this cannot be justified

USAGE SUMMARY

"this cannot be justified" is a perfectly acceptable phrase in written English.
You can use it whenever you want to assert that something is not supported by evidence or sound reasoning. For example, "It is unacceptable that students in this school are subjected to such stringent punishments; this cannot be justified."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

However, this cannot be justified since other urban parameters like building coverage ratio and building height variation also contribute to the CHTC of urban canopy surfaces.

Journal of Wind Engineering and Industrial Aerodynamics

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

This intrusion cannot be justified by a claim to protect the nation from a terror attack.

The New York Times

Surely this scenario cannot be justified under any sane reading of Florida's Stand Your Ground law.

The New York Times

This unfairness cannot be justified on the grounds used to justify first-past-the-post for Westminster, that it provides strong government.

The Economist

The court was unequivocal in its finding that the mass collection of metadata is an interference with the right to privacy, and access to this data cannot be justified under vague references to combating serious crimes or terrorism.

The Guardian - Opinion

The judges, John M. Walker Jr., chief of the federal appeals court in Manhattan, and John G. Koeltl and Richard M. Berman, two district judges, stated in the decision that "the relief sought by the plaintiffs in this case cannot be justified under the Voting Rights Act".

The New York Times

Using the very rough measure of comparing the market capitalisation of top energy firms with their proven reserves, Gazprom is selling for a song (see chart 1).Bullish Moscow fund managers argue that this discount cannot be justified and cannot last.

The Economist

In our opinion further trials to address this question cannot be justified.

American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology

It is certain that technologies do exist that will deliver competitive advantages.Renewable energy has provided simple and cheap solutions to meet the needs of many, but this simplicity cannot be justified in the sub-Saharan African continent where the looming poverty remains a problem without any acceptable solutions.

Desalination

Similarly, if some proposition presents itself to the mind as true, then this presentation cannot be justified, although the belief based on it can be (and we might add, the proposition intuited can be), for its seeming to be true is not a conclusion we could arrive at: it's just how certain propositions present themselves to the mind.

SEP

This senseless killing cannot be justified as a drug control measure," said Ann Fordham, executive director of the International Drug Policy Consortium (IDPC), which coordinated the letter.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "this cannot be justified" when you want to express strong disapproval or disagreement with a particular action, decision, or belief. Ensure that your statement is supported by evidence or logical reasoning.

Common error

Avoid using "this cannot be justified" as a standalone statement. Always provide context and explain why it cannot be justified to make your argument more persuasive and avoid ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "this cannot be justified" functions as an evaluative statement, expressing a strong disapproval or disagreement. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and commonly used. Examples across Ludwig highlight its usage in diverse contexts, from political commentary to scientific discourse, showcasing its versatility in conveying a critical judgment.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

44%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "this cannot be justified" is a powerful phrase used to express strong disapproval or disagreement. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is grammatically correct and widely employed across various contexts. Predominantly found in News & Media and Scientific sources, this phrase serves to challenge the legitimacy of actions, decisions, or beliefs. While versatile, it is crucial to provide context and evidence when using this phrase to strengthen your argument. Remember, the goal is to convey a clear, well-supported, and persuasive message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

this is indefensible

Emphasizes the lack of defense or support for something.

there's no justification for this

Directly states the absence of a valid reason or excuse.

this is unwarranted

Highlights the lack of necessity or reason for something.

this is unsupportable

Suggests that something cannot be maintained or defended.

this lacks justification

Similar to "there's no justification for this", but more formal.

this is not justifiable

A more formal way of saying something cannot be justified.

this is inexcusable

Focuses on the lack of an acceptable excuse for something.

this is unacceptable

Highlights that something does not meet acceptable standards.

this is without merit

Implies that something lacks value or worth.

this is groundless

Indicates that something has no basis in fact or reason.

FAQs

How can I use "this cannot be justified" in a sentence?

Use "this cannot be justified" to express disagreement with an action or idea, as in "The company's decision to lay off employees during record profits; this cannot be justified".

What's a more formal alternative to "this cannot be justified"?

A more formal alternative could be "this is not justifiable", which carries a similar meaning but sounds more appropriate for professional contexts.

What can I say instead of "this cannot be justified" in a less direct way?

Consider using softer phrases like "this is questionable" or "this raises concerns" to express your disagreement without being overly confrontational.

Is "this cannot be justified" the same as "this is unjustified"?

While similar, "this cannot be justified" implies a stronger stance that there is absolutely no valid reason, while "this is unjustified" simply states that something lacks justification without necessarily implying impossibility.