legitimate criterion for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "legitimate criterion for" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a valid standard or principle that is used to evaluate or judge something. Example: "The researchers established a legitimate criterion for assessing the effectiveness of the new treatment."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

The obvious complication is that emotion is subjective: people love their dogs more than they love pigs because they just do, and if you count this love as a legitimate criterion for distributing ethical concern, dogs will win every time.

The New York Times - Books

In comparison, there are 500,000 invention patents granted every year in the U.S. The requirements for "utility-model patents" are so mundane that they are not even recognized in the U.S. as a legitimate criterion for the existence of intellectual property.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Some may be wrong because they are 'unnatural' — and, again, Bentham would dismiss this as a legitimate criterion.

SEP

Humans are indeed apes, the third species of chimpanzee by any legitimate criterion used in evolutionary biology.

Biology Direct

Medical schools must use legitimate criteria to discriminate between applicants and make an unequivocal offer/reject decision about each applicant.

BMC Medical Education

With the use of A1C as a legitimate alternative diagnostic criterion for pre-diabetes, the need for a follow-up OGTT before prescribing metformin may become a point of contention.

Diabetes Care

As such, GLP represents a legitimate selection or weighting criterion for data used in regulatory decision making.

Environmental Health Perspectives

In our approach, mediation combines (i) a set of fair properties (legitimate principles); and (ii) a criterion for delimiting the admissible manners of distributing the endowment, that is determined by the mediator expressing the two (dual) points of view to face such problems: awards and losses.

SERIEs

These scream political agenda, not the criterion for which the 501(c)(4) tax-exempt label is legitimate; that criterion is "social welfare".

The New York Times

However, Freidson disagrees with the attribute approach, arguing instead that "the only truly important and uniform criterion for distinguishing professions from other occupations is the fact of autonomy a position of legitimate control over work" (Freidson 1970a, 82).

The Journal of Chinese Sociology

For example, some critics contend that in failing to provide any ethical criterion for the selection of basic goals or ends, economic rationality fails to discriminate between legitimate and illegitimate pursuits on the part of individuals.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "legitimate criterion for", ensure that the context clearly establishes whose legitimacy is being invoked (e.g., legal, ethical, professional) to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "legitimate criterion for" without specifying the domain of legitimacy. For example, instead of saying "cost is a legitimate criterion for selection", specify "cost-effectiveness is a legitimate criterion for project selection from a business perspective."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "legitimate criterion for" functions as a noun phrase modifier. It identifies a specific type of criterion (a standard or principle) that is considered valid or acceptable within a given context. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically sound and used in formal discourse.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "legitimate criterion for" denotes a valid and acceptable standard used in evaluation or decision-making. As Ludwig AI confirms, its grammatical structure is correct, appearing primarily in news and scientific contexts. While less frequent overall, using this phrase effectively involves ensuring clarity about the source of legitimacy. Alternatives include "valid basis for" or "acceptable standard for", each offering nuanced variations. Remember to specify the context of legitimacy to avoid ambiguity, ensuring a well-supported and convincing argument.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

valid basis for

Changes the word "criterion" to "basis", implying a foundational reason.

acceptable standard for

Replaces "legitimate criterion" with "acceptable standard", focusing on what is generally agreed upon.

valid measure for

Substitutes "criterion" with "measure", highlighting a way of quantifying or assessing something.

justifiable reason for

Replaces "criterion" with "reason", shifting the focus to the rationale behind something.

proper justification for

Emphasizes the correctness of the reason or basis.

suitable benchmark for

Uses "benchmark" to suggest a standard against which others are measured.

appropriate rationale for

Focuses on the reasoning behind a decision or action.

sound principle for

Highlights the underlying rule or belief that makes something valid.

defensible rationale for

Indicates that the rationale can be supported or defended.

tenable premise for

Emphasizes the idea of an assumption that can be maintained or defended.

FAQs

How can I use "legitimate criterion for" in a sentence?

You can use "legitimate criterion for" to describe a valid standard or principle used to make a judgment or decision. For instance: "The researchers established a "legitimate criterion for" assessing the effectiveness of the new treatment."

What are some alternatives to "legitimate criterion for"?

Alternatives include "valid basis for", "acceptable standard for", or "justifiable reason for", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What makes a criterion "legitimate"?

A criterion is considered "legitimate" when it is based on established rules, laws, or widely accepted principles. It implies that the standard is fair, reasonable, and justifiable within a particular context.

Is "legitimate reason for" interchangeable with "legitimate criterion for"?

While both phrases involve legitimacy, "legitimate reason for" typically refers to a valid cause or explanation, whereas "legitimate criterion for" indicates a valid standard or measure. They are not always interchangeable.