justifies

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "justifies" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the reasoning or rationale behind a decision, action, or belief. Example: "The evidence presented in the report justifies the need for immediate action to address the issue."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"I know part of Christian faith is forgiveness but another part of Christian faith is calling people to be their best selves... whether that justifies what has apparently been done is open to profound questions".

The Guardian

Of course, none of that justifies state intervention by itself, but a powerful economic argument can be made.

The Guardian - Opinion

"So I think this is a story about something which rightly justifies huge fear in west Africa, but should not be turned into a UK scare.

The Guardian - Opinion

Perhaps Talbot's passion is a part of what really justifies the MSC because it preserves lifestyles and protects the spirit of places.

The Guardian

The guilty verdict also justifies their decision to hand over the memo – a note that would have emerged in response to a police keyword search, and handed over after the publisher concluded there was no source protection involved.

The Guardian

Where mainstream politicians have collided with issues such as GamerGate – which promotes and justifies the violent harassment of women in the computer games industry – there are always "policy" answers: you can outlaw online harassment, refocus police priorities to protect the victims, etc.

The Guardian - Opinion

And in Boyle's programmes, you get that not only in his jokes, but also played straight, in a sequence where he justifies his abstention policy.

The Guardian

The government argued in Strasbourg that this section not only justifies but even requires the release of a prisoner whose continued detention cannot be justified on legitimate grounds of punishment, reform or retribution.

The Guardian

It's a commendably even-handed satire, counterbalancing corrupt and scheming businessmen with equally self-interested unions – personified by Peter Sellers' workshy Bolshevik leader: "We do not and cannot accept the principle that incompetence justifies dismissal".

The Guardian - Film

The progression of Falkirk's youngsters justifies boardroom faith.

The Guardian - Sport

Much consideration has been given to the backstory of John Wizards – the story of how bedroom programmer John Withers (see what happens when you take the cloak off!) bumped into Rwandan refugee Emmanuel Nzaramba in Cape Town and the pair began making music together, producing a record that justifies the word "magical".

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "justifies", ensure that the reason or rationale provided is logically sound and directly relevant to the action or decision being justified. Overusing it can weaken your argument; consider alternative expressions for variety.

Common error

Avoid using "justifies" to rationalize unethical behavior or decisions. While it may explain the reasoning, it doesn't make the action morally acceptable. Use it when there is a clear and defensible rationale, not to excuse wrongdoing.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "justifies" is a verb. It indicates that something provides a valid reason or excuse for an action or decision, turning it into acceptable. Ludwig's examples show it used in diverse sentences, reinforcing its role as a verb of reason or validation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "justifies" functions as a verb to validate or provide a reasonable explanation for an action, decision, or belief. Ludwig AI indicates that it is grammatically correct and commonly used. It frequently appears in news and media, formal business contexts, and scientific literature, maintaining a neutral tone. The related phrases, such as "warrants" and "validates", offer similar meanings with slight variations in emphasis. When writing, ensure the justification is logically sound and avoids rationalizing unethical behavior. Ludwig's examples highlight its widespread application and semantic depth, making it a versatile and reliable term.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

validates

Emphasizes the confirmation or substantiation of something, making it officially recognized.

legitimizes

Focuses on making something acceptable or legal, often in a social or political context.

warrants

Indicates that something is officially permitted or necessitated, focusing on authorization.

substantiates

Highlights the provision of evidence to support a claim or argument.

vindicated

Indicates being cleared of blame or suspicion, focusing on exoneration.

rationalizes

Focuses on providing a seemingly logical but not necessarily true explanation, often for questionable behavior.

supports

Indicates providing assistance or backing, often in the form of evidence or resources.

explains

Offers a reason or cause for something, focusing on providing understanding.

motivates

Focuses on the reason behind an action, highlighting the underlying cause or incentive.

gives reason for

A more descriptive phrase that emphasizes providing a rationale or explanation.

FAQs

How can I use "justifies" in a sentence?

Use "justifies" to show that something provides a good reason for an action or belief. For instance, "The data justifies the investment in new equipment".

What are some alternatives to "justifies"?

You can use alternatives like "warrants", "validates", or "supports" depending on the context.

Which is correct: "justifies the action" or "justifies to do the action"?

"Justifies the action" is correct. The verb "justify" typically takes a direct object. The phrase "justifies doing" can be correct in different constructions, "That justifies doing this".

What's the difference between "justifies" and "explains"?

"Justifies" implies providing a reason to show something is right or reasonable, while "explains" simply provides a cause or understanding, without necessarily defending the action. The act of explaining is about how, while justifying is about why.