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what's the justification
Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

Alternative expressions(4)

what's the reason

what is the rationale

what is the basis for this

what is the explanation for this

Table of contents

Usage summary

Human-verified examples

Expert writing tips

Linguistic context

Ludwig's wrap-up

Alternative expressions

FAQs

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

What's the justification of your intrusion?

News & Media

The New York Times

But what's the justification today?

News & Media

The Guardian - TV & Radio

So what's the justification for this year's whitewash?

News & Media

The Guardian - Music

"We would never say things can't be improved but what's the justification?

News & Media

The Guardian - Business

The retributivist outlook often brings with it in addition to an answer to the question, what's the justification for punishment?

Academia

Yale University

What's the justification for shedding a run producer (Carlos Quentin) or another rotation starter (Gavin Floyd) when "All In" is this season's mantra?

News & Media

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

It's what hasn't happened, not what has, is the justification.

News & Media

Huffington Post

What is the justification for the Crucifixion of Christ?

News & Media

The New Yorker

What is the justification for staying one additional day?

News & Media

The New York Times

And what is the justification for this bad advice?

News & Media

The New Yorker

So what is the justification for the change, apart from electoral advantage?

News & Media

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "what's the justification", ensure the context is clear. The phrase implies a challenge or request for explanation, so the tone should be appropriate for the situation.

Common error

While grammatically correct, using "what's the justification" in very casual conversations can sound overly formal or confrontational. Consider using simpler alternatives like "why" or "what's the reason" in such cases.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

86%

Authority and reliability

4.1/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "what's the justification" functions as an interrogative expression used to solicit a reason, explanation, or basis for a decision, action, or belief. As Ludwig examples show, it seeks to understand why something is considered valid or acceptable. The phrase prompts for a reasoned defense or rationale.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "what's the justification" is an interrogative phrase used to ask for the reasons or basis behind an action, decision, or belief. Ludwig examples show it's grammatically correct and most often used in news, academic, and scientific contexts, with a neutral to professional register. While there are instances, like personal conversations, where you might need to adjust tone for informality. It's crucial to use the phrase when you are looking for a solid and formal understanding. You can use alternatives such as "what is the rationale" or "what is the reasoning behind it" depending on the context.

More alternative expressions(6)

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

what is the rationale

Replaces "justification" with "rationale", offering a more formal synonym.

what is the reasoning behind it

Focuses on the thought process or logic used to arrive at a decision or action.

what is the basis for this

Highlights the fundamental principle or foundation upon which something is built.

what are the grounds for it

Emphasizes the legal or factual reasons supporting a particular stance or action.

what is the explanation for this

Seeks a clear account or clarification of why something is the way it is.

why is this considered acceptable

Queries the reasons for accepting something, especially when it might be questionable.

what supports this decision

Asks about the evidence or arguments that validate a particular choice.

on what grounds is this justified

Inquires about the reasons or evidence that legitimize something.

what legitimizes this action

Focuses on the factors that make an action permissible or valid.

where is the logic in this

Questions the logical consistency or coherence of a particular idea or action.

FAQs

How can I use "what's the justification" in a sentence?

The phrase "what's the justification" is used to ask for the reason or basis for something. For example, "What's the justification for increasing the budget?" or "What's the justification for this decision?"

What's a more formal way to ask "what's the justification"?

More formal alternatives include "What is the rationale?", "What is the basis?", or "On what grounds is this justified?"

What are some less confrontational ways to ask "what's the justification"?

Instead of "what's the justification", you could ask "What's the reason for this?", "Why is this necessary?", or "Could you explain the reasoning behind this?"

What is the difference between "what's the justification" and "what's the reason"?

"What's the justification" often implies a need for a more formal or detailed explanation, whereas "what's the reason" is a more general inquiry about the cause or purpose.

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Table of contents

Usage summary

Human-verified examples

Expert writing tips

Linguistic context

Ludwig's wrap-up

Alternative expressions

FAQs

Source & Trust

86%

Authority and reliability

4.1/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences:

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what's the justificationGrammar usage guide and real-world examples

what's the justification
Grammar usage guide and real-world examples