rationales but

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "rationales but" is not correct and does not form a complete thought in written English.
It may be used in a context where you are contrasting different rationales or reasons, but it requires additional information to be meaningful. Example: "There are several rationales but none seem to justify the decision made."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

All of these are legitimate rationales, but each would require a different U.S. military and diplomatic strategy.

The New York Times

These approaches are embracing the full range of deontological, teleological, contractual, and virtue-ethical rationales but they have in common to construct corporate responsibility as part of a theoretical argumentation.

International Journal of Corporate Social Responsibility

This demonstrates the importance of the dimension of policy discourses, not only that it reflects environmental, economic or mixed rationales but also that national discourses can align with discourses of decentralized policy levels and of local communities.

Energy, Sustainability and Society

GPs perceived the pilot intervention-raised awareness of targeted high-risk prescribing, improved prescribing practices and the recording of decision-making rationales, but they did not value each topic equally.

BMJ Open

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Judge Snyder accepted that rationale, but reluctantly.

The New York Times

I disagree with their rationale, but I understand it.

The Guardian - Tech

The wildlife habitat may have provided the rationale but the boaters provided the catalyst.

The New York Times

There may be a strong rationale, but the Treasury has not made it clear.

The New York Times

Vazquez did not buy that rationale, but said, "Body-wise and arm-wise, I feel good".

The New York Times - Sports

I grasped the rationale, but I couldn't quite swallow it.

The New Yorker

"I understand their rationale, but I'm not pleased," he said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "rationales", ensure the contrasting element introduced by "but" is clearly and logically connected to the preceding rationales. The relationship should be evident to maintain clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "rationales but" when the "but" doesn't introduce a true contrast. Ensure that the clause following "but" genuinely offers an opposing viewpoint or limitation to the preceding rationales, not just an additional piece of information.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "rationales but" functions as a transitional phrase intended to introduce a contrast or counterpoint to previously stated justifications. Although, as Ludwig AI points out, this construction is grammatically questionable, it aims to signal a shift in perspective or highlight conflicting information.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "rationales but" is intended to bridge justifications with a contrasting element. However, Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically incorrect and suggests using stronger, more explicit conjunctions like "however" or "nevertheless" for improved clarity and formality. While appearing in sources like The New York Times and scientific journals, its rare usage indicates it should be approached with caution. Instead, opt for alternatives such as ""rationales however"" to ensure grammatical correctness and precision in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

rationales, however

Replaces "but" with "however" for a more formal contrast.

reasons, yet

Substitutes "rationales" with "reasons" and "but" with "yet", offering a slightly more emphatic contrast.

justifications, nevertheless

Uses "justifications" instead of "rationales" and "nevertheless" in place of "but", creating a more formal and stronger contrast.

explanations, still

Replaces "rationales" with "explanations" and "but" with "still", providing a simpler and more direct contrast.

grounds, but on the other hand

Replaces "rationales" with "grounds" and expands "but" to "but on the other hand", creating a more elaborate contrast.

premises, even so

Uses "premises" instead of "rationales" and "even so" in place of "but", suggesting a contrast despite the preceding logic.

arguments, despite that

Replaces "rationales" with "arguments" and "but" with "despite that", emphasizing the contrast regardless of the arguments presented.

theories, even though

Substitutes "rationales" with "theories" and "but" with "even though", highlighting a contrast even with theoretical support.

bases, but in spite of that

Replaces "rationales" with "bases" and expands "but" to "but in spite of that", creating a more descriptive contrast.

underlying principles, be that as it may

Uses "underlying principles" instead of "rationales" and "be that as it may" in place of "but", providing a formal and somewhat dismissive contrast.

FAQs

How can I use "rationales" correctly in a sentence?

Use "rationales" to introduce reasons or justifications, and follow it with a contrasting element using conjunctions like "however", "yet", or "nevertheless" instead of just "but". For example, "There are several "rationales however", none seem to fully justify the decision".

What's a more formal way to express contrast after stating rationales?

Instead of "rationales but", use phrases like "rationales nevertheless" or ""rationales however"" to maintain a formal tone. These options provide a clearer and more sophisticated transition.

Is it always incorrect to use "rationales but"?

While grammatically awkward, "rationales but" can be acceptable in informal contexts. However, for clarity and precision, it's best to replace it with stronger conjunctions that clearly signal the contrast, such as "rationales yet".

What are some alternatives to "rationales" in the phrase "rationales but"?

Consider replacing "rationales" with words like "reasons", "justifications", or "premises" depending on the context. For instance, you might say "reasons but", but remember to choose a better conjunction for grammatical correctness.