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Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
personal rationale
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The phrase "personal rationale" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing an individual's reasoning or justification for a particular belief, decision, or action. Example: "In her essay, she explained her personal rationale for choosing to pursue a career in environmental science."
✓ Grammatically correct
News & Media
Science
Alternative expressions(20)
personal motive
individual reason
personal requirement
personal understanding
individual premise
underlying belief
personal conviction
personal philosophy
personal belief
personal supposition
private conviction
personal reason
personal starting point
underlying assumption
personal requirements
personal premise
personal reasons
personal premises
personal hypothesis
personal assumption
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
1 human-written examples
When we asked O'Leary how he could possibly sign off on more and more plant licenses, he offered his personal rationale: Things would leak before they broke.
News & Media
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
58 human-written examples
"The Matchmaker," which garnered several awards in Israel (where it was titled "Once I Was"), probably owes part of its success to the director's knack for sketching characters' personal rationales and considerable emotional burdens without letting any one of them commandeer the film's tone.
News & Media
Likewise, documenting personal design rationale helps users remember why somebody made certain design decisions and helps to communicate that rationale to others.
Similarly, six respondents reported that they altered their personal objectives and rationale for teaching in general (not for a specific course) as a result of their involvement in the USE project.
Education and training efforts should focus on key areas, such as recognizing the clinical manifestations of SARS, appropriate use of infection control practices and personal protective equipment, rationale and practical guidance for implementing isolation and quarantine, and appropriate use and interpretation of laboratory diagnostic tests.
Science
The most personal of the rationales belonged to Eli Horowitz, an editor of the literary anthology "The Future Dictionary of America," who complained, "I had to read it a few times, and I resent that".
News & Media
O'Neill's strongest weapons in the battle were his political skills and the depth of his personal commitment to the rationale for government assistance to the needy.
News & Media
In the 1980s, the then Conservative government introduced personal pensions, using a similar rationale of bringing freedom to workers, but created a notorious mis-selling scandal.One potential justification for liberalisation is that the freedom will encourage workers to save more for retirement.
News & Media
Nonetheless, I hope that I am able to expand upon the understanding of God that I present in this article in a way that will be meaningful and work to explain not merely my own personal beliefs but also my rationale for ascribing to religious practices that might otherwise seem counter-intuitive for an individual who believes in an impersonal God.
News & Media
This will include detailed information about the rationale, design and personal implications of the study.
Science
Somewhere in this evolution the justification for a liberal arts degree as the best way to prepare for rewarding professional and personal life no longer dominated the rationale on why to seek a college diploma.
News & Media
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
When using "personal rationale", ensure that the context clearly indicates whose reasoning you are referring to, to avoid ambiguity.
Common error
While acceptable, avoid overusing "personal rationale" in highly formal documents. Simpler terms like "reason" or "justification" may be more appropriate.
Source & Trust
87%
Authority and reliability
4.1/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "personal rationale" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It refers to the reasoning or justification an individual has for a particular belief, action, or decision. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is correct and usable in written English.
Frequent in
News & Media
45%
Science
35%
Formal & Business
10%
Less common in
Encyclopedias
5%
Wiki
3%
Academia
2%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
In summary, "personal rationale" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase that explains an individual's reasons or justifications for a belief, decision, or action. Ludwig confirms its validity and usability. While suitable for various contexts, it's important to consider the specific audience and adjust the formality as needed. Alternative phrases such as "personal justification" or "individual reasoning" can be used depending on the context. While generally acceptable, avoid overusing it in highly formal documents where simpler terms might be more appropriate.
More alternative expressions(6)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
personal justification
Replaces 'rationale' with 'justification', emphasizing the act of defending or proving something to be right.
individual reasoning
Focuses on the cognitive process of forming conclusions, using 'reasoning' instead of 'rationale'.
personal reasoning
Uses 'reasoning' to highlight the thought process behind a decision or belief.
individual justification
Combines 'individual' with 'justification' to stress a person's defense of their actions or beliefs.
personal logic
Replaces 'rationale' with 'logic' to emphasize the use of reason and principles in one's thinking.
personal explanation
Substitutes 'rationale' with 'explanation' to focus on clarifying one's reasons or motives.
personal motive
Emphasizes the underlying reason or incentive for an action, using 'motive' in place of 'rationale'.
individual reason
Uses the term 'reason' to highlight the cause or explanation behind someone's actions or beliefs.
personal grounds
Replaces 'rationale' with 'grounds', indicating the basis or justification for a particular stance.
self justification
Highlights the act of justifying oneself or one's actions.
FAQs
What does "personal rationale" mean?
The phrase "personal rationale" refers to the reasons or justifications that an individual has for a particular belief, action, or decision. It explains the underlying logic from a person's point of view.
How can I use "personal rationale" in a sentence?
You can use it to explain why someone did something. For example, "She explained her "personal rationale" for choosing to study abroad."
What are some alternatives to "personal rationale"?
You can use alternatives like "personal justification", "individual reasoning", or "personal reasoning" depending on the specific context.
Is "personal rationale" formal or informal?
It is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, but in highly formal situations, simpler words like "reason" or "justification" might be preferred.
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Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
87%
Authority and reliability
4.1/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested