justify with

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "justify with" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it when you are attempting to explain why something happened, or to explain the reason behind an action. For example: "He felt he needed to leave the company and justify with his need for a more rewarding job."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

At times the plan has been hard to justify, with the deficit proving granitic and inflation too high.

The Economist

At the same time, Syria's status as Lebanon's puppeteer has just become harder to justify with the Israeli occupation over.

The New York Times

It would have been hard to justify with inflation so low (and it would also rule out low interest rates and fiscal stimulus now).

The Economist

And in these times, no board would dare to ask for one dollar more than it could justify with hard numbers — numbers the boards won't have until Albany acts.

The New York Times

Unless we think of it as a prelude to greater changes, all we achieve is shifting patterns of inequality - which we will justify with the pretence that everybody had an equal chance of "getting on".

The Guardian - Opinion

TalkTalk would be a very pricey acquisition, for a structurally higher churning customer base and with far fewer synergy opportunities than Vodafone was able to justify with its Kabel Deutschland acquisition in Germany.

The Guardian - Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

(The passions were then justified with jokes about how he was from New Jersey).

The New Yorker

Such a plan cannot be justified with claims of security needs or overcrowding".

The New York Times

Anyway, I know I have a tendency to gush, but I honestly think it's justified with Cold Mountain.

The Guardian - Film

Mr. Jones had a more casual look: untucked short sleeve shirt with flip-flops, which he justified with the heat.

The New York Times

"We believed she was justified with all the things she went through over the years," she said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "justify with" when you want to provide a clear rationale or reason for a decision, action, or belief. Ensure the reason is explicitly linked to what you are justifying.

Common error

Avoid using "justify with" when merely explaining something without intending to defend or provide a rationale. Explanation focuses on clarity; justification focuses on defending a position.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "justify with" serves as a verb phrase functioning to provide a reason or basis for an action, decision, or belief. It indicates an attempt to demonstrate why something is considered valid, acceptable, or reasonable. Ludwig AI shows examples from various contexts where this phrase is used to provide explanations or defenses.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

17%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "justify with" is a commonly used and grammatically correct way to express the act of providing a rationale or reason for something. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is used in various contexts, particularly in news, media, and scientific domains. When writing, use "justify with" when you aim to defend or explain a decision, action, or belief by explicitly linking it to a particular reason. Be mindful not to confuse justification with mere explanation, as justification requires a defense while explanation focuses on clarity. Remember that the phrase, while acceptable in most contexts, leans towards a more neutral or professional register. You can also consider alternatives like "prove with", "defend with", or "rationalize with" to add nuance to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

prove with

Focuses on demonstrating truth or validity, shifting the emphasis from justification to evidence.

defend with

Suggests protecting something from criticism, whereas "justify with" focuses on explaining the reason behind it.

demonstrate with

Implies showing how something works or is done, not necessarily providing a reason or excuse.

explain with

Offers clarification, but might not provide sufficient grounds for acceptance or approval.

rationalize with

Often implies finding reasons after the fact, sometimes with a negative connotation of self-deception.

motivate with

Highlights the driving force or incentive behind an action, instead of giving a reason.

support with

Indicates providing backing or confirmation, which may be distinct from justification.

validate with

Focuses on confirming the correctness or legitimacy, rather than explaining the reason.

ground with

Suggests basing something on a foundation or principle, shifting the focus from defending to establishing.

warrant with

Implies authorization or permission which is slightly different than providing reasons.

FAQs

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

You can use "justify with" to explain or defend an action, decision, or belief by providing a reason or rationale. For example, "The company had to justify the price increase with rising production costs."

What are some alternatives to "justify with"?

Alternatives to "justify with" include "prove with", "defend with", or "explain with", depending on the context. Each alternative has a slightly different nuance.

Is there a difference between "justify with" and "explain with"?

"Justify with" implies providing a reason to defend or show the rightness of something, while "explain with" simply means to clarify or make something understandable. Justification involves defense; explanation involves clarity.

Which is more formal, "justify with" or "rationalize with"?

"Justify with" is generally more neutral and formal, while "rationalize with" can sometimes imply finding reasons after the fact, possibly to excuse or downplay something negative.