insufficient reason

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "insufficient reason" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where you are discussing a lack of justification or rationale for a particular action or belief. Example: "The committee found that there was insufficient reason to approve the proposed changes to the policy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

36 human-written examples

Of itself, however, that is insufficient reason to cry foul.

The Economist

And while the placebo effect can be beneficial, that is insufficient reason to routinely deprive patients of pertinent facts.

The New York Times - Magazine

Just because we have the ability to use new technology is a wholly insufficient reason to implement it.

The Guardian - Opinion

If the agency decides there is insufficient reason for concern, it can simply close the evaluation without additional action.

The New York Times

Robert M. Ferrito, the board president, declared Tuesday, "We determined there was insufficient reason to take any action regarding the superintendent".

The New York Times

A US opinion pollster, Alex Evans, said the boom was insufficient reason for the elite, comprising 5% of the population, to support the incumbent.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

21 human-written examples

Here, one encounters claims of "hunting tradition" and economic benefits, which are insufficient reasons to kill animals.

The Guardian - Opinion

Women were required to apply to an abortion commission and could be denied for a host of reasons — if they were past 12 weeks' gestation, presented "false or insufficient" reasons or had had an abortion too recently.

The New York Times - Magazine

If reviewers deemed the CHAT assessment insufficient, reasons for a requirement to attend preoperative clinic rather than rely on the CHAT assessment alone were requested of all reviewing anaesthetists.

BMC Anesthesiology

"She's failed to establish factually why she can't comply," he said; her sincerely held beliefs were "simply … insufficient" as reason to disobey the order.

The Guardian

We find this a non-precautionary and insufficient scientific reason for simply foregoing the expenditure of testing, and perhaps even more importantly, possibly finding potential adverse effects, and thus, being able to prevent them.

Environmental Sciences Europe

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "insufficient reason", ensure you clearly articulate why the reason is lacking or inadequate. Providing specific examples or counterarguments strengthens your point.

Common error

Avoid simply stating that something is an "insufficient reason" without explaining why. Vague assertions weaken your argument. Always provide context and elaboration.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "insufficient reason" functions primarily as a noun phrase acting as a subject complement or object of a verb. It's used to describe a situation where a given explanation or justification is deemed inadequate. Ludwig examples confirm this usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

36%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Wiki

4%

Academia

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "insufficient reason" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase to denote a lack of adequate justification or rationale. Ludwig AI confirms its appropriate usage across diverse contexts, from news and media to scientific literature. While seemingly straightforward, using the phrase effectively involves providing clear explanations as to why the reason is insufficient. Related alternatives include phrases like "inadequate justification" and "weak rationale", offering nuances in formality and emphasis. By following best practices and avoiding common pitfalls, writers can leverage "insufficient reason" to construct well-supported and persuasive arguments.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

inadequate justification

Replaces "reason" with "justification", emphasizing the lack of a valid excuse.

poor justification

Simply replaces "insufficient" with "poor", indicating a low quality of justification.

weak rationale

Substitutes "insufficient" with "weak" and "reason" with "rationale", highlighting the feebleness of the explanation.

scant justification

Emphasizes the minimal amount of justification provided.

unconvincing argument

Focuses on the persuasive power of the reason, implying it fails to convince.

unsatisfactory basis

Indicates that the reason does not meet the required standard or expectation.

flimsy excuse

Conveys the idea that the reason given is weak and easily challenged.

tenuous grounds

Replaces "reason" with "grounds", suggesting the basis for something is weak and uncertain.

untenable premise

Focuses on the foundation of the argument, suggesting it is not defensible.

lame explanation

An informal way to describe a reason that is unpersuasive and weak.

FAQs

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

You can use "insufficient reason" to express that a particular justification or rationale is inadequate or unconvincing. For example, "The judge ruled that the evidence provided was "insufficient reason" to proceed with the trial."

What's a formal alternative to "insufficient reason"?

A more formal alternative to "insufficient reason" is "inadequate justification". This phrase is suitable for academic or professional contexts where precision is important.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "insufficient reason"?

The phrase "insufficient reason" is appropriate when you need to convey that a given explanation, excuse, or motive is not strong enough or does not hold up under scrutiny. It's often used in legal, academic, and professional settings.

What is the difference between "insufficient reason" and "weak rationale"?

While both phrases suggest a lack of adequate support, "insufficient reason" generally implies a complete lack of validity, whereas "weak rationale" suggests the reason exists but is not very strong or persuasive.