insufficient rationale

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "insufficient rationale" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a lack of adequate reasoning or justification for a decision, argument, or action. Example: "The committee rejected the proposal due to an insufficient rationale for the requested budget increase."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

"There's a danger if the Republican Party is only seen as the party that cuts government spending, because that is a necessary but insufficient rationale for a majority party," he said.

The New York Times

Unclear risk of bias was ascribed in cases where there may be a risk of bias, but there is either: insufficient information to assess whether an important risk of bias exists; or insufficient rationale or evidence that an identified problem will introduce bias.

Cancer Medicine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

"We find the rationale insufficient," said Mr. Flood, one of the church's defenders.

The New York Times

In line with the principles of biomedical ethics, 51 however, this study underscores that this rationale is insufficient to recommend a potentially painful treatment for infants and small children who lack the competence to provide informed consent.

BMJ Open

Category C The off-label use medication has a reasonable therapeutic rationale but here is insufficient evidence to thoroughly allay concerns about its safety, efficacy, and cost-effectiveness for the innovative use, yet it is not considered a clinical research.

European Journal of Clinical Pharmacology

In a dissenting opinion, Justice Stephen G. Breyer characterized the decision as an "oversimplification" of a complex regulatory issue that "gives insufficient weight to the government's regulatory rationale, and too readily assumes the existence of practical alternatives".

The New York Times

Many of the articles reviewed contained insufficient details on the approach used and the rationale for that approach.

BMC Medical Research Methodology

In one strand of the literature, the market failure rationale is considered as a valid although insufficient justification for policy intervention that therefore needs to be complemented by the arguments put forward by the systemic failure rationale.

Research Policy

The first is the market failure rationale, which is considered to be valid although provides insufficient justification for policy intervention.

Triple Helix

The basic rationale has rested on traditional market failure arguments emphasizing insufficient incentives for individual firms to undertake risky and imperfectly appropriable research at the socially optimal level.

Journal of Innovation and Entrepreneurship

The rationale of these conflicting findings is unclear, although an insufficient statistical power in the studies carried out by Gold, [ 26] Schorzman,[ 13] and Houghton [ 28] could explain this in view of the small numbers involved.

BMC Public Health

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When criticizing a decision or proposal, clearly articulate why the "insufficient rationale" is problematic. Provide specific examples or counter-arguments to strengthen your critique.

Common error

Avoid simply stating that the rationale is "insufficient" without explaining how it falls short. Provide concrete details to support your assessment and avoid broad, unsubstantiated claims.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "insufficient rationale" functions as a noun phrase where "insufficient" modifies the noun "rationale". It is used to describe a situation where the reasoning or justification provided is inadequate or lacking. As shown by Ludwig, it indicates a deficiency in the reasoning behind a decision or action.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "insufficient rationale" is used to describe a situation where the reasoning or justification for something is inadequate. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English. It appears most frequently in scientific and news contexts. When using this phrase, ensure you provide clear reasons why the rationale is insufficient to strengthen your argument. Alternatives include "inadequate justification" and "weak reasoning". Avoiding simple statements of insufficiency without further explanation is essential for effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

inadequate justification

Emphasizes the lack of sufficient support or defense for an action or decision.

weak reasoning

Focuses on the flawed or unconvincing nature of the logic used.

unconvincing explanation

Highlights that the provided explanation fails to persuade or satisfy.

poorly supported argument

Indicates that the argument lacks sufficient evidence or reasoning.

flimsy basis

Suggests that the foundation or grounds for something are weak and unreliable.

tenuous justification

Implies that the justification is weak, questionable, or barely sufficient.

unsound logic

Highlights the flawed or invalid reasoning used.

deficient reasoning

Emphasizes that the reasoning is lacking or incomplete.

lacking a sound basis

Points out the absence of a solid or reliable foundation.

unsubstantiated grounds

Highlights that the grounds or reasons are not supported by evidence.

FAQs

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

You can use "insufficient rationale" to express that the reasons or justification provided for something are not adequate or convincing. For example, "The committee rejected the proposal due to an insufficient rationale."

What are some alternatives to "insufficient rationale"?

Some alternatives to "insufficient rationale" include "inadequate justification", "weak reasoning", or "unconvincing explanation".

Is it better to say "insufficient rationale" or "lack of rationale"?

"Insufficient rationale" implies that there is some reasoning present, but it's not good enough. "Lack of rationale" suggests there is no reasoning at all. Choose the phrase that more accurately reflects the situation.

What makes a rationale "insufficient"?

A rationale is considered "insufficient" when it lacks supporting evidence, contains logical flaws, fails to address key concerns, or is simply unpersuasive in the given context.