of bias.

What does it mean for a "claim defensible" to be 'tenable'?

A tenable claim is one that can be maintained or defended against objection, even if it isn't conclusively proven. It suggests the claim is reasonably arguable.

When is it appropriate to describe a statement as a "claim defensible"?

Use this phrase when you want to emphasize that the statement, even if potentially controversial, has a basis in evidence or reason that makes it justifiable.

Are there stronger alternatives to using the phrase "claim defensible"?

Depending on the context, phrases like "valid claim" or "well-supported claim" might convey a greater sense of certainty or evidentiary backing.