reasonable justification

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "reasonable justification" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to describe the explanation or rationale given by someone for a particular action or opinion. For example, "I was able to provide a reasonable justification for my decision to buy a new car."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Indicate in the comments field a reasonable justification.

University of California, Berkeley

There is no "objective and reasonable" justification for such blatant targeting of national and ethnic minorities.

The Guardian

"Sometimes there will be a reasonable justification for that happening, but sometimes there will not.

The Guardian

There is no reasonable justification for extending criminal penalties to broader categories of classified information.

The New York Times

Colonel Fisher estimated that there was reasonable justification to detain perhaps 10percentt of them.

The New York Times

What is proposed is a serious invasion of personal liberty without reasonable justification.

The New York Times

So, if Boyer got in — after Santo — that would be a reasonable justification.

The New York Times

Just as we call sex without consent 'rape', circumcision without consent or reasonable justification should be called 'mutilation'mutilation

The Guardian

If I was the fourth, though, no one would think that, at least not with any reasonable justification.

The New Yorker

There is no reasonable justification for this choice, as the film could have been cast otherwise without affecting its commerciality.

The Guardian - Opinion

Not a single reasonable justification for this inequitable distribution of funds has been brought to my attention.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "reasonable justification", ensure that the justification provided is logical, factually supported, and proportionate to the situation.

Common error

Avoid presenting a weak or flimsy reason as a "reasonable justification". Ensure that the reason aligns with common sense and is supported by credible evidence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "reasonable justification" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or preposition. It identifies the reason or explanation given in support of an action, decision, or belief. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in various written English contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

30%

Science

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "reasonable justification" is a noun phrase used to describe a rationale that is logical, defensible, and well-supported. Ludwig AI indicates its correctness and broad applicability in written English. It is frequently found in news, academic, and scientific contexts, indicating a neutral to formal register. When using this phrase, ensure the justification aligns with common sense and is supported by credible evidence. Alternatives include phrases like "valid rationale" or "legitimate reason", which may be more suitable depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

justifiable cause

Inverts the order but retains the core meaning, emphasizing the cause's justifiability.

valid rationale

Replaces "reasonable justification" with a more concise expression emphasizing the validity of the reason.

legitimate reason

Substitutes "justification" with "reason", highlighting the legitimacy of the cause or explanation.

defensible rationale

Highlights that the rationale is capable of being defended or justified.

sound basis

Emphasizes the solidity and reliability of the foundation for an action or belief.

well-founded reason

Emphasizes that the reason has solid grounds or evidence backing it.

plausible explanation

Focuses on the believability and credibility of the explanation provided.

acceptable explanation

Focuses on the acceptance and permissibility of the explanation.

good cause

Replaces "justification" with "cause", indicating a morally or legally acceptable reason.

valid excuse

Similar to legitimate reason, but implies a reason offered to mitigate blame or responsibility.

FAQs

How can I use "reasonable justification" in a sentence?

You can use "reasonable justification" to explain why an action was taken or a decision was made. For example, "The company provided a "reasonable justification" for the layoffs, citing economic downturn".

What's the difference between "reasonable justification" and "valid excuse"?

"Reasonable justification" typically implies a logical and defensible reason, while "valid excuse" suggests a reason that mitigates blame or responsibility. A "reasonable justification" aims to explain why something was necessary, while a "valid excuse" aims to explain why something went wrong.

What are some alternatives to saying "reasonable justification"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "valid rationale", "legitimate reason", or "sound basis".

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

Use "reasonable justification" when you need to provide a clear, logical, and defensible explanation for an action, decision, or belief. It's appropriate in formal and professional contexts where accountability and transparency are important.