the rationale behind this

USAGE SUMMARY

"the rationale behind this" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It is typically used to refer to the underlying reason or logic behind a decision, action, or statement. Example: The company's decision to expand into international markets was driven by the rationale behind this being the potential for increased profits and market growth.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

The rationale behind this approach is straightforward.

The New York Times

What's the rationale behind this?

The Guardian

Supporting it undermined the rationale behind this leadership.

Independent

The sheet of paper includes a series of figures evidently showing the rationale behind this claim.

The Guardian

Given the presence of a perfectly good index, the rationale behind this is hard to understand.

The Guardian - Music

"Rather," the complaint claims, "the rationale behind this weaker model was to preserve S&P's market share".

The New Yorker

The rationale behind this was twofold.

Asian-Pacific Journal of Second and Foreign Language Education

The rationale behind this is the same as described previously.

Chemistry Central Journal

The paper first discusses the rationale behind this development.

IFAC Proceedings Volumes

The rationale behind this is to allow clients to communicate with the broker without any restrictions.

Journal of Cloud Computing

The rationale behind this procedure is to vary the logic when combining the criteria.

Energy, Sustainability and Society

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "the rationale behind this", clearly articulate the specific decision, action, or statement to which the rationale applies. This ensures clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "the rationale behind this" as filler. Ensure that you provide a substantive explanation following the phrase, rather than simply stating the phrase without clear reasoning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the rationale behind this" functions as a noun phrase that introduces an explanation or justification. Ludwig AI confirms its frequent usage in various contexts. It is commonly used to provide reasoning or support for a particular decision, action, or idea.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

53%

News & Media

28%

Formal & Business

19%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the rationale behind this" is a commonly used noun phrase that serves to introduce explanations and justifications, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. Predominantly found in scientific and news contexts, it provides clarity and logical support. While grammatically sound and widely accepted, it's advisable to use it thoughtfully, ensuring substance and avoiding overuse in casual settings. Consider alternatives like "the reason behind this" or "the explanation behind this" for simpler communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the justification behind this

Replaces "rationale" with "justification", emphasizing the act of showing something to be right or reasonable.

the reason behind this

Substitutes "rationale" with the more common term "reason", simplifying the language.

the idea behind this

Replaces "rationale" with "idea", focusing on the concept or thought process.

the logic behind this

Substitutes "rationale" with "logic", highlighting the reasoning or system of principles.

the purpose behind this

Replaces "rationale" with "purpose", focusing on the intended aim or objective.

the basis behind this

Substitutes "rationale" with "basis", emphasizing the underlying foundation or support.

the premise behind this

Replaces "rationale" with "premise", highlighting the foundational assumption.

the explanation behind this

Substitutes "rationale" with "explanation", focusing on making something clear and understandable.

the motivation behind this

Replaces "rationale" with "motivation", focusing on the driving force or incentive.

the thinking behind this

Substitutes "rationale" with "thinking", emphasizing the cognitive process or reasoning.

FAQs

How can I use "the rationale behind this" in a sentence?

You can use "the rationale behind this" to introduce an explanation for a decision or action. For example: "The company decided to invest in new technology; "the rationale behind this" was to increase efficiency and reduce costs."

What's a simpler alternative to "the rationale behind this"?

You can use simpler alternatives such as "the reason for this" or "the explanation for this". These alternatives are more straightforward and easier to understand in some contexts.

Is it ever incorrect to use "the rationale behind this"?

While grammatically correct, using "the rationale behind this" can be considered unnecessarily formal in casual conversation. Consider your audience and the context when choosing this phrase.

What is the difference between "the rationale behind this" and "the philosophy behind this"?

"The rationale behind this" refers to the specific reasons or justifications for a particular action or decision, whereas "the philosophy behind this" refers to the underlying principles or beliefs that guide a broader approach. They aren't perfectly interchangeable, so make sure you use them correctly. For example: "The rationale behind this new policy is to improve employee retention", vs "The philosophy behind this company is to provide a sustainable long term value"