devise a rationale

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "devise a rationale" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the process of creating a logical explanation or justification for a decision, action, or idea. Example: "In order to gain approval for the project, we need to devise a rationale that clearly outlines its benefits and objectives."

✓ Grammatically correct

Encyclopedias

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Confucius and other pre-Qin thinkers viewed the traditional political institutions of China as bankrupt and tried to devise a rationale for something to replace them.

Encyclopedia Britannica

I wish I could devise a rationale for giving the money to me or even to Charlotte Rampling -- but I can't, and as there is no obvious recipient for the $150, it is the credit-card company that has the greatest claim.

The New York Times - Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

The rationale of SPMA development was to devise a simple method of urine preparation that can be performed anywhere (even at the patient's bedside in the primary hospitals) and is suitable for large-scale multi-center analysis, while preserving the best quality of urinary proteins for downstream proteomic analysis.

Clinical Proteomics

The two of you devise a plan.

The New Yorker

Let's devise a game plan.

The New York Times

To devise a process management mechanism.

BMJ Open

Some like to devise a point system.

WikiHow

The rationale behind this way of formulating the problem is that after the reduction it becomes easier to devise an efficient version of the SSA for RNA folding kinetics, with multiple runs performed in parallel (see SSA version II and discussion thereafter).

Algorithms for Molecular Biology

4. Devise an emergency plan.

Huffington Post

Based on this rationale, we devised a Service Recommender mechanism and introduced a slight modification in the service lifecycle to accommodate the new Service Recommendation protocol that supports the mechanism.

Future Generation Computer Systems

Binder devised a denominator.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When presenting a new strategy or decision, use "devise a rationale" to emphasize the careful thought process behind it. This adds credibility and demonstrates foresight.

Common error

Avoid making the rationale unnecessarily complex. A clear, concise, and easily understandable rationale is more persuasive than a convoluted one.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "devise a rationale" functions as a verbal phrase indicating the action of creating or formulating a logical justification. It's often used to describe the process of developing reasons to support a decision, plan, or action. The Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Encyclopedias

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "devise a rationale" is a grammatically sound phrase used to express the action of creating a logical justification. While the phrase is relatively rare, as seen in Ludwig's examples, its usage is appropriate in professional, neutral and scientific contexts. When using the phrase, ensure your rationale is clear, concise, and easy to understand to maximize its persuasive impact. Consider alternative phrases like "formulate a justification" or "develop a justification" for slight variations in meaning. According to Ludwig AI, the expression is correct and usable in written English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

formulate a justification

Emphasizes the act of creating a reasoned argument or defense, focusing on the structured development of the rationale.

develop a justification

Similar to 'formulate,' but suggests a more gradual and evolutionary process of creating the rationale.

create a justification

A simpler alternative, focusing on the act of bringing a rationale into existence.

establish a rationale

Focuses on setting up or solidifying a pre-existing but perhaps not fully formed rationale.

construct a rationale

Highlights the building or assembling of a rationale from various components or arguments.

invent a rationale

Suggests a more creative or even contrived approach to developing a rationale, implying ingenuity or resourcefulness.

conceive a rationale

Implies a more intellectual and imaginative process of coming up with a rationale.

contrive a rationale

Suggests a degree of artificiality or manipulation in creating the rationale, often to justify something questionable.

design a rationale

Emphasizes the careful planning and structuring involved in developing a rationale, similar to engineering.

imagine a rationale

Focuses on the hypothetical or speculative nature of the rationale, suggesting it may not be fully grounded in reality.

FAQs

How can I use "devise a rationale" in a sentence?

You can use "devise a rationale" when you want to express the act of creating or formulating a justification or explanation for something. For instance, "The company needed to "develop a rationale" for its new marketing strategy."

What phrases are similar to "devise a rationale"?

Similar phrases include "formulate a justification", "develop a justification", and "create a justification". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "devise a rationale"?

It's appropriate to use "devise a rationale" in situations where you need to explain the reasoning behind a decision, plan, or action, especially when presenting it to others who may need convincing or clarification. It is common in contexts that need a careful thought process.

What's the difference between "devise a rationale" and "provide a rationale"?

"Devise a rationale" implies creating or formulating a justification from scratch, whereas "provide a rationale" suggests presenting an already existing justification. If you are coming up with the reasoning, use "devise"; if you are simply sharing the reasoning, use "provide".