explain your rationale

USAGE SUMMARY

'explain your rationale' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You could use it when you need to ask someone to explain why they have made a certain decision or taken a particular action. For example: "Can you explain your rationale for choosing to go with this supplier?".

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

Locate evidence and explain your rationale.

University of California, Berkeley

And feel free to explain your rationale as well.

The New York Times

"The most important thing is to explain your rationale," Mr. Hartnett said.

The New York Times

When you decide to turn a meeting over to someone else, explain your rationale to the group.

Harvard Business Review

Can you explain your rationale for that strategy?

Forbes

Explain your rationale to him and why his plan for the paper won't work for you.

Science Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

If this is a concern of yours, for starters, alleviate their worries by explaining your situation and your rationale.

WikiHow

You may be asked to explain the rationale behind your decisions.

The Guardian - Money

Can you explain the rationale for your site?

Forbes

Let's watch Dr. Strangelove and his disobedient black glove explain the rationale behind the Doomsday Bomb: Your thoughts?

The New York Times

The official did not explain the rationale.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "explain your rationale" in situations where transparency and accountability are important. This phrase is appropriate when the goal is to foster trust and understanding.

Common error

Avoid using overly technical jargon or complex language when you "explain your rationale". The goal is to make your reasoning clear and accessible, not to impress with vocabulary.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "explain your rationale" typically functions as an imperative, directly requesting someone to provide a detailed explanation of their reasoning or justification. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is correct and usable. Examples found in Ludwig demonstrate its application in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Academia

20%

Formal & Business

18%

Less common in

Science

16%

Wiki

14%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "explain your rationale" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase that prompts someone to articulate the reasons behind their actions or decisions. Ludwig AI validates its correctness. While the phrase is not extremely common, it is employed across diverse contexts such as news media, academia, and formal business settings. When using this phrase, it's best to ensure that the explanation is clear and accessible, avoiding overly complex language. Consider alternatives like "justify your reasoning" or "clarify your justification" for slight variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

justify your reasoning

Emphasizes the act of defending your reasoning with evidence.

clarify your justification

Focuses on making the reasons behind an action or decision more understandable.

detail your reasoning

Stresses the need to provide a comprehensive account of the thought process.

outline your reasons

Highlights the structuring and presentation of the reasons.

present your justification

Implies a formal or structured explanation of the reasons.

account for your decision

Focuses on providing a comprehensive explanation of a specific decision.

state your reasons why

Directly asks for the reasons behind a particular action or decision.

give an explanation of your thinking

Highlights the cognitive process that led to a particular conclusion.

elucidate the basis for your choice

Emphasizes making the foundation of a choice clear and understandable.

describe the principles behind your approach

Focuses on the underlying principles that guided a particular strategy or method.

FAQs

How can I use "explain your rationale" in a sentence?

You can use "explain your rationale" to ask someone to clarify the reasons behind their decision or action. For example, "Can you explain your rationale for choosing this strategy?"

What phrases are similar to "explain your rationale"?

Similar phrases include "justify your reasoning", "clarify your justification", or "outline your reasons". These alternatives focus on different aspects of providing a reason.

When is it appropriate to ask someone to "explain your rationale"?

It's appropriate to ask someone to "explain your rationale" when you need to understand the reasoning behind a decision, especially in situations where transparency and accountability are important.

Is it more formal to say "explain your rationale" or "explain your reasoning"?

"Explain your rationale" and "explain your reasoning" are quite similar in formality. While "rationale" might sound slightly more formal to some, both are suitable for professional contexts. "Explain your reasoning" might be preferred in less formal environments.