difficult to justify

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "difficult to justify" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is used to describe something that is not easily explainable or reasonable. Example: "The company's decision to lay off 100 employees was difficult to justify, as their profits were still high."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It is difficult to justify the.

The Guardian - Business

"It's difficult to justify not getting it".

The New York Times

This makes them much more difficult to justify.

The Guardian - Music

But it would make the deal difficult to justify to stockholders.

The New York Times

These eye-watering sums make the decision to carry on working increasingly difficult to justify.

The Guardian - Opinion

Lending by the Fed to one specific company is more difficult to justify under current legislation.

The New York Times

Record low interest rates are increasingly unnecessary and difficult to justify.

The Guardian - Business

It is also difficult to justify the decision based purely on talent.

The New York Times - Sports

But it is becoming difficult to justify the clobber we don.

The Guardian

It is very difficult to justify it, speaking drily about it.

The Guardian - Film

Financially it is very difficult to justify arts further education in this climate.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "difficult to justify", consider the audience and context. Provide clear and concise reasons why something is hard to defend or rationalize to maintain credibility.

Common error

Avoid simply stating that something is "difficult to justify" without explaining why. Always provide specific reasons or evidence to support your claim and avoid ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "difficult to justify" functions as an evaluative descriptor, indicating a lack of readily apparent or convincing reasons to support something. Ludwig AI suggests that the phrase is correct and usable in written English. It is often used to express skepticism or disagreement with a course of action.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

51%

Science

38%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "difficult to justify" is a versatile phrase used to express that something lacks a clear or convincing reason. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and appropriate for written English. It appears most frequently in news and media and scientific contexts, indicating its utility in discussing complex and potentially controversial issues. When using this phrase, it's essential to provide supporting reasons to strengthen your argument and avoid ambiguity. Related alternatives, such as "hard to defend" or "challenging to validate", offer nuanced ways to convey similar meanings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hard to defend

This alternative highlights the challenge of protecting something from criticism or attack, implying a weakness in its rationale.

tough to rationalize

Focuses on the difficulty of finding a logical explanation or excuse for an action or decision.

challenging to validate

Emphasizes the problem of confirming or proving the accuracy or legitimacy of something.

onerous to warrant

This implies that the action is burdensome or troublesome to guarantee.

not easily supported

Indicates a lack of evidence or reasons to back up a claim or action.

strenuous to defend

Highlights the amount of effort involved in the defense of the argument.

problematic to substantiate

Indicates the trouble in giving substantial or concrete form to the argument.

not readily justifiable

Implies the action is only justifiable under specific conditions.

complicated to explain

Highlights that the reasoning is not intuitive or linear and that needs deeper analysis.

imprudent to advocate

This alternative suggest that the action is unwise or not cautious to suggest.

FAQs

How can I use "difficult to justify" in a sentence?

Use "difficult to justify" when you want to express that something lacks a clear or reasonable explanation. For example, "The high cost of the project was "difficult to justify" given the limited benefits." It's used to express why something is hard to defend.

What are some alternatives to "difficult to justify"?

Alternatives include "hard to defend", "challenging to validate", or "tough to rationalize". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "difficult to justify" or "hard to justify"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct and have similar meanings. "Difficult to justify" is slightly more formal than "hard to justify", but both are widely accepted. Choose the one that best fits the tone of your writing.

When is it appropriate to use "difficult to justify" in formal writing?

It is appropriate in formal writing when discussing policies, decisions, or actions that lack a clear or convincing rationale. It suggests a need for stronger justification or a reevaluation of the subject being discussed.