valid justification

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "valid justification" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It is often used when discussing reasons or explanations for something, particularly in a formal or academic context. For example: - The study's results were met with skepticism, but the researcher provided a valid justification for their methods. - Before making any changes to the company policy, we must ensure that there is a valid justification for doing so. - The court requested a valid justification for the defendant's actions.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

25 human-written examples

"I see no valid justification for cloning pets.

The Guardian

That's not a valid justification for doing anything.

The New York Times - Magazine

"It is a source of abuse and there is no valid justification for maintaining this system".

The Guardian

It is an absolute waste of money". "I see no valid justification for cloning pets.

The Guardian

Not knowing Columbia policy is not valid justification for failure to comply.

Columbia University

There is no question that I have a valid justification for my possession of AndroGel as defined by the Wada code.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

35 human-written examples

Those aren't valid justifications.

The New York Times

Justice John Paul Stevens, joined by Justices Stephen G. Breyer, Ruth Bader Ginsburg and David H. Souter, dissented, saying that both "reducing the importance of wealth as a criterion for public office and countering the perception that seats in the United States Congress are available for purchase by the wealthiest bidder" offered valid justifications for the amendment.

The New York Times

The emergency regulations stipulate that those are not valid justifications for denying treatment.

Los Angeles Times

The above are no longer "valid" justifications for sexual assault on college campuses.

Huffington Post

In order for the practice of discontinuing a constitutive treatment of VS or CS to be permitted legally and ethically, moral fictions about life-terminating decisions (in terms of intention, causation, and responsibility) must be accepted as valid justifications.

BMC Medical Ethics

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "valid justification" when you need to emphasize that a reason or explanation is not only logically sound but also ethically and legally acceptable. It is particularly useful in formal writing and professional contexts.

Common error

While "valid justification" is appropriate for formal settings, avoid using it in casual conversations. Overuse can make your language sound overly formal or pretentious. Opt for simpler alternatives like "good reason" or "fair enough" in informal contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "valid justification" functions as a noun phrase, where "valid" modifies and characterizes the noun "justification". It indicates that the justification meets a certain standard of acceptability or soundness. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Science

29%

Academia

25%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

6%

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "valid justification" is a commonly used phrase that serves to emphasize the legitimacy and acceptability of a reason or explanation. As highlighted by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and suitable for various contexts, though particularly apt in formal and professional settings. While there exist numerous alternatives—such as "legitimate reason", "sound rationale", and "good cause"—the choice depends largely on the specific nuance you wish to convey. Remember, while the phrase is grammatically sound and useful in a range of scenarios, overusing it in casual settings can come across as overly formal. Keep in mind that this phrase is most frequently encountered in "News & Media", "Science", and "Academia".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

legitimate reason

Replaces "justification" with "reason", focusing on the basis for an action or belief; "legitimate" emphasizes the acceptability and lawfulness of said reason.

sound rationale

Substitutes "justification" with "rationale", highlighting the underlying principles. The addition of "sound" signals that the rationale is logical and well-supported.

good cause

Offers a simpler, more general alternative to "valid justification", particularly when the specific reasons are less important than the fact that there is an acceptable basis.

justifiable basis

Inverts the original phrase, putting the emphasis on "basis". "Justifiable" means that the foundation for the action can be defended.

defensible explanation

Emphasizes the act of explaining or defending a position. "Defensible" implies that the explanation can withstand scrutiny.

acceptable ground

Uses the term "ground" to refer to the basis of a decision or action. "Acceptable" suggests that the basis is reasonable and satisfies relevant standards.

sufficient warrant

Replaces "justification" with a term indicating authority. "Sufficient" indicates that there is enough support or proof.

cogent argument

Shifts the focus to the persuasiveness of the reasoning. "Cogent" indicates that the argument is clear, logical, and convincing.

genuine pretext

Suggests an apparent reason put forward to conceal the real reason. In some contexts, could imply deceit.

well-founded reason

Suggests that the reason has firm base in reality. "Well-founded" emphasizes that the reason is not whimsical.

FAQs

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

You can use "valid justification" to explain or defend an action, decision, or belief. For example, "The company needed a "legitimate reason" to terminate the contract" or "The research provided a "sound rationale" for the new policy."

What are some alternatives to "valid justification"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "legitimate reason", "sound rationale", "good cause", or "justifiable basis".

Is "valid reason" the same as "valid justification"?

While similar, "valid justification" often implies a more formal and thorough defense, while "valid reason" is a broader term for an acceptable cause or explanation. "Justification" suggests a more in-depth reasoning or defense.

Can "valid justification" be used in legal contexts?

Yes, "valid justification" is often used in legal contexts to describe reasons or explanations that meet specific legal requirements or standards. In legal proceedings, presenting a "valid justification" can be essential for defending actions or decisions.