seek a justification

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "seek a justification" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you are looking for a reason or explanation for a particular action, decision, or belief. Example: "In order to proceed with the project, we must seek a justification for the budget increase."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Usually, when British conservation groups seek a justification for their war on three-dimensional habitats, they fall back on tradition: this is how the land was, so this is how it should remain.

The Guardian

It seems, perhaps, prima facie desirable that we also seek a justification in the sense of the old problem, but Hume's argument suggests that such a justification is impossible.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Of course, that can be a turnoff to some people, but that would matter only if Mr. Jacobs sought a justification for the ads, one beyond their ability to inspire and provoke.

The New York Times

But to investigate this question at all-to seek a reasoned justification of a belief with regard to which we are too well off to require reasoned justification-implies bad judgement of what is better and what is worse, what commends itself to belief and what does not, what is ultimate and what is not.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

De Broglie sought a physical justification for Bohr's assumption of quantization, and hypothesized that all particles move with a wavelike character with a wavelength.

Physical Chemistry

As America seeks a legal justification for intervening in Syria it might do well to explore a different road to Damascus.

The New York Times

When Langley begins stockpiling newspapers, Homer earns the reader's sympathy as he seeks a logical justification for his brother's mania.

The New York Times - Books

The Victorians developed their ethic of cricket (leadership, teamwork, character-building) because they were ashamed of their fondness for this silly game and sought a higher justification for playing it.

The Guardian - Sport

"Jihad," tomorrow night, is a two-hour premiere that examines the origins of the Muslim Brotherhood and Muslim fundamentalism to explain that the Koran was hijacked by extremists seeking a religious justification for all-out war against the West and secularized Arab states, even ones that say they are Muslim.

The New York Times - Arts

In effect, they conflate the idea of seeking an impartial justification for our actions, which are taken from within a particular, and thus necessarily partial, context, with that of adopting an impartial point of view, but one that, impossibly, is abstracted from any particular context.

SEP

Some Israelis believe that Lebanon's motives are mainly economic, while others fear that the Lebanese government may be seeking a new territorial justification for continued conflict with Israel.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "seek a justification", ensure that the context clearly indicates who is seeking the justification and for what purpose. Be specific about the action, decision, or belief that requires justification.

Common error

While "seek a justification" is acceptable, overuse can make writing sound repetitive. Vary your language by using synonyms like "find a rationale" or "request an explanation" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "seek a justification" functions primarily as a verb phrase acting as the predicate in a sentence. According to Ludwig AI, it is used to express the act of looking for a reason or explanation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

33%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

8%

Formal & Business

7%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "seek a justification" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression that signifies the act of looking for reasons or explanations. Ludwig AI confirms its usability across various contexts, although formal alternatives like "find a rationale" or "request an explanation" may be preferable in certain settings. This phrase appears frequently in news media, scientific publications, and academic writing, reflecting its broad applicability when validation or support for an action, belief, or decision is needed. While "seek a justification" is generally appropriate, awareness of its frequency and potential for overuse can guide writers toward more varied and engaging language.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

look for a rationale

Focuses on finding a logical or reasoned basis.

search for a reason

Emphasizes finding any reason, not necessarily a valid one.

attempt to justify

Highlights the effort made to provide a justification.

request an explanation

Shifts the focus to asking for someone else's justification.

find a basis for

Suggests discovering the underlying foundation or reason.

try to rationalize

Implies an attempt to make something seem reasonable, even if it isn't.

seek a validation

Focuses on finding confirmation or support.

demand an account

Emphasizes the act of requiring someone to provide a justification.

explore the grounds for

Suggests a thorough investigation to find the reasons.

warrant an explanation

Focuses on if something deserves or needs an explanation.

FAQs

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

You can use "seek a justification" when looking for a reason or explanation for an action, decision, or belief. For example: "The company had to seek a justification for the sudden price increase."

What can I say instead of "seek a justification"?

You can use alternatives like "look for a rationale", "search for a reason", or "request an explanation" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "seek a justification"?

It is appropriate to use "seek a justification" in both formal and informal contexts when you need to find or provide a reason for something. However, more formal alternatives may be preferable in some settings.

What is the difference between "seek a justification" and "provide a justification"?

"Seek a justification" implies that you are looking for a reason, while "provide a justification" means that you are giving a reason.