not justified

USAGE SUMMARY

"not justified" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It means that something is not supported or explained in a reasonable or justifiable manner. Example: The company's decision to lay off employees was not justified, as their profits had actually increased in the past year.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The contention is not justified, and that it is not justified is the necessary deduction of recent cases.

Cornell University

"It's not justified.

The New York Times

It was not justified.

The Guardian - Business

"The discrimination was not justified.

The Guardian

This is simply not justified.

The New York Times

These fears are not justified.

The Guardian - Opinion

Such an assumption is not justified.

Reliability Engineering & System Safety

So were the protests not justified?

The Guardian - Sport

Nobody understood because it was not justified.

The New York Times - Sports

This is not justified in Islam.

The Guardian - Opinion

Cameron says violence is not justified.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "not justified", ensure you clearly articulate why the action, belief, or decision lacks justification. Provide specific reasons or evidence to support your claim.

Common error

Avoid simply stating something is "not justified" without providing context or explanation. This leaves the reader unsure of your reasoning. Always elaborate on why it is not justified.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not justified" functions as a predicate adjective, modifying a noun or pronoun to indicate that something lacks sufficient reason or validation. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Science

30%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

7%

Reference

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "not justified" is a common and grammatically correct way to express that something lacks adequate reason or support. As Ludwig AI highlights, it's used across various contexts, particularly in news, scientific, and academic writing. When using this phrase, ensure you provide specific reasons to support your claim. Alternatives include "unwarranted" and "unfounded", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey. Remember to avoid vague justifications and always elaborate on why something is "not justified". By following these guidelines, you can effectively communicate your disagreement or disapproval in a clear and reasoned manner.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lacking justification

Directly states that something does not have sufficient justification.

unwarranted

Focuses on the lack of necessity or reason for something.

unfounded

Emphasizes the absence of a solid basis or evidence.

not defensible

Highlights that something cannot be reasonably defended or supported.

unsupported

Highlights the lack of backing or proof for a claim or action.

not legitimate

Implies that something does not conform to accepted rules or standards.

unreasonable

Conveys that something is not logical or sensible.

without basis

Indicates a complete lack of foundation or justification.

not permissible

Focuses on the lack of authorization or allowance for something.

not excusable

Highlights that something cannot be forgiven or justified despite possible reasons.

FAQs

How can I use "not justified" in a sentence?

You can use "not justified" to express disagreement or disapproval by stating that something lacks adequate support or reason. For instance: "The company's decision to cut employee benefits is "not justified" given their recent profits."

What are some alternatives to saying "not justified"?

Alternatives to "not justified" include "unwarranted", "unfounded", or "unreasonable". The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "not justified" or "unjustified"?

Both "not justified" and "unjustified" are grammatically correct. However, "not justified" may be preferred when you want to emphasize the lack of justification with specific reasons. "Unjustified" is a more concise and direct way to express the same idea.

What's the difference between "not justified" and "not defensible"?

"Not justified" implies a lack of adequate reason or support, while "not defensible" suggests that something cannot be reasonably defended or argued for. While similar, "not defensible" focuses more on the impossibility of providing a valid defense.