explain the rationale for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "explain the rationale for" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when asking someone to clarify the reasoning or justification behind a decision, action, or idea. Example: "In your report, please explain the rationale for choosing this particular strategy over others."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Still, the plans fail to explain the rationale for reprocessing.

The Economist

She must continually explain the rationale for the differences between NewCo and CoreCo.

Harvard Business Review

The important thing is that you have the conversations and explain the rationale for the decisions.

Harvard Business Review

When asked to explain the rationale for the secrecy, Mr. Williams replied, "There is no policy per se".

The New York Times

President Bush should continue and expand his efforts to explain the rationale for postwar American engagement in Iraq and to describe the extent of the required commitment.

The New York Times

Together, these readings explain the rationale for employing experimental methods in law and economics research, and the key methods employed by EELR scholars.

Yale University

An Apple spokeswoman, Trudy Muller, declined to explain the rationale for banning charitable solicitations via apps, saying only, "We are proud to have many applications on our App Store which accept charitable donations via their Web sites".

The New York Times - Tech

It should clarify its method for counting civilian casualties in the strikes and release "the factual record" of disputed past strikes to explain the rationale for them, he said.

The New York Times

We explain the rationale for metabolically adaptive radiation dose escalation in stage III non-small cell lung cancer and describe the design of a Canadian phase II randomized trial investigating this approach.

Clinical Lung Cancer

Based on contemporary epidemiological and pathological characteristics of prostate cancer we explain the rationale for and concerns about focal therapy for low risk prostate cancer, review potential methods of delivery and propose study design parameters.

The Journal of Urology

We first explain the rationale for the overall model and then describe our hybrid model with 'hard' and 'soft' trust components, followed by a description of the system architecture.

Journal of Computer and System Sciences

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "explain the rationale for", ensure you provide sufficient context to make the reasoning clear and understandable to your audience. Clarity is key to effective communication.

Common error

Avoid vague explanations that lack specific details. Ensure the rationale is thoroughly supported with evidence and logical reasoning to prevent misinterpretations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "explain the rationale for" functions as a request or directive, prompting someone to provide the reasons or justification behind a particular action, decision, or belief. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

36%

News & Media

44%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Wiki

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "explain the rationale for" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression, as confirmed by Ludwig AI, that serves to request a clear justification or reasoning. Its use is particularly prevalent in academic, scientific, and news contexts, reflecting its suitability for professional and objective communication. When employing this phrase, it's essential to provide sufficient context to ensure that the explanation is both clear and comprehensible, avoiding vagueness. Alternatives such as "describe the rationale for" or "justify the reasoning behind" can be used depending on the desired emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

describe the rationale for

Replaces "explain" with "describe", focusing on providing an account rather than a justification.

justify the reasoning behind

Uses "justify" to emphasize proving the validity of the reasoning.

clarify the basis for

Substitutes "rationale" with "basis" and "explain" with "clarify", highlighting the fundamental reasons.

elucidate the reasons for

Replaces "explain" with "elucidate", suggesting a more detailed and thorough explanation.

give the explanation for

A more direct and straightforward substitution of "explain" with "give the explanation".

account for the justification of

Focuses on providing an account that includes justification.

spell out the reasons for

Uses "spell out" to emphasize a detailed and explicit explanation.

detail the justification for

Replaces "explain" with "detail", emphasizing a comprehensive account of the justification.

provide the grounds for

Substitutes "rationale" with "grounds", focusing on the fundamental reasons or basis.

present the justification for

Uses "present" to emphasize the act of formally introducing or showcasing the justification.

FAQs

How can I use "explain the rationale for" in a sentence?

You can use "explain the rationale for" to ask for a justification or reasoning behind a decision or action. For example, "Can you "explain the rationale for" choosing this approach?"

What are some alternatives to "explain the rationale for"?

Alternatives include phrases like "describe the rationale for", "justify the reasoning behind", or "clarify the basis for". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired emphasis.

Is there a difference between "explain the rationale for" and "justify the rationale for"?

"Explain the rationale for" focuses on providing a clear understanding of the reasons. "Justify the rationale for", on the other hand, emphasizes proving the validity or correctness of those reasons. Therefore, "justify the rationale for" implies a stronger defense of the reasoning.

When is it most appropriate to use "explain the rationale for"?

It is most appropriate to use "explain the rationale for" when you need someone to provide a clear and understandable account of the reasons behind a decision, action, or plan. This is especially useful in professional, academic, or formal settings where clarity and understanding are paramount.