this can be justified

USAGE SUMMARY

"this can be justified" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you need to explain that something can be explained or defended, either by yourself or by somebody else. Example Sentence: The decision to increase the budget for the project can be justified by the need to cut costs in the long-term.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"Under Islam, this can be justified," he told The Independent.

The New York Times

Most importantly, this can be justified even without a change in inflation target.

The Economist

We discuss how this can be justified on the basis of the substantial uncertainties in the carbon markets.

Energy Policy

This can be justified only as long as the government is stable and the European Central Bank (ECB) acts as a guarantor.

The Guardian - Business

"Culture is such a huge business and is such an attraction for tourists that a lot of this can be justified in terms of the city's economy," he said.

The New York Times - Arts

Do you think that this can be justified?" We then asked the same question but replaced "small" with "large" informal contributions and found almost no difference in the responses.

The Washington Post

And if you think any of this can be justified because it supports the insurance industry and creates American jobs … well, no: most of the subsidized insurance providers are based offshore.

The New York Times

Though he believes this can be justified through careful interpretation of the text itself, he emphasizes instead a political justification: a broad interpretation would encourage self-interested politicians to escalate minor disputes into impeachment crises, thereby damaging the chances for rational public deliberation on the issues that really matter to citizens.

The New York Times - Books

This can be justified by considering that the combined action of all interfacial effects reduces the work function that subsequently deposited molecules 'see' to, in our case, Φeff−eV(d)=6.5 eV−2.1 eV=4.4 eV, which is, again, the HOMO-pinning work function Φ+ of pentacene.

Nature

A year later, Americans were granted, at death, unlimited deductions for their charitable bequests from the new estate tax.Some economists say this can be justified on the basis that taxable income should include only personal consumption and wealth creation, and money given to charity is arguably neither.

The Economist

This can be justified by sample preparation and electrospinning conditions.

Progress in Biomaterials

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "this can be justified", clearly state the reasons or evidence supporting the justification immediately after the phrase to enhance clarity and persuasiveness.

Common error

Avoid using "this can be justified" without specifying who is doing the justifying or what specific criteria are being used. Providing context makes the statement more credible and less ambiguous.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "this can be justified" functions as an assertion that a particular action, decision, or situation has a valid reason or basis. It introduces an explanation or defense for something, indicating that it's not arbitrary or without merit. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

45%

News & Media

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "this can be justified" is a versatile phrase used to introduce reasons or defenses for actions, decisions, or situations. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. Its frequency in science, news, and formal business contexts highlights its appropriateness for professional communication. Related phrases like "this is defensible" or "this is explainable" offer nuanced alternatives. When using this phrase, remember to provide clear, specific reasons for the justification to avoid ambiguity and enhance credibility. Ludwig's analysis and examples provide a robust understanding of the phrase's usage and application.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

this is defensible

Emphasizes the ability to protect or uphold something against attack or criticism.

this is explainable

Highlights the capacity to provide a clear reason or understanding of something.

this is warranted

Suggests that something is officially approved or justified, often implying authority.

this is legitimate

Implies that something conforms to the law or to rules, and so is justified.

this is reasonable

Focuses on the logical or sensible nature of something, making it justifiable.

this is supportable

Indicates that something can be backed up or proven with evidence or arguments.

this is vindicable

Stresses the possibility of clearing someone or something of blame or suspicion.

this is excusable

Highlights that something can be forgiven or understood, reducing its severity.

there's a rationale for this

Indicates the presence of a logical basis or reason for something.

there's a valid reason for this

Emphasizes that the justification is well-founded and acceptable.

FAQs

How can I use "this can be justified" in a sentence?

Use "this can be justified" when you want to explain why an action, decision, or situation is reasonable or defensible. For instance, "The increased budget can be justified by the potential long-term savings."

What phrases are similar to "this can be justified"?

Alternatives include "this is defensible", "this is explainable", or "this is warranted", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "this can be justified" in writing?

It's appropriate to use "this can be justified" in formal writing, academic papers, or professional reports when you need to provide a rationale or defense for a particular action, decision, or outcome.

Is "this can be justified" a formal or informal phrase?

"This can be justified" is generally considered a neutral to formal phrase suitable for academic, professional, and journalistic contexts. More informal settings might benefit from simpler phrasing.