lacks justification

USAGE SUMMARY

"lacks justification" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when someone has done something without providing a valid reason or explanation. For example, "The professor's decision to give everyone an A on the final exam lacks justification."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

In a word, he lacks justification.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Second, the premise is false if the actual world (or nearest possible one) contains a confounding realization of the Gettier story a realization in which the subject has knowledge that p or lacks justification for believing that p. If so, then Gettier's case is not really a counterexample to the JTB theory.

SEP

At times, the information presented is not clear and lacks justification.

F1000Research

However, there are areas which can be further strengthened: At times, the information presented is not clear and lacks justification.

F1000Research

The McCormack et al (2012) conclusion that mesothelioma occurring in chrysotile-exposed cohorts is due to other asbestos types lacks justification, as it is based on lung-burden analysis alone.

British Journal of Cancer

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

In Mr. Grasso's lawsuit, his lawyers assert that "Mr. Reed's and the stock exchange's campaign of disparagement lacked justification and that the Webb report did not provide a compelling basis for proceeding against Mr. Grasso".

The New York Times

Such a proposal lacked justification.

Artificial Intelligence

It follows that, according to the convergence view, those liberal commitments will lack justification.

SEP

Rosenberg and coworkers caused an uproar in the immunotherapy community when they stated in a position paper that despite great advances in the field of tumour immunology, optimism about the clinical application of therapeutic vaccines lacked justification.

European Journal of Cancer

The fact that our beliefs cohere can establish their truth, even though each individual belief may lack justification entirely if considered in splendid isolation, or so it is thought.

SEP

It is not just that we lack justification for accepting a general hypothesis as true only on the basis of positive instances and lack of counterinstances (which was the old problem), or to define what rule we are using when accepting a general hypothesis as true on these grounds (which was the problem after Hume).

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "lacks justification" when critiquing arguments, decisions, or actions that seem arbitrary or unsupported by evidence. This phrase adds a formal tone to your critique.

Common error

While "lacks justification" is a valid and useful phrase, avoid using it in overly informal settings. Simpler phrases like "doesn't make sense" or "is not right" may be more appropriate for casual conversations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lacks justification" functions as a predicate, indicating that a subject is deficient in valid reasoning, support, or basis. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage. Examples show it being used to critique arguments, decisions, and actions.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

37%

Encyclopedias

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "lacks justification" is a grammatically correct phrase used to express that something is without valid reason or support. Ludwig AI validates its correct usage in written English. It's most frequently found in scientific, news, and encyclopedic contexts, indicating its formal and objective tone. While the phrase is useful for critiquing arguments or decisions, it's best to avoid it in informal settings where simpler language is more appropriate. Alternatives like "is unsupported" or "is without warrant" can be used depending on the specific context. Overall, understanding the nuances of "lacks justification" helps in crafting precise and impactful critiques.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is not justified

A direct and simple way of saying there is no valid justification.

is without warrant

This alternative suggests the action or belief has no valid basis or authorization.

is unwarranted

This alternative signifies that something is not justified or authorized.

is unsupported

This suggests the idea or action has no evidence or backing.

is groundless

This indicates that the claim or action has no foundation or reason.

is unfounded

Similar to "groundless", this implies a lack of factual basis.

is without basis

Indicates the absence of a fundamental reason or support.

is untenable

This alternative indicates that a position or argument cannot be defended or maintained.

is indefensible

Suggests that the action or belief cannot be justified or defended.

is not well-reasoned

Focuses on the deficiency of logical thought behind the claim or action.

FAQs

How can I use "lacks justification" in a sentence?

You can use "lacks justification" to indicate that something is without a valid reason or support. For example, "The professor's decision to cancel the class "lacks justification" because he did not provide a valid excuse."

What are some alternatives to "lacks justification"?

Alternatives include "is unsupported", "is without warrant", or "is unfounded". The best choice depends on the specific context in which you are using the phrase. You can use alternatives like "is without warrant", "is unsupported", or "is unfounded".

Is it better to say "lacks justification" or "is not justified"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct and convey a similar meaning. "Lacks justification" has a slightly more formal tone, while "is not justified" is more direct. Choose the phrase that best suits the overall tone of your writing.

In what contexts should I use "lacks justification"?

Use "lacks justification" in formal or academic writing, when you need to express that something is without a valid reason or support. In more informal contexts, consider using simpler alternatives.