which is legitimate

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "which is legitimate" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to clarify or emphasize the validity or authenticity of something mentioned previously in the text. Example: "The claim made by the researcher was supported by substantial evidence, which is legitimate in the context of scientific inquiry."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

I think people vote Ukip from a frustration with politics, which is legitimate, and which politicians have to listen to".

The Guardian

"The justification for secrecy is usually given to protect the reputations of everyone involved – which is legitimate – and the need to conduct the trial as unencumbered by outside influences," he said.

Independent

"Can you explain the Bush Doctrine again, Rummy Sensei?" "We start with self-defense, which is legitimate, and journey up to anticipatory self-defense, which has to do with history and real estate.

The New York Times

On the remain side, some have gone beyond reminding us that Cox's killing should prompt a new civility, which is legitimate, to hinting that it is an argument in itself to stay in the EU, which is not.

The Guardian - Opinion

"It doesn't matter to some councils whether the material gets incinerated - which is legitimate, in that it is turning waste into energy - or whether it is returned to its former state.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Taxation requires developing an extensive administrative apparatus of tax collectors, auditors, and census takers, which is legitimate enough to raise taxes voluntarily or strong enough to take them if the citizens don't want to pay.

The Washington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

"Secrecy cloaks not only the operations, but their justification and rationale, which are legitimate subjects of public interest".

The New York Times

They warned that "investors in companies which carry out activities which are legitimate, but may be controversial" would have their privacy compromised.

The Guardian - Opinion

The agency is advising another four institutions, which are legitimate businesses, to make clear to prospective students that they cannot award UK degrees.

The Guardian

This startling admission became wrapped up in the power-shift theory, which was legitimate, on Sunday night, given the scale and manner of City's conquest.

The Guardian - Sport

There are lots of criticisms, many of which are legitimate, to be said about his political views or his personal expressions or the way he put things or his agenda.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "which is legitimate" to clearly indicate that a preceding statement or action is valid, justified, or in accordance with accepted standards. Ensure the context supports the claim of legitimacy by providing sufficient reasoning or evidence.

Common error

Avoid using "which is legitimate" without clearly establishing why something is considered legitimate. Ensure the reader understands the basis for your assessment to prevent ambiguity or misinterpretation. Always clarify the criteria against which the legitimacy is being judged.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "which is legitimate" functions as a nonrestrictive relative clause, providing additional information about a preceding noun or clause. Ludwig AI confirms that this structure is grammatically sound and serves to offer an assessment or judgment on the validity or acceptability of the subject it modifies.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

30%

Science

30%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "which is legitimate" is a relative clause used to validate or justify a preceding idea. It's grammatically sound and functions to provide additional information that confirms the acceptability of something. While versatile, clarifying the basis for legitimacy strengthens its impact. The Ludwig AI results show that it frequently appears in news, academic, and scientific contexts, indicating its suitability for both formal and informal settings. Remember to establish a clear context when using this phrase to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that is legitimate

Switches from a relative pronoun to a demonstrative pronoun to specify the legitimacy of an item.

what is legitimate

Changes the structure to a question about legitimacy.

that is justified

Replaces 'legitimate' with 'justified', focusing on whether there's a valid reason.

that is valid

Uses 'valid' instead of 'legitimate', emphasizing the correctness or soundness.

that is acceptable

Substitutes 'legitimate' with 'acceptable', highlighting whether it meets certain standards or criteria.

that is permissible

Replaces 'legitimate' with 'permissible', stressing the allowance or authorization aspect.

what is considered legitimate

Specifies that legitimacy is based on consideration or opinion.

that is authentic

Uses 'authentic' instead of 'legitimate', focusing on whether something is genuine.

that is bona fide

Replaces 'legitimate' with the Latin phrase 'bona fide', emphasizing good faith or genuineness.

that is rightful

Substitutes 'legitimate' with 'rightful', emphasizing the just or morally correct nature.

FAQs

How can I use "which is legitimate" in a sentence?

Use "which is legitimate" to add a clause that confirms the validity or acceptability of a preceding statement. For instance, "The company's financial practices adhere to all regulatory standards, which is legitimate and inspires investor confidence".

What are some alternatives to "which is legitimate"?

You can use alternatives such as "that is valid", "that is justified", or "that is acceptable" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it always necessary to explain why something "which is legitimate" is so?

While not always grammatically required, providing context for why something "which is legitimate" enhances clarity and strengthens your argument. Briefly stating the reasons avoids ambiguity.

What's the difference between saying something is "legitimate" versus saying it is "legal"?

"Legitimate" implies something is in accordance with accepted standards or principles, while "legal" means it complies with the law. Something can be legal but not legitimate (e.g., a loophole), and vice versa. If you want to say that something is in accordance with the law, use "legal".