justifiably so

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "justifiably so" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is justified or warranted, often in response to a previous statement or situation. Example: "The team was frustrated with the delays, and justifiably so, given the lack of communication from management."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

And justifiably so.

The New York Times

She is beloved, and justifiably so.

The New York Times - Books

Camby said: "It's justifiably so.

The New York Times - Sports

He's freaking out — and justifiably so.

The New Yorker

"We had lost that, justifiably so.

The New York Times - Sports

But academics takes a higher place, and justifiably so".

The New York Times

Credit markets remain easily spooked, however, and justifiably so.

The New York Times

And justifiably so: it's all been done before.

The New Yorker

Mr. Harrison would bridle, and justifiably so, at the notion that his work offers life lessons.

The New York Times - Books

And that is the guilt felt, often justifiably so, for killing innocents in war.

The New York Times

If her ruse were discovered, the writer would almost certainly be fired (and justifiably so).

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid overuse; while common, excessive repetition can weaken its impact. Vary your phrasing with alternatives like "understandably so" or "rightfully so" to maintain reader engagement.

Common error

Avoid using "justifiably so" as a mere intensifier without clear justification. The phrase should only be used when there is a legitimate reason or context that supports the statement being made. Ensure the 'so' refers back to a specific reason or action previously mentioned.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "justifiably so" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a preceding clause to indicate that the action, feeling, or situation is warranted or reasonable. Ludwig shows various examples from diverse sources confirming its role in adding justification.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "justifiably so" is a common adverbial phrase used to express that something is warranted or justified. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's grammatically correct and frequently used across various contexts, particularly in news and media. While versatile, it should be used judiciously to avoid weakening its impact through overuse. Alternatives such as "rightfully so" and "understandably so" can provide variety and maintain reader engagement. Its primary function is to validate or endorse a previous statement, adding a layer of justification to the narrative.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Rightfully so

Emphasizes the rightness or moral justification behind a situation.

Understandably so

Highlights the understandable or expected nature of a reaction or situation.

Deservedly so

Focuses on the deserving nature of an outcome or situation.

Fairly so

Indicates that a situation is just and equitable.

Appropriately so

Suggests that something is suitable or fitting in a given context.

Legitimately so

Highlights the lawfulness or validity of a situation.

Reasonably so

Indicates that something is logical or sensible.

With good reason

Highlights the existence of a valid or sufficient cause for something.

Not without reason

Implies there's a clear and understandable cause.

Warranted

Emphasizes that a specific action is justified and appropriate.

FAQs

What does "justifiably so" mean?

"Justifiably so" means that something is justified or warranted under the circumstances. It's used to express agreement or understanding regarding a particular situation or reaction.

How can I use "justifiably so" in a sentence?

Use "justifiably so" to indicate that a preceding statement or situation is reasonable or understandable. For example: "The team was disappointed with the results, and "understandably so" given their hard work."

Are there alternatives to "justifiably so"?

Yes, you can use alternatives like "rightfully so", "understandably so", or "deservedly so" depending on the context.

Is "justifiably so" formal or informal?

"Justifiably so" is appropriate for both formal and informal writing. It's commonly used in news articles, academic papers, and everyday conversations.