their justification

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "their justification" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the reasoning or rationale provided by a person or group for a particular action or belief. Example: "The committee reviewed their justification for the proposed changes to the policy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I want to understand their justification.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

(Those conspiring to overthrow government cite a conspiracy theory as their justification).

The New York Times

To enforce the imperial peace laws became both their ambition and their justification.

Encyclopedia Britannica

But they will have — and this is their justification — a very full sense of humor".

The New Yorker

Seeing my irritation at being asked something inappropriate, their justification was often that they were "curious".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

As Trump has shown, we are their inspiration and their justification.

The Guardian - Opinion

When Indian political parties advocate prohibition, they often use protecting women and girls as their justification.

The Guardian

"They [Sikh radicals] really are just thugs who use the religion as their justification for intimidation and violence".

Independent

In methodology, pragmatism was a broad philosophical attitude toward the formation of concepts, hypotheses, and theories and their justification.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"Secrecy cloaks not only the operations, but their justification and rationale, which are legitimate subjects of public interest".

The New York Times

Before adding a country to a list, ask students to state their justification for why a country should be included.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "their justification" when you want to highlight the reasons or rationale provided by a group or entity, especially when these reasons are being examined, questioned, or defended.

Common error

Avoid using "their justification" when it's unclear to whom "their" refers. Always ensure the pronoun has a clear and direct antecedent to prevent confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "their justification" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or preposition. It refers to the reasoning or rationale provided by a group or individual to explain or defend their actions or beliefs. Ludwig AI confirms its correct grammatical usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "their justification" is a noun phrase used to denote the reasons or rationale provided by a group or individual. Ludwig AI validates its grammatical correctness and wide applicability. It is most commonly found in News & Media, scientific and encyclopedic contexts, serving the purpose of explaining or defending actions, decisions, or beliefs. While it can be used in formal writing, it's crucial to ensure clarity regarding whose justification is being referenced. Alternatives such as "their rationale" or "their reasons" can be used to diversify your writing, but "their justification" is very appropriate for conveying reasoning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

their rationale

Focuses more on the logical basis or reasoning process.

their reasons

A simpler and more direct way of referring to the causes or motives.

their reasoning

Emphasizes the thought process behind a decision or action.

their motives

Highlights the underlying intentions or desires.

their grounds

Refers to the basis or foundation upon which a belief or action is based.

the basis for their actions

This alternative is more descriptive and emphasizes the connection to specific actions.

the logic behind their decision

This alternative focuses specifically on the logical aspect of a decision.

what motivated them

Focuses on the driving forces behind the actions.

the thinking behind it

A more informal way to refer to the rationale.

their explanation

Implies a more detailed account of the reasons.

FAQs

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

You can use "their justification" to explain the reasons behind a group's actions or beliefs. For example: "The committee presented "their justification" for the budget cuts."

What are some alternatives to "their justification"?

Alternatives include "their rationale", "their reasons", or "the basis for their actions". The best choice depends on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "their justification" in formal writing?

Yes, "their justification" is appropriate for formal writing. It is a clear and professional way to refer to the reasoning behind a decision or action. However, ensure that the context and sentence structure are also formal.

What is the difference between "their justification" and "their excuse"?

"Their justification" implies a reasoned explanation or defense, while "their excuse" suggests an attempt to avoid blame or responsibility. Justifications are generally considered more legitimate than excuses. Using "their justification" emphasizes the reasons provided, while using "their excuse" emphasizes potential evasion or a lack of genuine accountability.