his rationale

USAGE SUMMARY

"his rationale" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to refer to someone's reasoning behind a decision or opinion. For example, "John refused to take part in the project and explained his rationale for making this choice."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

His rationale is weak.

The New York Times

But he explained his rationale.

The New York Times - Sports

"Steve gave me his rationale.

The New York Times - Sports

I didn't entirely believe his rationale.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

His rationale and results, though, are questionable.

The Guardian

If this is his objective, his rationale cannot be disputed.

The Economist

His rationale is that Myanmar is moving towards democracy.

The Economist

His rationale for competing against a war hero is dubious.

The Economist

His rationale made perfect sense, to him at least.

The New York Times

But after ending the show his rationale became more complicated.

The New York Times

Last weekend, Mr. Sullivan prepared the document, explaining his rationale.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "his rationale", ensure it clearly connects to the decision, action, or belief it explains. Ambiguity can weaken the impact of your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "his rationale" when the reasoning is already clear from the context. Redundancy can make your writing seem less concise and impactful.

Linguistic Context

His rationale functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It refers to the set of reasons or the logical basis behind a person's decision, action, or belief. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Wiki

1%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "his rationale" is a grammatically correct and frequently used noun phrase that serves to explain or justify someone's reasoning behind a decision or action. As Ludwig AI states, it’s a usable phrase in written English. It is commonly found in news and media, but also appears in scientific and formal business contexts, lending it a neutral to formal tone. When using "his rationale", ensure that it directly and clearly relates to the decision or action it explains and avoid redundancy. Alternatives such as ""his reasoning"" or ""his justification"" can be used depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

his reasoning

Focuses on the mental process of forming conclusions or judgments.

his justification

Highlights the act of proving something to be right or reasonable.

the reason behind his actions

Focuses on the causal link between the reason and the actions taken.

the justification for his decision

Emphasizes the act of defending or showing the decision to be right or reasonable.

his line of reasoning

Highlights the structured thought process he followed.

his explanation

This is a more general term for providing details or reasons.

the basis of his argument

Refers to the fundamental principles or facts supporting his argument.

the grounds for his belief

Refers to the foundation or basis on which his belief is held.

the why behind his choice

Simple and direct way to ask for the reasons influencing a choice.

his motives

Implies a deeper, perhaps hidden, reason for his actions.

FAQs

How can I use "his rationale" in a sentence?

You can use "his rationale" to explain the reasoning behind a person's action or decision. For example, "He defended his position, clearly outlining his rationale".

What are some alternatives to "his rationale"?

Alternatives include "his reasoning", "his justification", or "the basis for his argument". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it ever incorrect to use the phrase "his rationale"?

While grammatically correct, using "his rationale" might be redundant if the reason is already evident. In such cases, consider simpler alternatives or restructuring the sentence.

What is the difference between "his rationale" and "his motive"?

"His rationale" refers to the logical explanation or justification for something, while "his motive" refers to the underlying reason or intention, which may not always be openly stated. Often "his motives" could be hidden, unlike his rationale.