rationale why

USAGE SUMMARY

"rationale why" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you are explaining a specific reason for taking a particular course of action. For example, "This is the rationale why I chose to take this job: the salary was significantly higher than I had anticipated."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

I could come up with a rationale why any of the nominees could win.

The Guardian - Film

It's a cliché these days to say that the question hovering over Clinton's campaign is about its "rationale": Why is she running?

The New Yorker

This curious rationale (why use seven translators rather than 70? Or 700?) does suggest one important half-truth about Proust's writing: what Christopher Prendergast, the general editor, describes as its 'commitment to the mobile and the multiple'.

The Guardian - Books

Professor Bar-Yam said he saw that Hunter College High School's students were returning from vacation during the period of the data collection, and said that "this provided a rationale" why Hunter could be the source of the posts.

The New York Times

More specifics of both the sensing modes and the rationale why static mode sensing is preferred over dynamic sensing method will be explained in the later sections of the article.

Nano-Micro Letters

There being no good rationale why arbitrators should not write reasons, the question remains–"Why should they?" First, and most obvious, is that people want to know ought to be entitled to know why they won or lost.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 human-written examples

The expression appears to be strange at first, but it is actually one of the most important rationales why the geometric product is so useful.

EURASIP Journal on Advances in Signal Processing

Long ago Mr. Manilow developed his own rationale for why he earned such hostile reviews.

The New York Times - Arts

"But there is some good rationale behind why some of those actions were taken".

The New York Times

Hingis gave her own rationale on why Seles is still playing.

The New York Times - Sports

"I mean, there's no other rationale for why they're doing this".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "rationale why", ensure it's followed by a clear and specific explanation to enhance understanding.

Common error

Avoid using "rationale why" when a simpler "rationale" or "reason" will suffice for conciseness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "rationale why" functions as a noun phrase followed by an adverb, introducing the explanation or justification for a particular decision, action, or belief. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a valid and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

52%

News & Media

43%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase “rationale why” is a valid way to introduce a justification or explanation, commonly used in both scientific and news contexts. While Ludwig AI confirms its usability, it's worth noting that using just "rationale" or "reason" can often be more concise. The key is to ensure clarity and specificity in your explanation, and to be mindful of potential redundancy. Alternatives like "reason for", "justification for", and "explanation for" can provide nuanced alternatives, depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reason for

Focus shifts from the explanation itself to the cause.

justification for

Highlights the act of proving something to be right or reasonable.

explanation for

Emphasizes clarifying the cause or reason.

basis for

Indicates the fundamental principle or foundation.

grounds for

Suggests the legally or morally acceptable reasons.

motivation behind

Focuses on the driving force or incentive.

purpose of

Highlights the intended aim or objective.

driving force

Emphasizes the power or cause of a particular action

underlying principle

Focuses on the key belief guiding actions.

antecedent cause

Highlights what came before, leading to something else.

FAQs

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

You can use "rationale why" to introduce the reasons behind a decision or action. For example, "The "rationale why" we chose this approach is its proven effectiveness".

What phrases can replace "rationale why"?

Alternatives include "reason for", "justification for", or "explanation for", depending on the nuance you wish to convey.

Is it redundant to use "rationale why"?

While not strictly incorrect, "rationale" inherently implies a reason, so adding "why" can sometimes be redundant. Consider using just "rationale" for brevity.

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

"Rationale" often suggests a more formal or complex explanation, while "reason" is a more general term for cause or justification. Thus, "rationale why" may be more appropriate for formal contexts requiring detailed explanations.