plausible justification

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "plausible justification" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing reasons or explanations that are reasonable and believable in a given context. Example: "The committee required a plausible justification for the proposed changes to the policy before they could approve it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

If it does not do so, we will have a plausible justification for war.

The New York Times

"The reason is that the potential impact on consumers is so great, and there is no plausible justification for it".

The New York Times - Tech

Given that magazines and newspapers are bleeding to death, this is the only plausible justification I can think of: Lists are cash cows.

The New York Times

Given this fact, Rawls urges, the only plausible justification of inequality is that it serves to render everyone better off, especially those who have the least.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Goldstone said the nature of the attack on the flour mill "suggests that the intention was to disable its productive capacity" and said there was no plausible justification for the extensive damage.

The Guardian

People don't generally engage in moral reasoning, Haidt argues, but moral rationalization: they begin with the conclusion, coughed up by an unconscious emotion, and then work backward to a plausible justification.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

14 human-written examples

Saddam's human rights record was not an adequate justification to go to war and the Bush Administration did not seriously try to make it one, until long after the war began and all the other plausible justifications had been proven false.

Huffington Post

We, however, must blend this internal Daoist history with external information about these groups and their thought to get a plausible explanatory justification for the classic Zhuangzi position.

SEP

But if they are successful, they lend powerful support to those theses, by effectively neutralizing any reasons we might take ourselves to have for resisting the conclusions of the arguments for them.[37] G1 reflects a prima facie plausible constraint on justification.

SEP

"In the 21st century, there is no plausible military, political or deterrent justification for the Russian government to deploy several thousand such weapons," said Frank Miller, a former national security aide to President George W. Bush and now now at the Scowcroft Group in Washington.

The New York Times

Such a requirement is at best plausible for having second-level justification for believing that one has an inferentially justified belief.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "plausible justification", ensure that the reason provided is not only believable but also relevant and appropriate to the context. Avoid using it for weak or flimsy excuses.

Common error

Avoid using "plausible justification" when the reason is clearly dubious or lacks sufficient evidence. Overstating plausibility can undermine your credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "plausible justification" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "plausible" modifies the noun "justification". It describes a reason or explanation that is believable and seemingly true, as seen in the Ludwig examples provided.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Encyclopedias

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "plausible justification" is a commonly used phrase that serves to describe a believable and seemingly valid reason or explanation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and widely accepted. The phrase appears most frequently in news and media, as well as science-related content, indicating a formal to neutral register. When using "plausible justification", ensure the reasons are not only believable but also appropriate for the context to enhance credibility. Alternatives such as "credible rationale" or "reasonable explanation" can be used for subtle differences in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

credible rationale

Emphasizes the soundness and believability of the underlying reasoning.

reasonable explanation

Focuses on the logical and understandable nature of the reason provided.

believable excuse

Suggests a reason that is likely to be accepted as true, though possibly with a negative connotation.

convincing argument

Highlights the persuasive strength of the reason being presented.

valid defense

Implies that the justification is legally or morally sound.

sound basis

Emphasizes that the reason is strong and well-founded.

tenable ground

Suggests a position that is defensible and can be maintained.

defensible reason

Focuses on the ability to justify or support the given reason.

supportable claim

Implies the justification is based on factual evidence and is possible to demonstrate as true or valid.

acceptable rationale

Highlights that the justification meets certain standards or is considered satisfactory.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "plausible justification" in a sentence?

Use "plausible justification" to introduce a reason or explanation that is believable and reasonable within a specific context. For example, "The company needed a "plausible justification" for the price increase."

What are some alternatives to "plausible justification"?

You can use alternatives such as "credible rationale", "reasonable explanation", or "convincing argument" depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is there a difference between "plausible justification" and "possible justification"?

"Plausible justification" suggests a reason that is believable and likely to be true, whereas "possible justification" simply indicates that a reason is conceivable but not necessarily convincing. Plausible implies a higher degree of credibility.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "plausible justification"?

It's appropriate when presenting or evaluating reasons or explanations that need to be perceived as credible and reasonable, such as in legal, ethical, or decision-making contexts. Ensure the justification aligns with the available evidence and logical reasoning.