justify to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "justify to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when explaining or providing reasons for an action or decision to someone else. Example: "I need to justify to my manager why we should invest in this new software."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

It seems robust but not enough to justify to that'.

Independent

It's just impossible for them to justify to themselves, and it's impossible for you and your paper to justify to your readers".

The New York Times

But it would make the deal difficult to justify to stockholders.

The New York Times

Still, a substantially higher bid isn't easy to justify to its shareholders.

The New York Times

Rising income inequality, the titans said, was hard to justify to the have-nots.

The New York Times

"I tried to justify to him that it wasn't cheating because he did the test himself".

The New York Times

I could justify to my mother her having to work full time in the store again".

The New York Times - Books

Or maybe these men could somehow justify to themselves having murdered but not raped.

The New York Times - Magazine

"I can't justify to my taxpayers running all the way to Mississippi to chase someone".

The New York Times

"How do you justify to yourself the existence of the camps?

The Guardian

"I don't have to justify to anybody but my wife, and she's O.K. with it".

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Vary your language: instead of always using "justify to", try "explain to" or "account for" to avoid repetition and add nuance to your writing.

Common error

Avoid phrasing like "it needs to be justified to me", which can sound weak. Instead, use the active voice: "you need to justify it to me".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "justify to" primarily functions as a verb phrase indicating the act of providing reasons or explanations to make something seem reasonable or acceptable to someone. Ludwig examples illustrate its use in contexts where accountability and persuasion are key.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

22%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "justify to" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression, as supported by Ludwig's analysis of numerous examples from reputable sources. Its purpose is to provide explanations or reasons to convince someone of the validity or appropriateness of something. As Ludwig AI confirms, while suitable for various contexts, from news and media to science and business, it's essential to consider the clarity and strength of your argument when using this phrase. Alternatives like "explain to" or "account for" can add nuance, while avoiding passive voice constructions will make your writing more impactful.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

explain to

Offers a clear and understandable account of something to someone.

give reasons to

Offers specific causes, explanations or justifications to a person.

prove to

Focuses on demonstrating the truth or validity of something to someone.

demonstrate to

Similar to "prove to", but can also involve showing how something works.

account for

Provides reasons or a justification for something, often related to actions or decisions.

rationalize to

Implies finding a logical or acceptable reason for something, often to defend it.

defend to

Implies protecting or supporting a viewpoint or action against criticism.

convince someone of

Highlights the act of persuading someone to believe something.

persuade someone about

Focuses on influencing someone's opinion or action through reasoning.

vindicate to

Clears someone of blame or suspicion in the eyes of another.

FAQs

What does "justify to" mean?

The phrase "justify to" means to provide reasons or explanations that prove something is right or reasonable to someone. It emphasizes the act of making something acceptable or defensible in the eyes of another person.

How can I use "justify to" in a sentence?

You can use "justify to" when you need to explain or defend an action, decision, or belief to someone. For example, "I need to "explain to" my boss why this project is over budget."

What are some alternatives to "justify to"?

Alternatives include phrases like "explain to", "account for", "prove to", or "rationalize to". The best alternative depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is "justify to" formal or informal?

"Justify to" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, as long as the sentence structure and tone align with the overall communication style. As Ludwig AI points out, it's common in news, business, and scientific writing.