is only justifiable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is only justifiable" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the conditions or reasons under which something can be deemed acceptable or reasonable. Example: "The decision to raise prices is only justifiable if it is accompanied by an improvement in product quality."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

Inaction is only justifiable if we're certain that the bad outcome won't happen.

The Guardian

The name is only justifiable in case of talking about movement when you consider it relative to another one.

The Guardian

Critics say that it is only justifiable for the government to monitor emails, texts, phone calls and online browsing history if a particular individual is suspected of criminality or has committed a crime.

The Guardian - Tech

But the idea that art is only justifiable or worthwhile if it has been paid for by oneself or put out to tender is insidious, especially when it's being espoused by the artists themselves.

The Guardian - Opinion

I must apologize straight away for ALKALIN, which is certainly not in Chambers, and is only justifiable as a bona fide word from its appearance in the OED as an obsolete 17th-century alternative spelling, and from the fact that, according to the Internet, it is an acceptable word in ®Scrabble – I've no idea why.

The Guardian

Implementation of trial results is only justifiable when the results can be generalized to the total domain population.

Journal of Clinical Epidemiology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

Such sky-high valuations are only justifiable in a low-interest, steady-growth environment.

Forbes

Such discrimination was only justifiable when necessary to a compelling governmental interest.

Wikipedia

"This (convoy) is only possible, only justifiable, if the Red Cross authorizes it," he told France Info Radio.

Huffington Post

Liver transplantation is the treatment of choice, but because this is only clearly justifiable in patients who would otherwise die, criteria for determining such patients have been established.

BMC Gastroenterology

This week, the murder they're reading about even if it's only a justifiable homicide is that of News of the World itself.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "is only justifiable", clearly state the conditions that make it justifiable to avoid ambiguity. For example, "The price increase is only justifiable if it leads to significant improvements in service."

Common error

Avoid using "is only justifiable" without providing sufficient context or reasons. A common mistake is to assume the audience understands the justification without explicitly stating it, leading to confusion or disagreement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is only justifiable" functions as a predicate adjective, modifying a subject by asserting a condition under which it is acceptable. As Ludwig AI confirms, it conveys a specific limitation or condition for something to be considered right or appropriate. It's common to find this structure used to set boundaries or prerequisites for approval.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

44%

News & Media

34%

Encyclopedias

13%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "is only justifiable" is a phrase used to express conditional acceptability, emphasizing that something is right or appropriate only under specific conditions. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's grammatically correct and commonly used across various fields, particularly in science and news. When employing this phrase, be sure to clearly articulate the conditions to avoid ambiguity. Related phrases, like "is solely justifiable" or "is conditionally justifiable", can add further emphasis to the limitations involved. By understanding the context and usage patterns, you can effectively communicate the boundaries of justification.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is solely justifiable

Replaces "only" with "solely", emphasizing the exclusivity of the conditions under which something is justified.

is exclusively justifiable

Substitutes "only" with "exclusively", further highlighting that justification is limited to specific instances.

is conditionally justifiable

Replaces "only justifiable" with "conditionally justifiable", explicitly stating that justification depends on certain conditions.

is justifiable in specific cases

Rephrases the sentence to emphasize that justification is limited to particular situations.

is permissible only when

Changes the structure to focus on permission rather than justification, but maintains the limitation to specific conditions.

is acceptable only if

Similar to "permissible only when", this emphasizes acceptance under specific conditions.

is warranted only when

Replaces "justifiable" with "warranted", indicating that an action is only appropriate under certain circumstances.

is defensible only under

Focuses on the defensibility of an action, limiting it to specific conditions.

can be justified only if

Changes the phrasing to highlight the possibility of justification, but still restricts it to specific conditions.

is legitimate only when

Replaces "justifiable" with "legitimate", focusing on the lawfulness or appropriateness under specific conditions.

FAQs

How can I use "is only justifiable" in a sentence?

Use "is only justifiable" to express that something is acceptable or reasonable under specific conditions. For example, "The intervention "is justifiable only if" no other less coercive interventions are available."

What phrases are similar to "is only justifiable"?

Alternatives include "is solely justifiable", "is conditionally justifiable", or "is warranted only when", each emphasizing limited acceptability.

Is it better to use "is only justifiable" or "is justifiable"?

Using "is only justifiable" emphasizes that the justification is limited to specific circumstances. "Is justifiable" is a broader statement that something is generally acceptable. The choice depends on whether you need to highlight the conditional nature of the justification.

What does "is only justifiable" mean in a legal context?

In a legal context, "is only justifiable" means that an action or decision is legally permissible or excusable, but only under very specific and limited circumstances. For instance, the use of force "is justifiable only if" it is in self-defense.