inadequate justification

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "inadequate justification" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing reasons or explanations that are insufficient or lacking in support for a particular claim or action. Example: "The committee rejected the proposal due to the inadequate justification provided for the requested budget increase."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

But this is inadequate justification.

SEP

But clearly I am not the only one who finds that inadequate justification for the FCC's behavior.

TechCrunch

Cohen thinks this was an inadequate justification of the moral law.

SEP

Yet I believe that Bartlett was correct in viewing clinical equipoise as an inadequate justification for proceeding with a traditional randomized comparison of ECMO against standard therapy, for at least two reasons.

Critical Care

For most of these women, this stemmed from a belief that their symptoms were not serious enough or there was inadequate justification to "bother the doctor" (OL36, increased wind, age 53).

BMJ Open

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

While these forces need to be recognized, Justice Stevens is right that they are "woefully inadequate justifications" for a penalty that is a brutal anachronism.

The New York Times

The ad agency has advised its client to enter the energy drink market late, with inadequate economic justification.

Harvard Business Review

Actually, what sends the wrong signal is going to war with a phony justification, inadequate troop levels, insufficient armor, an inept Defense secretary and an inability to admit for years, deadly ones, that you needed counterinsurgency experts.

The New York Times

However, such justification is inadequate for open consent to succeed.

Life Sciences, Society and Policy

However, this justification of inadequate services needs questioning if real improvements to Indigenous health outcomes are to be achieved.

BMC Health Services Research

We also agree that the Village's proffered justifications are inadequate and that the ordinance cannot survive scrutiny under the First Amendment.

Cornell University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "inadequate justification" when you want to express that the reasons provided are not sufficient to support a claim or action.

Common error

Avoid simply stating "inadequate justification" without explaining the specific weaknesses or flaws in the reasoning. Without further elaboration, the critique remains vague and less impactful.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "inadequate justification" primarily functions as a noun phrase acting as the object of a verb or preposition, signifying a deficiency in the provided reasons or support. According to Ludwig, it is correct and can be used to address the shortage of validation or proof.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

30%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "inadequate justification" is a grammatically sound and widely recognized expression used to denote that the provided reasons or supporting evidence for a claim or action are insufficient or unconvincing. As Ludwig confirms, it is a correct and usable phrase in written English. While found across various contexts, it is more prevalent in scientific, news, and formal business settings. When employing this phrase, providing specific reasons why the justification is inadequate strengthens the critique. Related phrases include "insufficient rationale" and "weak reasoning", offering alternative ways to express a similar meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

insufficient rationale

Emphasizes the lack of a sound or logical basis.

weak rationale

Highlights the feebleness or unconvincing nature of the supporting reasons.

poor reasoning

Focuses on the flawed logic or thought process behind the explanation.

flimsy basis

Implies the foundation or support for the claim is weak and easily challenged.

unconvincing explanation

Stresses that the offered explanation fails to persuade or satisfy.

tenuous grounds

Suggests that the reasons given are uncertain or unreliable.

deficient reasoning

Highlights a lack of essential qualities needed for a solid reason.

unsatisfactory grounds

Indicates that the reasons are not good enough or acceptable.

faulty logic

Emphasizes the presence of errors or flaws in the reasoning process.

unsubstantiated claim

Highlights that the claim lacks supporting evidence and is thus, inadequately justified.

FAQs

What does "inadequate justification" mean?

The phrase "inadequate justification" describes a situation where the reasons or evidence provided to support a claim, action, or decision are insufficient, unconvincing, or lacking in some essential aspect.

How can I use "inadequate justification" in a sentence?

You can use "inadequate justification" to express disapproval or criticism of weak reasoning, such as, "The proposal was rejected due to the "inadequate justification" provided for the budget increase."

What are some alternatives to "inadequate justification"?

Some alternatives to "inadequate justification" include "insufficient rationale", "weak reasoning", or "poor justification". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "inadequate justification" formal or informal?

"Inadequate justification" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, although in highly formal or academic writing, alternatives like "insufficient rationale" might be preferred.