legitimate action

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "legitimate action" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to an action that is lawful, justified, or acceptable within a certain context. Example: "The committee decided that the proposed changes were a legitimate action to improve community safety."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

"Resistance for us is a legitimate action.

The New Yorker

He said he would take "merciless legitimate action against any force bent on destabilising the area".

Independent

They always put out statements saying that they really support peaceful and legitimate action, but they don't in practice.

The Guardian

Grant Thornton International issued a statement noting that it had expelled the Italian affiliate and saying it "does not accept that this is a legitimate action" by Parmalat.

The New York Times

This appears to have been a legitimate action, because eBay is not suing for breach of the stockholders agreement or otherwise asserting that this failure was wrongful.

The New York Times

If you want to see legitimate action that could make a significant difference in the crisis, look at the Food and Drug Administration.

The Washington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

"There is a substantial difference between such deliberate attacks against civilians and children and unintentional strikes against civilians that are part of legitimate actions to fight terrorism.

The New York Times

Was the conflict merely about a minority ethnic drive at securing provincial advantages in distributional matters, or the legitimate actions of a local community aimed at preserving its environment and livelihood?

Stanford University

"Israeli forces continue to do their utmost to ensure that their legitimate actions against terror inflict the barest minimum of harm on the civilian population," the Israeli mission said.

The New York Times

The results of a survey reveal that top managers of firms reflecting a flexibility dominant type tend to use more performance measures and to use PMS to focus organizational attention, support strategic decision-making and legitimate actions to a greater extent than top managers of firms reflecting a control dominant type.

Accounting, Organizations and Society

"The contents of the film undermine national security because legitimate actions of the security agencies to protect the national security and stability of Singapore are presented in a distorted way as acts that victimised innocent individuals," the Media Development Authority said in a statement.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing "legitimate action" provide specifics. Instead of just saying 'The company took legitimate action' say 'The company took legitimate action by filing a lawsuit to protect its intellectual property'.

Common error

Avoid using "legitimate action" as a vague justification without providing context. Always clarify what makes the action legitimate to avoid ambiguity or misinterpretation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "legitimate action" functions as a noun phrase, where "legitimate" is an adjective modifying the noun "action". It describes an action that is considered justifiable, lawful, or acceptable. Ludwig AI confirms its appropriate usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

29%

Encyclopedias

6%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Academia

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "legitimate action" is a noun phrase used to describe actions considered justifiable or lawful. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and common usage across diverse contexts. It frequently appears in News & Media and Science, reflecting its role in objective reporting and academic discussions. When writing, remember to clarify the basis of legitimacy. Related phrases like "justifiable measure" or "valid step" can offer nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

valid step

Indicates that the action is well-founded and logically sound, suitable for achieving a particular outcome.

justifiable measure

Emphasizes the defensible nature of the action taken, implying a need for justification.

defensible act

Similar to justifiable measure, but with a broader scope, applying to actions that can be morally or legally defended.

lawful conduct

Replaces "action" with a more formal term, focusing on adherence to the law.

warranted response

Highlights that the action is a justified reaction to a particular situation, implying a cause-and-effect relationship.

permissible activity

Highlights that the action is allowed or authorized by rules or regulations.

allowable deed

A slightly less formal alternative, suggesting that the action is within acceptable bounds.

authorized procedure

Focuses on the official approval and established nature of the action.

appropriate behavior

Shifts the focus to the suitability of the action in a given situation, suggesting it aligns with expected norms.

sanctioned operation

Implies official approval and endorsement of the action, often used in a more formal or bureaucratic context.

FAQs

How can I use "legitimate action" in a sentence?

You can use "legitimate action" to describe a justifiable or lawful deed. For example, "The government considered the military intervention a "legitimate action" to protect its citizens."

What are some alternatives to saying "legitimate action"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "justifiable measure", "valid step", or "lawful conduct".

Is "legitimate actions" grammatically correct?

Yes, "legitimate actions" is the plural form of "legitimate action" and is grammatically correct when referring to multiple instances of justifiable or lawful deeds.

What's the difference between "legitimate action" and "legal action"?

"Legitimate action" implies justifiability and lawfulness, while "legal action" specifically refers to actions that are permissible by law. A "legitimate action" may be morally or ethically sound, even if not strictly mandated by law.