legitimate reason for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "legitimate reason for" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing a valid justification or explanation for a particular action or decision. Example: "There must be a legitimate reason for the delay in the project timeline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

There is no "legitimate reason" for this.

The New York Times

Is there any legitimate reason for taking the dietary supplement?

Harvard University

There is simply no legitimate reason for these conditionalities today.

The Guardian - Opinion

There is no legitimate reason for this situation.

The New Yorker

Murphy said that, in the case of Simmons, there was no legitimate reason for detaining him.

The New Yorker

There's no legitimate reason for me not to be operating at full speed".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

On this occasion, at least, there was legitimate reason for stress.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

This has been cited in the guidelines as a legitimate reason for non-standard management of older women (SIGN, 1998; NWBG, 1999).

British Journal of Cancer

There's a legitimate reason for this particular change, however.

The New York Times

Not a single "Romo hater" has a legitimate reason for their position in my opinion.

HuffPost

Fry's men had legitimate reason for concern.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "legitimate reason for", ensure that the reason you are presenting is supported by facts or evidence to strengthen your argument.

Common error

Avoid simply stating that there is a "legitimate reason for" something without clearly explaining what that reason is. Always provide context and details to support your claim.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "legitimate reason for" functions primarily as a prepositional phrase, introducing a noun or noun phrase that specifies the valid justification or explanation for a preceding statement or situation. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Academia

12%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Science

8%

Formal & Business

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "legitimate reason for" is a versatile and grammatically sound phrase, frequently employed across various contexts to introduce a valid justification. As Ludwig AI confirms, it sees widespread use. Predominantly found in News & Media, it also appears in Academic, Scientific, and Business writing, demonstrating its broad applicability. When using this phrase, ensure the reason provided is well-supported with evidence and specifics. Alternatives such as "valid reason for" or "justifiable reason for" can add nuance to your writing. Remember that a claim must always be accompanied by a reason.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

justifiable reason for

Replaces "legitimate" with "justifiable", implying that the reason can be defended as right or fair.

valid reason for

Substitutes "legitimate" with "valid", suggesting the reason is sound and well-founded.

genuine reason for

Replaces "legitimate" with "genuine", indicating that the reason is authentic and sincere.

acceptable reason for

Substitutes "legitimate" with "acceptable", suggesting the reason is satisfactory or allowable.

appropriate reason for

Replaces "legitimate" with "appropriate", indicating that the reason is suitable or fitting for the situation.

sound reason for

Substitutes "legitimate" with "sound", implying the reason is logical and well-supported.

reasonable cause for

Replaces "reason" with "cause", which changes the structure slightly but maintains the core meaning of a valid basis.

justified basis for

Substitutes both "legitimate" and "reason" to convey a similar sentiment of having a supported foundation.

good explanation for

Shifts focus to the explanation rather than the reason itself, implying a valid justification.

warranted justification for

Uses more formal terms to convey that there is a valid defense or excuse.

FAQs

What are some alternatives to saying "legitimate reason for"?

You can use alternatives like "valid reason for", "justifiable reason for", or "genuine reason for" depending on the context.

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

Use "legitimate reason for" to introduce a valid justification or explanation for an action or decision. For example: "There is a legitimate reason for the project's delay."

Is it redundant to say "valid and legitimate reason for"?

Yes, using both "valid" and "legitimate" can be redundant since they share similar meanings. Choose the word that best fits the tone and context of your writing.

What is the difference between "legitimate reason for" and "excuse for"?

"Legitimate reason for" implies a genuine and justifiable cause, while "excuse for" often suggests a less convincing or even fabricated explanation.