main rationale

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "main rationale" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to the primary reason or justification for a decision, action, or belief. Example: "The main rationale behind the new policy is to improve employee productivity and satisfaction."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"The main rationale was not based on intelligence," Feith said.

The New Yorker

Most contacts cite Putin's desire to control the political sphere as his main rationale for returning.

The Guardian

The main rationale for a multimonitor setup is that it increases productivity.

The New York Times - Tech

But overall, the main rationale behind Fayyad's decision seems to be to save his own political skin.

The Guardian - Opinion

The main rationale for naming, he said, is to help raise awareness about the dangers of storms.

The New York Times

In lower-permeability reservoirs the main rationale is similar to oil- stimulation- but with significant adjustments.

Journal of Natural Gas Science and Engineering

The Court's main rationale for stopping the videotaping was to protect activists from the pro-Prop.-8 side who might feel intimidated about testifying on camera.

The New Yorker

That undercut the administration's main rationale for confronting Iran, and left the administration seeking to regain the diplomatic initiative for continued sanctions.

The New York Times

The accord also removes the Republicans' main rationale for blocking Obama's efforts to cut carbon pollution – the claim that China is unwilling to undertake similar cuts.

The Guardian

While the company hopes that the investments will help its own business grow, the main rationale for the investments has been the possibility of high financial returns.

Harvard Business Review

The main rationale for integrating Sales and Marketing is that the two functions have a common goal: the generation of profitable and increasing revenue.

Harvard Business Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "main rationale", ensure it clearly identifies the most important reason, especially in complex arguments or explanations to maintain clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "main rationale" to retroactively justify a decision. Ensure the rationale was the actual reason at the time of the decision, not a post-hoc rationalization.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "main rationale" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as a subject complement or object of a preposition. It identifies the primary justification or underlying reason for a particular action, decision, or belief. Ludwig AI affirms this through numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

51%

Science

37%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

1%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "main rationale" is a frequently used noun phrase that serves to identify the primary justification or underlying reason for a particular action or decision. Ludwig AI confirms it's grammatical correctness. As demonstrated by Ludwig, its usage spans various contexts, including news, science, and academia, with a generally neutral to formal register. While "main rationale" is widely accepted, it's essential to distinguish it from rationalization and ensure it accurately reflects the actual reason behind a decision. Alternatives such as "primary reasoning" or "key motive" can be used to add variety to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

primary reasoning

Focuses on the thought process leading to a conclusion, rather than the justification itself.

principal reason

Emphasizes the importance and ranking of the reason.

chief justification

Highlights that the justification is the most important one.

key motive

Emphasizes the driving force behind an action or decision.

central argument

Highlights the argument's position in a debate or discussion.

core explanation

Focuses on the fundamental explanation.

basic premise

Focuses on the foundation upon which an argument or idea is based.

underlying cause

Points to the fundamental reason or origin of something.

driving force

Emphasizes the impetus or motivation behind an action.

essential grounds

Highlights the foundational and necessary reasons for something.

FAQs

How can I use "main rationale" in a sentence?

Use "main rationale" to introduce the primary justification for a decision or action. For example, "The "main rationale" for the policy change is to improve efficiency".

What is a good alternative to "main rationale"?

Alternatives include "primary reason", "key justification", or "central argument", depending on the specific context.

Is "main rationale" formal or informal?

"Main rationale" is suitable for formal and professional contexts. In informal settings, you might prefer a simpler phrase like "main reason".

What's the difference between "main rationale" and "main reason"?

While similar, "main rationale" often implies a more formal and considered justification, whereas "main reason" is more general and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.