hard to rationalize

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "hard to rationalize" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a situation, decision, or feeling that is difficult to explain or justify logically. Example: "Her sudden change in career paths was hard to rationalize, given her previous commitments."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

For humans, this would qualify as "cruel and unusual punishment," and even if you believe that pigs are somehow "inferior," it's hard to rationalize gestation crates once you see what they look like.

The New York Times

"I own the Amgens, and I have owned some of the genomics companies, but at these levels it gets hard to rationalize any investment," said Larry N. Feinberg of Oracle Partners L.P., a hedge fund.

The New York Times

"It is hard to rationalize why anyone would want to put art in a hospital," said Marty Eisenberg, a Scarsdale art collector and regional vice president of Bed Bath & Beyond, the retail chain co-founded by his father, Warren.

The New York Times

It’s an action movie, and again, it’s hard to rationalize why that couldn’t be released.

Forbes

Now it's hard to rationalize using MOG or Rdio while constantly bombarded with Ticker stories showing that your friends are all on Spotify.

TechCrunch

For example, according to Gesi and Bergenholtz (Gesi & Bergenholtz 2003), when no infection is present, it is hard to rationalize, as it is sometimes advocated that the apical foramen be pierced and root canals be overfilled with so called puffs.

Evidence-Based Endodontics

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

We have often made choices to build longer term value that would have been much harder to rationalize within the constraints of a model that is looking for a quicker, if lesser, return.

The New York Times

It's harder to rationalize spending time, money, and resources on enhancing games that are no longer big sellers.

Vice

Comparison of the same region for Kv1.2 and BK looks like the following – Kv1.2 … D E R D S Q F P… BK …S G D P L D F D… However, these two regions are much harder to align between Shaker and BK and it is harder to rationalize smaller changes in affinity based on this.

eLife

Free will may just be the primary excuse many use to legitimize a contempt for the poor that would exist independent of their professed belief in free will, but free will assertion nonetheless provides the ethical fig leaf for such contempt that would be far harder to rationalize (and therefore tolerate) without the myth of free will.

British Journal of Social Psychology

Over time, that accommodation became more difficult to rationalize.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "hard to rationalize" when you want to express that something defies logical explanation or justification. It is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, providing a nuanced way to convey difficulty in finding a reasonable basis for something.

Common error

Avoid using "hard to rationalize" in situations where a simpler phrase like "difficult to understand" would suffice. The phrase carries a connotation of needing justification, so it's best reserved for situations where explanation or defense is genuinely expected.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hard to rationalize" functions as an infinitive phrase that typically acts as an adjective modifying a noun or pronoun. As Ludwig AI points out, it describes something that is difficult to justify or explain logically, often implying a lack of reason or coherence.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Science

33%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "hard to rationalize" is a versatile expression used to describe situations or decisions that lack logical justification or are difficult to explain. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability across various contexts. While not exceedingly common, it frequently appears in news, media, and scientific sources. Alternatives such as "difficult to justify" or "challenging to comprehend" can be used depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. When using this phrase, ensure that it fits the situation where a lack of justification needs to be highlighted, and avoid overusing it in simple scenarios where basic understanding is the core purpose.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

difficult to justify

Focuses on the lack of acceptable reasons for something.

tough to explain

Highlights the challenge in providing a clear account.

challenging to comprehend

Emphasizes the difficulty in understanding something.

hard to account for

Suggests a lack of explanation for an event or situation.

difficult to make sense of

Focuses on the lack of coherence or intelligibility.

implausible

Highlights the unconvincing nature of something.

scarcely believable

Emphasizes the difficulty in accepting something as true.

untenable

Suggests that a position or argument cannot be defended.

hard to defend

Highlights the difficulty in supporting a particular viewpoint.

lacks justification

Indicates a complete absence of valid reasons.

FAQs

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

You can use "hard to rationalize" to describe actions, decisions, or beliefs that lack a clear or logical explanation. For instance, "It's "hard to rationalize" spending so much money on something you don't need".

What are some alternatives to "hard to rationalize"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "difficult to justify", "tough to explain", or "challenging to comprehend".

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

Both "hard to rationalize" and "difficult to rationalize" are grammatically correct and have similar meanings. The choice often comes down to personal preference, as they are largely interchangeable.

What's the nuance between "hard to rationalize" and "hard to explain"?

"Hard to explain" focuses on the difficulty of providing a clear account, whereas "hard to rationalize" implies that there's a lack of logical justification or reason behind something. Therefore, "hard to explain" is about communication while "hard to rationalize" focuses on justification.