formulate a justification

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "formulate a justification" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you need to create or develop a rationale or reasoning for a particular decision, action, or belief. Example: "In order to proceed with the project, we must first formulate a justification for the budget increase."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

At this last stage of the small group work phase, the groups formulate a justification for action that both elucidates the normative processes that have led them to their conclusion; and present an argument as to how and why they have rejected and would deal with alternative possible normative positions.

BMC Medical Ethics

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

It turns out that in unpublished papers, he formulated a bizarre justification of extramarital sexual contact.

The New York Times

He formulates a new justification for democratic politics and an innovative account of the nature of political argument.

Yale University

Although subjective interpretations and justifications might be discursive, this paper tries to formulate a consistent system of justifications of taste and will show how the set of justifications can be used for understanding the consumer culture of contemporary China.

The Journal of Chinese Sociology

Moreover, theorists like Jane Bennett and David Abram, who hold the view that nonhuman forces and inorganic materials have vital (or living) agency, must also formulate a response; Vogel demands better justifications or any significant evidence in order for these new materialist views to be anything more than "narcissistic fantasy" (173).

Johns Hopkins University

The concept of catharsis that comes to us from Aristotle's Poetics also was formulated as a justification for publicly staging tragedies that recall and incite anguish so to identify what must be purged from the body and mind to promote the health of the individual and the society.

Huffington Post

Modal logic was used to formulate a more perspicacious version of the ontological argument, Bayesian models of probability breathed new life into inductive justifications of religious belief, rational choice theory ushered Pascal's wager once again onto the philosophical stage, and language-game analysis offered a prima facie justification of religious language.

SEP

It could never formulate a plan.

The New Yorker

Torino struggled to formulate a response.

The Guardian - Sport

"But they tried to formulate a case".

The New York Times

This appealing novel sets itself a challenge: formulate a plot about formulating plots.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the audience when you "formulate a justification". A technical audience may require a more detailed and complex justification than a general audience.

Common error

Avoid using overly complex language or convoluted reasoning when you "formulate a justification". Clarity and directness can make your justification more persuasive and easier to understand.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "formulate a justification" primarily functions as a verb phrase used to describe the action of creating or developing a reason or rationale for something. Ludwig indicates that it is used to create a reasoning for a decision, action, or belief.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

30%

News & Media

30%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "formulate a justification" is a grammatically correct and usable expression in written English, used to describe the act of creating or developing a rationale for a decision, action, or belief. Ludwig's analysis confirms its validity and provides examples of its use in diverse contexts. While not extremely common, the phrase finds relevance across various domains, especially in science, news media, and academic writing. When using this phrase, clarity and logical soundness are key to ensuring an effective justification. Alternative phrases such as "develop a rationale" or "construct an argument" may be used to convey a similar meaning, depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

formulate a rationale

Focuses on giving logical reasons, often used in a formal context.

develop a rationale

Emphasizes the process of creating a logical basis, often used in formal contexts.

develop a reasoned argument

Emphasizes careful and logical construction of an argument.

construct an argument

Focuses on building a persuasive case, suitable for debates or legal settings.

create a defense

Highlights the act of justifying an action or decision, especially when facing criticism.

devise an explanation

Centers on the act of explaining complex situations or phenomena.

provide a reason

Offers a general explanation or cause for something, less formal than "justification".

establish a basis

Stresses the importance of creating a foundation, suitable for building theories or strategies.

frame an excuse

Implies finding a way out of trouble, less rigorous than a true justification.

contrive a justification

Suggests inventing or fabricating a justification, possibly implying a lack of genuine reason.

FAQs

How can I effectively "formulate a justification" in an essay?

To effectively "formulate a justification" in an essay, start by clearly stating your claim, then provide evidence and reasoning that supports it. Consider addressing counterarguments to strengthen your justification.

What are some alternatives to "formulate a justification"?

You can use alternatives like "develop a rationale", "construct an argument", or "provide a reason" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to "formulate a justification" before or after taking action?

Ideally, you should "formulate a justification" before taking action to ensure that your actions are ethical and well-reasoned. However, sometimes you may need to retrospectively justify actions taken in unforeseen circumstances.

What makes a "justification" strong versus weak?

A strong "justification" is supported by credible evidence, logical reasoning, and addresses potential counterarguments. A weak justification lacks evidence, relies on fallacies, or ignores opposing viewpoints.