for a legitimate

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "for a legitimate" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a valid or lawful reason, purpose, or justification for an action or situation. Example: "The company must provide evidence for a legitimate business need before approving the request."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

James might have been praying for a legitimate big man.

The New York Times - Sports

The quest for a legitimate, or fair, deal drives many of our decisions in negotiations.

Harvard University

Gallup passes the press's tests for a "legitimate" poll, which Rasmussen fails.

The Guardian - Opinion

"We've been looking for a legitimate way to make money from our library," Mr. Mosko said.

The New York Times - Tech

But because of her prison record, Raya's search for a legitimate job is fruitless.

The New York Times

The term "for a legitimate purpose" was open to interpretation, she added.

The New York Times

But the military council said it would not act as a substitute for a "legitimate" government.

The Guardian

If detention is for a legitimate non-punitive and essentially administrative purpose, it will be valid.

The Guardian

Still, Mr. Karzai defended the grand council as the best hope for a legitimate government here.

The New York Times

But playing for a legitimate contender, Carter could add a new label to that list: winner.

The New York Times

Many kettles appear to ignore the requirement that they be imposed for a legitimate purpose.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "for a legitimate", ensure the context clearly defines what constitutes 'legitimate' in that situation. Specificity enhances clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "for a legitimate" without providing context. For example, instead of saying "He claimed it was for a legitimate purpose", specify what that purpose was to avoid vagueness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "for a legitimate" functions as a prepositional phrase, often modifying a noun or verb to specify the reason, purpose, or justification for an action or state. As noted by Ludwig, it's a correct and usable phrase in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

29%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "for a legitimate" is a common and grammatically sound prepositional phrase used to justify or explain actions or situations. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correct and usable in written English. Its frequency is high, especially in news, science and academia. When employing this phrase, clarity is key; specifying what constitutes 'legitimate' in the given context enhances understanding. While alternatives like "for a valid" or "for a lawful" exist, the choice depends on the specific nuance required. Ultimately, "for a legitimate" serves to establish credibility and provide a rationale that is considered valid and acceptable in diverse contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

for a valid

Replaces "legitimate" with "valid", emphasizing the soundness and correctness of something.

for a lawful

Substitutes "legitimate" with "lawful", focusing on adherence to legal standards.

for a justifiable

Replaces "legitimate" with "justifiable", highlighting the defensible and reasonable nature of something.

for a reasonable

Substitutes "legitimate" with "reasonable", focusing on the acceptability and logical basis of something.

for an acceptable

Replaces "legitimate" with "acceptable", emphasizing the suitability and approval of something.

for a genuine

Substitutes "legitimate" with "genuine", highlighting the authenticity and realness of something.

for a real

Replaces "legitimate" with "real", emphasizing the factual and true nature of something.

for a proper

Substitutes "legitimate" with "proper", highlighting the correctness and appropriateness of something.

for a recognized

Replaces "legitimate" with "recognized", focusing on the acknowledged and validated nature of something.

for a sanctioned

Substitutes "legitimate" with "sanctioned", emphasizing the authorized and approved nature of something.

FAQs

How can I use "for a legitimate" in a sentence?

The phrase "for a legitimate" is used to describe a valid or justifiable reason, purpose, or basis for something. Example: "The company requires documentation "for a legitimate business need" before approving travel expenses."

What are some alternatives to "for a legitimate"?

Alternatives to "for a legitimate" include "for a valid", "for a lawful", or "for a justifiable reason", depending on the context.

Is it better to say "for a legitimate reason" or "for a valid reason"?

Both "for a legitimate reason" and "for a valid reason" are grammatically correct and largely interchangeable. "Legitimate" often implies something that is recognized or officially sanctioned, while "valid" suggests something that is sound or well-founded. The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What does "for a legitimate purpose" mean in legal contexts?

In legal contexts, "for a legitimate purpose" typically refers to an action or activity that is permitted by law or conforms to accepted legal standards. It signifies that the action is not intended to deceive, defraud, or violate any legal regulations. Example: "The data was collected "for a legitimate research purpose", adhering to all privacy laws."