sole justification

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sole justification" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate the only reason or explanation for something. Example: "The sole justification for the decision was the need to cut costs."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

The sole justification for the party's rule is the imperative to stay in power.

The New York Times

But this undermines the government's sole justification for the PFI policy, namely risk transfer.

The Guardian - Business

"It is the sole justification and the only stable foundation for our rule".

The New York Times - Books

Twenty-two dopartmenot do not advise against deploying ECWs if the sole justification is that the suspect is fleeing.

The Guardian

The realm of aesthetics – art, music, literature, theatre and film – seemed to be, as Nietzsche had said, the sole justification of life and the world.

The Guardian - Music

pic.twitter.com/3XAtQuX6SD It states that "editors must not use the fame, notoriety or position of a parent or guardian as sole justification for publishing details of a child's private life".

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

Charters' ability to deliver on their promise of achieving higher scores is, after all, their sole reason for existing and the only justification for their annually diverting billions of dollars from public schools.

Huffington Post

After Bakke, to the extent that Justice Powell spoke for the court, diversity became the sole permissible justification for taking race into account in admissions.

The New York Times

Holder doesn't even make a persuasive case for preemptive war, and his sole legal justification is that the Constitution allows for it.

Vice

Diversity is the last man standing, the sole remaining legal justification for racial preferences in deciding who can study at public universities.

The New York Times

"His openness is the sole and sufficient justification for his ostracism," Justice Stevens wrote, which amounts to "a constitutionally prescribed symbol of inferiority".

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "sole justification" to emphasize the singular and critical nature of a reason or explanation, strengthening the logic of your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "sole justification" if multiple justifications exist. This weakens your argument and can be misleading. Instead, use phrases like "primary justification" or "key factor" if other reasons contribute.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sole justification" functions as a noun phrase that typically acts as a subject complement or object in a sentence. It identifies the exclusive reason or basis for something. As Ludwig AI highlights, it's used to pinpoint the single, valid reason behind an action or decision.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

33%

Encyclopedias

13%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "sole justification" is a grammatically correct and usable English phrase, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It signifies the only reason or explanation for something, emphasizing its singular importance. While alternatives like "only justification" or "exclusive justification" exist, the choice depends on the specific context and desired nuance. As a reminder, it's best to avoid using "sole justification" if other contributing factors exist, and make sure this is the sole reason! The phrase appears most frequently in news and media, science, and encyclopedias. The variety of examples, alongside Ludwig AI's assessment, confirms its accurate and valid usage across different contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

only justification

Replaces "sole" with "only", a more common synonym, slightly reducing emphasis.

exclusive justification

Substitutes "sole" with "exclusive", highlighting the unique and singular nature of the justification.

single justification

Replaces "sole" with "single", implying that there isn't a secondary reason.

primary justification

Changes the meaning to the main, but potentially not the only, reason.

chief justification

Implies the most important reason, but not necessarily the only one.

fundamental justification

Highlights the essential nature of the justification, rather than its exclusivity.

principal justification

Indicates the main reason, which may not be the only factor.

underlying justification

Shifts the focus to the foundational reason, rather than its exclusivity.

basic justification

Highlights the core reason but does not exclude the possibility of others.

valid rationale

Replaces "justification" with rationale to mean underlying reason, and sole is replaced with valid meaning well founded.

FAQs

What does "sole justification" mean?

The phrase "sole justification" means the only reason or explanation for something. There are no other contributing factors or reasons; it stands alone as the basis for an action, belief, or decision.

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

You can use "sole justification" to emphasize that there is only one reason for something. For example, "The "sole justification" for the project's cancellation was lack of funding."

What are some alternatives to "sole justification"?

Some alternatives to "sole justification" include "only justification", "exclusive justification", or "single justification". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired emphasis.

Is it better to say "sole justification" or "main justification"?

The choice between "sole justification" and "main justification" depends on the context. "Sole justification" implies there is only one reason, while "main justification" suggests there are other reasons, but one is primary. If there are multiple reasons, "main justification" is more accurate.