sound rationale

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sound rationale" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It is often used to describe a logical or reasonable explanation or justification for something. You can use it in various contexts, such as in a persuasive essay, a business proposal, or a decision-making process. Example: The company's management presented a sound rationale for their decision to expand into international markets, citing market research, cost-benefit analysis, and potential growth opportunities.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

45 human-written examples

In his recent article he unintentionally offers a sound rationale for our alleged timidity.

The New York Times

Nothing in the court-ordered supplemental production changes the sound rationale he articulated in March," the spokesman said.

The Washington Post

Samba's move, for example, has sound rationale once the hair-trigger nature of it is stripped out.

The New York Times - Sports

While these policies might make for effective scapegoating of immigrants or good political theater, there really isn't much of a sound rationale for them.

Stanford University

There is sound rationale for the use of radiotherapy (RT) as part of adjuvant treatment in patients with resectable pancreatic adenocarcinoma.

Seminars in Oncology

It is easy to cast aspersions on Newark Airport's monorail designs on vertical transportation (Soapbox, Dec. 14), yet there is sound rationale for including only one platform elevator and disallowing baggage carts beyond the ground floor.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

15 human-written examples

First of all, they're not sound rationales.

HuffPost

In addition, we began one-on-one advocacy efforts with individuals who were influential within the PBF Unit and technical arms of the MOH to provide sound rationales for including SDM in the PBF system.

Global health, science and practice

This work demonstrates a new way to significantly decrease the density of a thermoset polymer without compromising desirable properties such as high Tg and low coefficient of thermal expansion, and therefore may provide sounder rationale for molecular-based design of epoxy-based coatings.

European Polymer Journal

There's a sound political rationale for this, of course.

The New York Times

"The handover of Sangin by UK forces represents sound military rationale," Liam Fox, the defence secretary, said.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "sound rationale", ensure that the reasons you provide are not only logical but also supported by evidence or data. This strengthens your argument and makes it more persuasive.

Common error

Avoid assuming that your "sound rationale" is inherently obvious to others. Clearly articulate your reasoning and provide sufficient context to ensure your audience understands and agrees with your justification.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sound rationale" functions as a noun phrase, where 'sound' modifies 'rationale'. It's used to describe a logical and well-supported justification or reasoning for a particular decision, action, or belief. Ludwig AI confirms this with numerous examples across different contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

46%

News & Media

29%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Academia

9%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "sound rationale" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to describe a well-supported and logical justification. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase appears frequently in scientific, news, and business contexts, indicating a formal or semi-formal register. It is best practice to ensure the reasons provided are not only logical but also supported by evidence, and to clearly articulate your reasoning to your audience. Alternative phrases include "valid justification", "solid reasoning", and "well-founded argument". By understanding its usage and context, you can effectively incorporate "sound rationale" into your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

valid justification

Replaces 'sound' with 'valid', emphasizing the legitimacy of the justification.

solid reasoning

Substitutes 'rationale' with 'reasoning', focusing on the logical process.

well-founded argument

Emphasizes the strength and basis of the argument instead of the reasoning behind it.

cogent explanation

Replaces "sound rationale" with a more forceful way to express a clear and convincing explanation.

logical basis

Replaces 'rationale' with 'basis', highlighting the logical foundation.

reasonable grounds

Replaces "sound rationale" with a more general expression for acceptable reasons.

justifiable cause

Focuses on the permissibility of the action instead of the reasoning.

sensible motive

Switches the focus to the underlying motivation being sensible.

defensible reason

Shifts the focus to the ability to defend the reason provided.

plausible explanation

Highlights the believability of the explanation.

FAQs

How can I use "sound rationale" in a sentence?

Use "sound rationale" when you want to explain that there's a valid and logical reason behind a decision, action, or belief. For example, "The company had a "sound rationale" for investing in renewable energy, citing both environmental concerns and long-term cost savings".

What's the difference between "sound rationale" and "good reason"?

"Good reason" is more general and can refer to any valid explanation. "Sound rationale" implies a more structured and logically defensible justification. A "sound rationale" is typically supported by evidence or a clear line of reasoning.

What are some alternatives to using "sound rationale"?

You can use alternatives like "valid justification", "solid reasoning", or "well-founded argument" depending on the context.

In what situations is it appropriate to use "sound rationale"?

It is appropriate to use "sound rationale" in formal settings, such as academic papers, business proposals, or legal documents, where a clear and defensible justification is required. It's also useful in debates or discussions where you need to present a "cogent explanation" for your position.