rationales

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "rationales" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the underlying reasons or underlying principles behind someone's beliefs, opinions, or actions. For example, "The student explained their rationales for choosing to pursue a career in medicine."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Dig beneath the surface, and the two groups offer very different rationales for their optimism.The grassroots (and their idols) say they are in good heart, above all, because they have "been here before".

The Economist

It was as though the admirals were trying to justify their role according to a new political vocabulary that demands economic rationales for military activity, but they couldn't find an economic rationale so they were just hoping the very-serious-person rhetoric would make it sound plausible.Daniel Drezner has a new article in International Security that takes this issue to a larger scale.

The Economist

The vague strategic rationales that float underneath our defence budgets don't describe a vision of the world that makes any sense to me.

The Economist

European federalists are beginning to look for new rationales for European unity.

The Economist

They do not.Mr Bilton notes that after speaking to the FAA, American Airlines, Boeing and several others, he heard radically different rationales which appear to contradict one another.

The Economist

That left politicians free to project their own rationales on the carnage.For some on the left, the real villain was the government's public-spending cuts.

The Economist

As circumstances changed, Mr Bush stuck to his decisions but altered his rationales; Mr Kerry sought to adapt to change and altered his positions.

The Economist

On the other hand, to exclude other explanations is to insult the poor people who didn't riot (ie, most of them).One place the moral and socioeconomic rationales intersect is in the issue of broken families and absent parents, problems that seem to be both causes and effects of deprivation, and that disproportionately affect African-Caribbean people.

The Economist

Citing rationales ranging from "health and safety" to the need to maintain "minimum social standards" in the EU and to strike a better balance between work and family life, the commission is launching a "consultation of interested parties" on possible changes to the directive.

The Economist

The equity sales are likely to take place by June.One of the main rationales for the offerings is to finance new lending both to retail customers and the corporate sector (although the equity issue will also help to finance the bank's efforts to comply with stricter capital requirements).

The Economist

Setting this element to zero for the distant-future case greatly reduces the plausible discount rate on most estimates, to as little as 1%.Most of the economists contributing to the RFF volume lean towards a compromise, for which a variety of ingenious rationales are offered: use a high discount rate for the first 30 or so years of a project, then a lower rate or rates for more distant periods.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "rationales", ensure the reasons provided are logical and well-supported by evidence or sound reasoning to strengthen your argument.

Common error

Avoid simply listing "rationales" without providing context or evidence. Each rationale should be thoroughly explained and supported to be persuasive and credible.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "rationales" is as a plural noun. It refers to the set of reasons or justifications underlying a decision, belief, or action. Ludwig AI confirms that this word is valid in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Encyclopedias

18%

Science

18%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "rationales" is a grammatically correct and frequently used plural noun that serves to denote the underlying reasons or justifications for a particular action, belief, or decision. Ludwig AI affirms its usability in written English. As demonstrated by the provided examples, its usage is prevalent in formal contexts such as news media, encyclopedias, and scientific publications, emphasizing the importance of clarity and reasoned explanation. When employing "rationales" in writing, it is crucial to ensure that each reason is well-supported and thoroughly explained to enhance the credibility and persuasiveness of your argument.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

justifications

Direct synonym, interchangeable in many contexts, emphasizing the act of justifying.

underlying reasons

Breaks down "rationales" into its component parts, highlighting the foundational reasons.

motivating factors

Focuses on the elements that drive a decision or action.

explanations

Provides a reason or justification, but can also simply clarify without necessarily defending a choice.

grounds

Highlights the basis or foundation upon which a belief or action is based.

supporting arguments

Emphasizes the logical defense of a position or action.

bases

Similar to "grounds", but slightly less formal.

principles

Highlights the fundamental beliefs or values that guide a decision or action.

premises

Focuses on the foundational assumptions or propositions upon which a conclusion is based.

accounts

Implies a detailed explanation or narrative of the reasons behind something.

FAQs

How do I use "rationales" in a sentence?

You can use "rationales" to explain the reasons or justifications behind a decision, action, or belief. For example: "The company presented its rationales for the merger."

What can I say instead of "rationales"?

You can use alternatives like "justifications", "underlying reasons", or "motivating factors" depending on the context.

What's the difference between "rationales" and "rationalizations"?

"Rationales" are legitimate reasons or justifications, while "rationalizations" often imply finding excuses or self-serving justifications, sometimes after the fact. Rationalizations can also be seen as "afterthought".

When is it appropriate to use the term "rationales" in writing?

It is appropriate to use "rationales" in writing when you want to present a set of reasons or justifications in a formal and reasoned manner. The formal context suggests that you are discussing the "logical explanation" for something.