legitimate plan

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "legitimate plan" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a plan that is valid, reasonable, or acceptable in a given context. Example: "After reviewing all the proposals, we concluded that the most legitimate plan for the project is the one that prioritizes sustainability."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

As I have written elsewhere, before the sound and fury of populism dies down, leaving a hollowed-out middle class, social democratic parties must seize the initiative and present a legitimate plan for policy change that works in the interest of the many, not just the few.

The Guardian - Opinion

Q: Does the fact that a legitimate plan is out there raise the priority of getting a team in LA at all? RG: You know we have so many priorities and we have a lot issues that we are trying to deal with.

The New York Times

If Informix hopes to return its stock to its former glory, the company is going to need to string together a few more positive surprises, and ensure Wall Street that it's got a legitimate plan to survive the next millennium.

Forbes

It would not pass a high school remedial politics course, never mind pass as a legitimate plan in Congress (namely because it is not a plan, it is a statement).

Huffington Post

But Guantanamo remained open because the Bush administration refused to provide a legitimate plan and a legal means to charge and try its detainees, and to relocate them to their respective home countries or to maximum security prisons in the United States.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Jessica argues that the wolf stands for everything she loves in the wild; the man counters that he has legitimate plans to use the wolf — making a rug out of its hide, and so on — and that the wolf wouldn't show her the same mercy she wants to show it.

The New Yorker

It said: "They involve poorly-disguised attacks on the legitimate planning judgements and findings reached".

BBC

The U.S. has had legitimate plans to build a military base on the moon as far back as 1959, when it proposed a venture they dubbed 'Project Horizon.'.

Huffington Post

It's a combination of pretty legitimate planning from day one and a kind of joyful exuberance because basically I've been given this incredible gift the sampler that can turn any noise into music instantly.

Vice

Sometimes these outfits are cleverly-packaged insurance agents who will try to sell you annuities, a sometimes legitimate planning tool but one with major (and often undisclosed) pitfalls.

WikiHow

Mohammad Farooq Qarikhil, a 20-year-old from Chahar Asyab district, told VICE News that he was voting for Ghani because the former finance minister had presented a "legitimate" economic plan.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing initiatives, use "legitimate plan" to emphasize that the strategy has been vetted, is compliant, and ethically sound.

Common error

Avoid using "legitimate plan" when you specifically mean a "legal plan". While a legitimate plan adheres to ethical standards and is generally accepted, a legal plan strictly adheres to the laws and regulations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "legitimate plan" functions as a noun phrase, where "legitimate" modifies the noun "plan". It describes a plan that is considered acceptable, valid, or justified. Ludwig confirms its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

30%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "legitimate plan" describes a strategy or course of action that is considered valid, acceptable, and often ethically sound. While grammatically correct and usable, according to Ludwig AI, it's a relatively rare phrase. It is most often found in news, business, and scientific contexts. When writing, use "legitimate plan" to convey assurance that a strategy has been properly vetted and adheres to established standards. Be careful not to confuse "legitimate" with "legal"; while a plan can be both, "legitimate" focuses on acceptability and ethical validity while "legal" focuses specifically on adherence to the law.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

valid strategy

Replaces "plan" with "strategy", emphasizing a carefully devised approach that holds up under scrutiny.

justifiable proposal

Emphasizes the defensible nature of the "plan", suggesting it's based on sound reasoning and ethics.

acceptable scheme

Focuses on the plan meeting a certain standard of approval or permissibility.

reasonable approach

Highlights the plan's logical and practical nature.

sound course of action

Replaces "plan" with a more general description of following a logical path.

credible design

Emphasizes the plan's believability and trustworthiness.

bona fide arrangement

Uses a more formal tone to indicate a genuine and sincere plan.

authentic project

Highlights the genuine nature of the plan.

permissible course

Highlights the allowable aspect of the plan.

kosher strategy

An informal way to say the plan is above board.

FAQs

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

You can use "legitimate plan" to describe a strategy that is valid, reasonable, or acceptable. For example, "The company presented a "legitimate plan" for reducing its carbon footprint."

What are some alternatives to saying "legitimate plan"?

Alternatives to "legitimate plan" include "valid strategy", "justifiable proposal", or "reasonable approach". The best choice depends on the specific context.

What is the difference between "legitimate plan" and "legal plan"?

While both terms imply adherence to certain standards, "legitimate plan" suggests ethical and practical validity, whereas "legal plan" specifically refers to compliance with laws and regulations. A plan can be "legal" without being "legitimate", and vice versa.

Is there a difference between "legitimate planning" and "legitimate plan"?

"Legitimate planning" refers to the process of creating plans that are considered valid and ethical. A "legitimate plan" is the result of that process—the actual plan itself. Therefore, the former refers to an activity, and the latter to a tangible product.