legitimate rationale for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "legitimate rationale for" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing a valid or justifiable reason for a particular action or decision. Example: "The committee provided a legitimate rationale for the proposed changes to the policy, emphasizing the need for improved efficiency."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

If the state lacks a legitimate rationale for imposing on Americans a heterosexual definition of marriage, it seems pretty likely that it likewise lacks a legitimate rationale for imposing on Americans a monogamous definition of marriage.

The Economist

Thus did Blunt swat away the one legitimate rationale for forcing Petraeus from his job because of his affair.

The New York Times

"Many loyal Muslims," he writes, believe that the September 11th attacks "justified the American assault and have given it a legitimate rationale for reoccupying the Islamic world".

The New Yorker

It also implies, through the seeking of clarification, that there might be some legitimate rationale for criminalising your own citizens because of their sexual or gender identity.

The Guardian

The free expression of contrary and dissenting opinion is not a legitimate rationale for internment, despite vague and clichéd state concerns for national security.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"Our concern is that the guidance has been deliberately drafted to put charities off speaking out even when they have a legitimate rationale for expressing their views on the referendum," he said.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

He insists that Iraq be seen as the Bush Administration's mistake, not America's, and that in the future, when there is a legitimate rationale to act in America's interest "with respect for the American people, with an openness, with truth, with legitimate cause and intelligence," then "Americans will follow the truth and respond to the real needs of our country".

The New Yorker

The court reaffirmed that finding in 2003, while also reaffirming that diversity was a legitimate rationale.

The New York Times

Richard A. Bilotti, head media analyst at Morgan Stanley, said: "There is no legitimate business rationale for a stand-alone broadcast network news group.

The New York Times

All of these are legitimate rationales, but each would require a different U.S. military and diplomatic strategy.

The New York Times

Some of those lines of argument are legitimate, but I have a different rationale for thinking Gawker shouldn't have removed the Sargent post from the site.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "legitimate rationale for" when you want to convey that a reason or justification is not only valid but also adheres to accepted standards and principles. Ensure the context supports the claim of legitimacy.

Common error

Avoid using "legitimate rationale for" in every instance where a reason is presented. Overuse can make your writing sound repetitive and stilted. Vary your language by using synonyms like "valid justification", "sound reason", or "defensible basis" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "legitimate rationale for" functions as a noun phrase that introduces or identifies a valid and justifiable reason or basis for a particular action, decision, or belief. It often serves to explain or defend a position, as shown in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Science

22%

Encyclopedias

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

12%

Reference

5%

Wiki

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "legitimate rationale for" denotes a valid and justifiable reason, often used in formal contexts such as news, academic writing, and professional communications. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and notes its purpose in providing credible explanations. While useful, vary your language to avoid overuse and maintain clarity. Alternatives like "valid justification for" or "sound reason for" offer similar meanings with slight shifts in emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

valid justification for

Replaces "rationale" with "justification", emphasizing the act of proving something to be right or reasonable.

sound reason for

Uses simpler vocabulary, making it slightly less formal than the original phrase.

valid grounds for

Substitutes "rationale" with "grounds", focusing on the basis or foundation for an action or belief.

justifiable cause for

Emphasizes the fairness and moral correctness of the reason.

defensible basis for

Highlights the ability to defend or support the reason against criticism.

acceptable explanation for

Focuses on the reason being understandable and agreeable, even if not ideal.

reasonable grounds for

Similar to "valid grounds for" but stresses the logical and sensible nature of the reason.

good reason for

A more general and less formal alternative, suitable for everyday conversation.

well-founded justification for

Emphasizes that the justification is strongly supported by evidence or logic.

reasoned basis for

Highlights that the basis is the result of careful thought and logical reasoning.

FAQs

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

You can use "legitimate rationale for" to introduce a valid and justifiable reason. For example: "The company provided a "legitimate rationale for" the price increase, citing rising production costs".

What can I say instead of "legitimate rationale for"?

You can use alternatives like "valid justification for", "sound reason for", or "defensible basis for" depending on the specific context.

What distinguishes a "legitimate rationale for" from a simple "reason for"?

While "reason for" simply indicates a cause or explanation, "legitimate rationale for" implies that the reason is not only valid but also justifiable and conforms to accepted standards or principles. Legitimacy adds a layer of ethical or legal approval.

Is "legitimate rationale for" formal or informal?

The phrase "legitimate rationale for" leans towards the formal side. For more informal contexts, you might consider using phrases like "good reason for" or "valid excuse for".