weak rationale

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "weak rationale" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a justification or reasoning that lacks strength or validity in an argument or discussion. Example: "The committee dismissed the proposal due to its weak rationale, which failed to address the key concerns raised by stakeholders."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

It was a weak rationale.

The New Yorker

It would involve the government arguing, as in Windsor, that the heightened-scrutiny test should be applied to Proposition 8, the logical extension of which is a rejection of Prop 8's marriage restriction, as its only justification is based on the weak rationale of custom or, worse, prejudice.

The New Yorker

Whereas the zinc lozenges may produce side effects, there is only a weak rationale for physicians to recommend zinc for the treatment of the common cold.

Wikipedia

"Although it is possible that oral zinc preparations impact symptoms of the common cold," Science said, "there is currently insufficient evidence to recommend its use in children, and only a weak rationale for use in otherwise healthy adults".

Huffington Post

The report chastised the bureau for having a "weak" rationale for some of its investigations; investigating where there was "little indication of any possible federal crimes"; and extending "the duration of investigations involving advocacy groups or their members without adequate basis".

Huffington Post

None of the five fatigue studies could be classed as either MA or TA [ 26- 30] and all studies had a weak rationale for the chosen treatment.

BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

And the one that is "good" seems to actually have a weaker rationale than the one who is "evil".

TechCrunch

The invasion of privacy was extreme and the security rationale weak.

The New York Times

However, this age difference was not considered problematic, because it was known already from MMT results that many of the patients were weak, and the rationale for testing normal subjects was not to make direct comparisons with patients regarding QF force results.

Arthritis Research and Therapy

His rationale is weak.

The New York Times

"While we believe the department's rationale is weak," she added, "we are committed to resolving the issues" about the land.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When critiquing an argument, using "weak rationale" is more professional and less accusatory than saying someone is "wrong". It focuses on the logic rather than the person.

Common error

While appropriate, be mindful of overusing "weak rationale" in formal analyses. Consider more precise terms like "unsubstantiated", "speculative", or "circumstantial" depending on the specific flaw in reasoning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "weak rationale" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "weak" modifies the noun "rationale". As Ludwig AI suggests, it describes the quality of a reason or justification as lacking strength or validity.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

41%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "weak rationale" is a grammatically correct and usable English phrase that describes a justification or reasoning lacking strength or validity. Ludwig AI confirms its appropriateness. It is most commonly found in News & Media and Scientific contexts, with a neutral to formal tone. While not extremely common, it effectively conveys the idea of an unsubstantiated or easily challenged argument. Alternatives include "shaky rationale", "flimsy justification", and "poor reasoning". When using this phrase, focus on the logic rather than the person making the argument and consider more specific terms depending on the flaw you want to emphasize.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

shaky rationale

Emphasizes instability or unreliability in the justification.

feeble rationale

Highlights the inadequacy or ineffectiveness of the reasoning.

flimsy rationale

Suggests the justification is easily disproven or lacks substance.

poor justification

Focuses on the substandard quality of the supporting evidence.

tenuous reasoning

Highlights the weak or uncertain nature of the logical connection.

insufficient justification

Emphasizes the lack of adequate support or evidence for the action or belief.

inadequate explanation

Focuses on the lack of clarity or completeness in the provided reason.

unconvincing argument

Indicates that the rationale fails to persuade or convince.

lame excuse

Implies a weak and unoriginal reason or justification.

questionable basis

Suggests the foundation for the reasoning is doubtful or uncertain.

FAQs

How can I use "weak rationale" in a sentence?

You can use "weak rationale" to describe an argument or decision that lacks a strong or logical basis. For example: "The proposal was rejected due to its "weak rationale"." or "The justification provided for the budget cuts had a "weak rationale" and was easily challenged".

What are some alternatives to "weak rationale"?

Alternatives to "weak rationale" include phrases like "flimsy justification", "poor reasoning", or "shaky rationale". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

What does it mean to say that something has a "weak rationale"?

Saying something has a "weak rationale" means the underlying reason or justification is not strong, logical, or well-supported. It suggests that the argument is easily challenged or dismissed.

Is there a difference between "weak rationale" and "poorly reasoned"?

While similar, "weak rationale" refers specifically to the underlying justification, whereas "poorly reasoned" describes the flawed process of arriving at a conclusion. You might say the conclusion was "poorly reasoned" because it relies on a "weak rationale".