hard to justify

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'hard to justify' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when something is difficult to explain or support using logic or evidence. For example, "The cost of the project was so high that it was hard to justify."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"It was hard to justify.

The New Yorker

It's hard to justify.

Harvard Business Review

The reasoning is hard to justify.

The New York Times

"It's hard to justify financially".

The New York Times

But it's hard to justify".

The New York Times

This sudden turnaround is hard to justify.

The Guardian

This arrangement is hard to justify.

The New York Times

A mandate would be hard to justify.

The Guardian - Opinion

Nancy's worked hard to justify the plot".

The New York Times - Magazine

It is increasingly hard to justify this.

The Guardian - Opinion

"Still, it seems hard to justify".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "hard to justify", consider the audience and provide clear, concise reasons for the difficulty in justifying the subject. For example, instead of saying "The budget is hard to justify", specify "The budget is hard to justify because it allocates excessive funds to non-essential projects".

Common error

Avoid using "hard to justify" as a vague criticism. Always follow with a concrete explanation of why something is difficult to justify, providing specific details and evidence to support your claim.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hard to justify" functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun or situation. It describes the difficulty in providing a valid or reasonable explanation for something. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "hard to justify" is a versatile phrase used to express the difficulty in providing a valid explanation or rationale for something. Ludwig AI affirms its grammatical correctness and usability. With 60 real-world examples from sources like The New York Times and The Guardian, its prevalence is evident. The phrase's neutral register makes it suitable for various writing contexts, particularly in news, business, and academic settings. When using "hard to justify", ensure you provide specific reasons to support your claim and avoid vague generalizations. Consider using alternatives like "difficult to defend" or "tough to rationalize" to add nuance to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

difficult to defend

Emphasizes the challenge in protecting or advocating for something.

tough to rationalize

Focuses on the struggle to find a logical basis for something.

challenging to validate

Highlights the problem of confirming the accuracy or legitimacy of something.

difficult to explain

Stresses the complexity in making something understandable.

hard to legitimize

Highlights the difficulty in making something lawful or acceptable.

untenable

Indicates that a position or situation cannot be defended or maintained.

insupportable

Suggests something cannot be maintained or defended.

scarcely defensible

Emphasizes how little you can defend something.

poorly reasoned

Indicates that there is a low quality reasoning.

not easily supported

Expresses that something is hardly supportable.

FAQs

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

You can use "hard to justify" when something is difficult to explain or support with evidence. For example, "The company's decision to lay off employees was "hard to justify" given its recent profits".

What are some alternatives to saying "hard to justify"?

Alternatives include "difficult to defend", "tough to rationalize", or "challenging to validate", depending on the specific context.

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

Both "hard to justify" and "difficult to justify" are correct and widely used. The choice often comes down to personal preference, as they convey virtually the same meaning. However, keep in mind that "difficult to defend" could come off as more formal.

When is it appropriate to use "hard to justify" in writing?

It's appropriate to use "hard to justify" in situations where something lacks a clear or reasonable explanation or when the reasons supporting it are weak or unconvincing. It can be used in formal and informal contexts, as confirmed by the Ludwig AI.