justify your decision

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "justify your decision" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when asking someone to explain the reasoning behind a choice or conclusion they have made. Example: "Before we proceed, I would like you to justify your decision to select this particular vendor over the others."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

Thus, I cannot justify your decision".

The New York Times

By doing so, you open yourself to harsh criticism; you're asked to justify your decision to change anything when you're not committing to change everything.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Please justify your decision with two arguments!

Empirical Research in Vocational Education and Training

Asked about Hamilton's remarks that he is looking forward to the opportunity of building Mercedes into a team that wins regularly, Whitmarsh said: "You have to justify your decision.

BBC

Katie Kirchner, a senior and middle school teacher in Southeast Washington, D.C., said "You absolutely have to justify your decision today to me and to everyone else in this room, but more importantly to my students, and to members of the D.C. community who are on the frontlines of climate change".

Huffington Post

Please explain or justify your decision.

F1000Research

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

Part of this exercise is to help you understand the importance of trying to justify your decisions as you make them.

WikiHow

If you are a chairperson in the position of being able to influence a meeting's outcome through direct voting or taking the final decision on meeting items, then your having noted everyone's views and summarization becomes even more important as a means by which you justify your decisions.

WikiHow

Having to justify your hourly decisions isn't a frame I want to be measured by".

The New York Times

The more time you spend around people like you, of course, the less often you are compelled to ask tough questions of yourself and to justify your own decisions and values.

The New Yorker

The "five second rule" - the urban food myth, ever-justifying your decision to eat a dropped tasty treat – does exist, according to two NASA engineers.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When asking someone to "justify your decision", ensure you are open to understanding their perspective, even if you disagree. The goal should be to gain insight, not to initiate conflict.

Common error

Avoid using "justify your decision" in a tone that implies you already believe the decision was wrong. This can create defensiveness and hinder productive dialogue.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "justify your decision" functions as an imperative, urging the listener to provide a rationale or defense for a choice they have made. Ludwig's examples show it used in contexts where accountability or explanation is needed.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

30%

Science

30%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "justify your decision" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase that prompts someone to provide reasons for a choice. Ludwig AI indicates that it is most commonly found in news, wiki and scientific contexts, carrying a neutral yet inquisitive tone. When using this phrase, be mindful of your tone and ensure you are open to understanding the other person's perspective. Alternatives include "explain your reasoning" or "provide your rationale". As a request for accountability, the phrase is applicable across diverse situations, making it essential to maintain respect and clarity while using it.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Explain your reasoning

Focuses on the thought process behind the decision.

Provide your rationale

Similar to 'explain your reasoning', but slightly more formal.

Elaborate on your choice

Asks for a more detailed explanation.

Give reasons for your decision

Directly requests the reasons behind the choice.

Account for your decision

More formal and implies a need to answer for the decision.

Defend your decision

Implies that the decision is being challenged and needs to be supported with arguments.

State the grounds for your decision

Formal and legalistic, emphasizing the foundation of the decision.

Offer an explanation for your decision

Requests a justification or clarification of the decision.

Clarify your decision-making process

Emphasizes the step-by-step approach that led to the choice.

Detail your decision's logic

Requests an explanation of the logical steps that support the decision.

FAQs

What does "justify your decision" mean?

To "justify your decision" means to provide reasons or evidence to support the validity or correctness of a choice you've made. It involves explaining the rationale behind the decision.

When is it appropriate to ask someone to "justify your decision"?

It's appropriate to ask someone to "justify your decision" when clarity is needed, when the decision affects others, or when accountability is important. However, it should be done respectfully and with a genuine desire to understand their reasoning.

What can I say instead of "justify your decision"?

You can use alternatives like "explain your reasoning", "provide your rationale", or "elaborate on your choice" depending on the context.

Is it always necessary to "justify your decision"?

No, it is not always necessary. If the decision is personal and does not impact others, there might not be a need to justify it. However, in professional or collaborative settings, providing a justification is often expected.