justifications which

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "justifications which" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when introducing a clause that provides further explanation or detail about the justifications being referred to. Example: "The report included several justifications which supported the proposed changes to the policy."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

In fighting against having to divulge more about its extraordinary lending during the crisis, the central bank wrapped its arguments in legal justifications, which Mr. Alvarez oversees.

The New York Times

Realization of implicit knowledge modalities in \(\mathsf{S4LP}\) by explicit justifications which would respect the epistemic structure remains a major challenge in this area.

SEP

This literature considers the epistemology of these experiments: what we can learn by simulation, and also the kinds of justifications which can be given in applying that knowledge to the "real" world.

SEP

The former can be signalled by various in-turn design features such as assertions of ownership, possessive pronouns and a range of justifications which point to various ownership rights.

Journal of Pragmatics

In the absence of clear evidence and information, it fabricates scenarios, reasons and justifications, which attempt to explain current reality.

Huffington Post

He did so without any legal justifications, which caused a court ruling against him; a ruling that was however never enforced.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

The conflicting self-justifications which have emerged from last week's public squabble between them - another squalid chapter in a sordid story - are most illuminating.

The Guardian

But, most disturbing, is her ultimate justification which borders on zealotry.

The New York Times

It's a totally sane and rational justification, which – today at least – is Chrissie Hynde all over.

The Guardian - Music

The other justification, which doesn't get mentioned in polite company, is market power -- the ability to restrict the choices of consumers and charge them higher prices.

The New York Times

(In the terminology of John Jost, a psychology professor at NYU, conservatives have a stronger affinity for "system justification", which contributes to stances such as global-warming denialism).

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "justifications which", ensure the "which" clause provides essential information that clarifies or limits the scope of the justifications being discussed. This helps maintain precision and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "that" instead of "which" when the clause provides additional, nonessential information. "Which" is preferred in nonrestrictive clauses set off by commas, as in "The report included several "justifications which", supported the proposed changes to the policy."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "justifications which" functions as a relative clause introducing further details or explanations about the preceding noun, "justifications". It helps to elaborate on the nature, purpose, or scope of the justifications being presented, as shown by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

58%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "justifications which" is a grammatically correct and usable way to introduce a relative clause that provides additional details about justifications. While not extremely common, its use is generally appropriate in formal and neutral registers, particularly in contexts such as science, news media, and business. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and offers examples that illustrate its proper usage. When writing, remember to ensure the "which" clause adds essential clarity and avoid misusing "that" in its place. Consider alternatives like "reasons that" or "arguments that" for simpler phrasing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

justifications that

Simply replaces the relative pronoun "which" with "that".

reasons that

Replaces "justifications" with "reasons" and "which" with "that", offering a simpler and more direct phrasing.

explanations that

Substitutes "justifications" with "explanations", emphasizing the act of clarifying or elucidating.

reasons for which

Replaces "justifications" with "reasons" and restructures the sentence to use "for which" instead of "which" alone.

arguments that

Replaces "justifications" with "arguments", focusing on the persuasive aspect of the reasons provided.

grounds that

Substitutes "justifications" with "grounds", highlighting the basis or foundation for a belief or action.

rationale that

Replaces "justifications" with "rationale", emphasizing the underlying logic or reasoning.

bases upon which

Emphasizes the foundation or support for something, using a more formal and slightly archaic tone.

excuses that

Substitutes "justifications" with "excuses", which can imply a weaker or more dubious set of reasons.

defenses that

Replaces "justifications" with "defenses", which suggests a response to criticism or accusations.

FAQs

What's the difference between "justifications which" and "justifications that"?

"Justifications which" is typically used to introduce a nonrestrictive clause, providing additional information about the justifications. "Justifications that" is used to introduce a restrictive clause, essential for defining which justifications are being discussed. Using "justifications that" implies the clause is essential to understanding which justifications are being referenced.

Is "justifications which" formal or informal?

"Justifications which" leans towards formal writing. In less formal contexts, simpler alternatives like "reasons that" or "explanations that" might be more appropriate.

Can I use "justifications which" at the beginning of a sentence?

No, "justifications which" cannot start a sentence. It needs a preceding noun or noun phrase that it modifies. For example, "The company presented several justifications which...".

What are some alternatives to using "justifications which" in academic writing?

In academic writing, consider alternatives like "reasons for which", "grounds on which", or specifying the type of justification, such as "theoretical underpinnings" or "empirical support".