legitimately so

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "legitimately so" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to affirm that something is valid or justified in a legitimate manner. Example: "His concerns about the project were legitimately so, given the recent changes in the company's policy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

And legitimately so.

The Guardian - Opinion

"And maybe legitimately so".

The New York Times - Sports

It's a policy issue, and it may be a perception issue — legitimately so".

The New York Times

"We are going to be strong again really, legitimately, so great again," Trump said.

The New Yorker

That United were rattled, mentally as well as at times physically – legitimately so – was beyond question.

The Guardian - Sport

The death of Mr. Diallo outraged millions of New Yorkers, and legitimately so.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

And while it's a fun parlor game to sit around and pontificate about how Google's reign might be over or how slow GMail loads, the reality is that no other company could compete legitimately on so many different battlefronts against so many different competitors.

TechCrunch

A country may legitimately do so to fuel power stations.

The Economist

Audiences eager to laugh along with the City Opera's "Love of Three Oranges" can legitimately do so.

The New York Times - Arts

An adult could legitimately ask, "So where is the game in this game?" You begin by making a person.

The New York Times - Arts

Apple will be livestreaming the event, either online at its website or using a special Apple TV app — but users can only (legitimately) do so using Apple products.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "legitimately so" to concisely affirm the validity or justification of a statement, particularly when the legitimacy might be questioned or require emphasis.

Common error

Avoid using "legitimately so" in very casual conversations or informal writing, as it can sound overly formal or stilted in those settings. Opt for simpler phrases like "that's fair" or "makes sense" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "legitimately so" functions as an adverbial phrase. It modifies a preceding statement, indicating that it is valid, justified, or in accordance with accepted standards. As Ludwig AI states, it is grammatically correct and usable. For instance, "The death of Mr. Diallo outraged millions of New Yorkers, and "legitimately so"."

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

90%

Science

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "legitimately so" is a useful adverbial phrase for affirming the validity or justification of a statement. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and commonly used, particularly in news and media contexts. While suitable for neutral to formal settings, it should be used sparingly in casual conversation. Alternatives such as "justifiably so" or "understandably so" can provide similar meaning with slightly different emphasis. Remembering these points ensures correct and effective usage of the phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

justifiably so

Replaces "legitimately" with "justifiably", emphasizing the fairness or moral rightness of the situation.

understandably so

Indicates that the situation or reaction is easy to comprehend or sympathize with.

rightfully so

Suggests that the situation is in accordance with what is deserved or morally correct.

with good reason

Indicates that there is a valid and justifiable basis for the situation or action.

appropriately so

Suggests that the response or action is suitable and fitting for the circumstances.

deservedly so

Emphasizes that the outcome or situation is warranted based on merit or past actions.

validly so

Focuses on the logical correctness and factual accuracy of the situation.

justified in doing so

Indicates that someone has a legitimate reason or basis for taking a particular action.

with justification

Highlights the presence of a valid and defensible reason for the situation.

for good cause

Implies that there is a sufficient and valid reason or basis for the situation.

FAQs

How can I use "legitimately so" in a sentence?

Use "legitimately so" to affirm that something is valid or justified. For example: "His concerns were "legitimately so", given the recent changes".

What's a simpler alternative to "legitimately so"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "justifiably so", "understandably so", or "rightfully so".

Is "legitimately so" formal or informal?

"Legitimately so" leans towards the formal side. It's suitable for news articles, academic papers, and professional communication. In very casual conversations, simpler phrases may be more appropriate.

What's the difference between "legitimately so" and "understandably so"?

"Legitimately so" emphasizes the validity or lawfulness, while "understandably so" indicates that something is easily comprehended or expected, given the circumstances. The choice depends on whether you want to highlight justification or comprehensibility.