valid cause

USAGE SUMMARY

"valid cause" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to indicate a good, reasonable, and justifiable reason for something. For example, "The judge ruled in favor of the plaintiff because she provided a valid cause for her case."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

It is nevertheless a valid cause for concern.

The New York Times

But once patents are listed by the drug agency, Mr. Muris said, they can be used to delay approval of generic products, "costing consumers millions or even billions of dollars without valid cause".

The New York Times

Rather than haggle over whether he had a valid cause for quitting or what he was entitled to, the directors chose to give Mr. Karmazin all that he would have received if Mr. Redstone had dispatched him on the spot, Viacom officials said.

The New York Times

Clinical and/or imaging evidence of neck disorder or lesion can be accepted as a valid cause of headache.

The Journal of Headache and Pain

Except for the obvious disorder of the clinical, laboratory and/or imaging evidence accepted as a valid cause of headache, diagnostic blockade of its nerve is used to determinate the type of headache.

The Journal of Headache and Pain

While plaintiff lawyers may, in some cases, have a valid cause to settle in favor of their clients, they need to remember that they are to blame for insurance companies adopting a "scorched earth policy" in order to protect the rates we all pay.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

There are valid causes for concern about inequality: sharp increases in the share of income going to the top 1% of earners, a rising share of income going to profits, stagnant real wages and a rising gap between productivity growth and growth in median family incomes.

The Guardian - Business

These are valid causes.

Huffington Post

Several studies have shown that VA gives more valid causes of death than routine death certificate data in many developing countries [11], [12], [13], [14], [15].

Plosone

The main reasons for rejects were MD not accepted as valid causes of death and iatrogenicity.

BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making

Patient recruitment strategies may also be less valid, causing problems in response rates [ 20].

BMC Psychiatry

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "valid cause", ensure that the context clearly establishes what the cause is and why it is considered valid. Provide supporting evidence or reasoning to strengthen your argument.

Common error

Avoid using "valid cause" to describe a reason that is merely convenient or superficially justifiable. Ensure that the cause genuinely holds up to scrutiny and aligns with established standards of reason or evidence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "valid cause" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or preposition. It indicates that there exists a legitimate and justifiable reason or motive behind a particular action, belief, or situation, as shown in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

45%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "valid cause" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase that indicates a good, reasonable, and justifiable reason for something. According to Ludwig, the phrase functions as a noun phrase and is frequently used in news and media and scientific contexts. While the phrase is not exceedingly common, it serves a crucial purpose in providing justification and rationale. When using "valid cause", ensure the context clearly demonstrates the nature and validity of the cause, as it is important to provide supporting evidence to reinforce your argument.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

justifiable reason

Replaces "cause" with "reason", emphasizing the rationale behind an action or belief.

legitimate basis

Substitutes "valid" with "legitimate" and "cause" with "basis", highlighting the lawfulness or acceptability of the foundation for something.

good justification

Uses "good" instead of "valid" and "justification" in place of "cause", focusing on the quality of the reason provided.

sound argument

Replaces "cause" with "argument", shifting the focus to the logical support for a claim or action.

reasonable explanation

Emphasizes the clarity and logic behind the given reason, using "explanation" instead of "cause".

defensible rationale

Focuses on the ability to defend the reasoning behind an action, using "rationale" as a synonym for "cause".

acceptable motive

Highlights the permissibility or suitability of the reason behind an action, substituting "cause" with "motive".

tenable ground

Uses "tenable" to indicate the defensibility of the "ground", or reason, for something.

meritorious motive

Uses "meritorious" instead of "valid" focusing on the worthiness or deservingness of the reason or motive.

worthwhile justification

Substitutes "valid" with "worthwhile" indicating that the reason is valuable or important.

FAQs

How can I use "valid cause" in a sentence?

You can use "valid cause" to describe a justifiable reason for an action or belief. For example, "The employee had a "valid cause" for resigning from their position".

What is a situation where someone might need a "valid cause"?

A "valid cause" is often required in legal contexts, such as providing a reason for terminating a contract or initiating a lawsuit. It is also crucial in debates or arguments, where a "valid cause" supports a particular viewpoint.

What phrases are similar in meaning to "valid cause"?

Phrases like "justifiable reason", "legitimate basis", or "sound argument" can be used as alternatives to "valid cause", depending on the specific context.

How does a "valid cause" differ from a "good reason"?

While both terms suggest a satisfactory explanation, "valid cause" implies a higher standard of justification and often suggests adherence to formal or objective criteria, whereas "good reason" might be sufficient within a more subjective or informal context.