that doesn't justify

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of the sentence "that doesn't justify" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express that something is not enough to justify a particular action or decision. Example: Even though the rent is low, that doesn't justify living in a dangerous neighborhood.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Huffington Post

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

49 human-written examples

Bits either end with a punchline that doesn't justify the build-up or take an obscure, unpleasant turn.

The Guardian

I adore Speed Racer, but I and others like me don't run around pretending that it wasn't a costly flop that doesn't justify a sequel.

Forbes

And while the policies the Tory party goes for tend to enrich the already rich and immiserate the poor, that doesn't justify a word as vicious and exclusionary as enemy.

Vice

But even if the kids just don't get it, or even if Gay Inc. is too busy playing respectability politics with straight America, that doesn't justify what the NYC DOHMH has done.

Huffington Post

If your efforts to improve your marriage fail, that doesn't justify picking up where your left off with your flirt buddy; it means you either keep trying until you either succeed or conclude that your marriage is not fixable, at which point you should proceed with getting a divorce.

Huffington Post

But that doesn't justify the folly.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

11 human-written examples

Of course, that does not justify repeated mass mailings.

The New York Times

Under Virginia law, that offense is a misdemeanor that does not justify an arrest, except in unusual circumstances.

The New York Times

While it is lamentable that your fan broke after the guarantee's expiration, that does not justify this petty deceit.

The New York Times - Magazine

While nobody expects the mass violence of the 1990s to recur, that does not justify diplomatic indifference and inaction.

The Guardian - Opinion

Their analysis indicates that most moral principles that seem appealing, upon examination, have a functional explanation, one that does not justify their being accorded independent weight in the assessment of public policy.

Harvard University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "that doesn't justify", ensure the 'that' clearly refers to a specific action, reason, or situation to avoid ambiguity. For instance, instead of "He was late, but that doesn't justify his rudeness", specify: "His being late doesn't justify his rudeness."

Common error

Avoid using "that doesn't justify" when 'that' lacks a clear referent. This can confuse readers. For example, instead of saying "The team lost, but that doesn't justify it", specify what 'that' refers to: "The team's loss doesn't justify the coach's outburst."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that doesn't justify" functions as a negative causal connector, linking a cause or circumstance with its inadequacy as a justification. It expresses that an action or situation is not excused or validated by the preceding event. Ludwig provides numerous examples of this usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

12%

Huffington Post

8%

Less common in

Science & Research

4%

Forbes

4%

The New York Times

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "that doesn't justify" is a frequently used negative causal connector that serves to express disapproval or refute an attempted justification. As confirmed by Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and appears across a wide range of sources, from news media and online encyclopedias to personal blogs. Common errors include using vague pronouns. For clarity, ensure 'that' has a clear referent. Alternatives include phrases like "that doesn't excuse" and "that does not warrant", which can provide a more formal tone or a slightly different nuance. Mastering this phrase allows for clear and effective communication when challenging or disagreeing with specific actions or rationales.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that is not a justification for

Replaces the contraction and uses a more formal tone.

that doesn't excuse

Emphasizes the lack of forgiveness or acceptance rather than reason.

that does not warrant

Suggests the action is not worthy of the response or consequence.

that is not a valid reason for

Highlights the unacceptability of the rationale behind an action.

that fails to legitimize

Focuses on the lack of authorization or validation.

that offers no grounds for

Implies a complete absence of valid support or basis.

that provides no rationale for

Stresses the absence of a logical or reasoned explanation.

that's no excuse for

Informal way of saying something should not be forgiven.

that is unacceptable as a reason

Directly states the reason is inadequate or inappropriate.

it cannot be defended by saying

Highlights the indefensibility of the action by invoking an argument.

FAQs

How can I use "that doesn't justify" in a sentence?

Use "that doesn't justify" to express that something is not a good enough reason or excuse for something else. For example: "Even though he was provoked, "that doesn't justify" his violent reaction".

What's a more formal way to say "that doesn't justify"?

For a more formal tone, you could use "that does not justify", "that does not warrant", or "that is not a justification for". These alternatives provide a similar meaning but with a more elevated style. For example: "This mistake "does not warrant" such a harsh penalty".

Is it correct to say "this doesn't justify" instead of "that doesn't justify"?

Yes, both "this doesn't justify" and "that doesn't justify" are grammatically correct. The choice depends on what you are referring to. Use "this" to refer to something closer in context or time, and "that" for something more distant. For example: "This doesn't justify the expense".

What are some phrases similar to "that doesn't justify" that I can use to show disagreement?

Alternatives include phrases like "that doesn't excuse", "that is unacceptable", or "that is no excuse". These phrases emphasize that something is not acceptable, even if there are mitigating circumstances.