with good cause

USAGE SUMMARY

'with good cause' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to emphasize a valid reason, particularly when defending an action or decision. For example, "We chose to cancel the meeting with good cause--one of the attendees had a family emergency."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

And with good cause.

Yale University

The natives were audibly restless and with good cause.

The Guardian - Sport

This is Britain's bestselling bronzer, and with good cause.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

He died in 1974 aged 91, still a patriot but with good cause to be bitter.

The Guardian - Sport

Miramax is said to have fretted over possible charges of anti-Americanism, and with good cause.

The New Yorker

Care home operators complain loudly, and sometimes with good cause, about being over-regulated.

The Guardian

They called it "uplotneniye" -- literally, compressing or tightening up -- and with good cause.

The New York Times

He saw that Liz was peeved, and hurt, and with good cause.

The New Yorker

He has criticized American military interventions — sometimes, it must be said, with good cause.

The New Yorker

The auteur is aroused, perhaps, by his own art, and with good cause.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Indonesians have come to cherish their local freedoms, with good cause even if it means a white-elephant stadium or three.Correction: An earlier version of this article identified Yogyakarta as Java's second-largest city, which it is not.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "with good cause" to clearly and concisely justify actions, decisions, or beliefs, enhancing the credibility of your statement. It signals to the reader that there is a solid, defensible reason behind what you're saying.

Common error

Avoid using "with good cause" too frequently in your writing. Overuse can diminish its impact and make your writing sound repetitive. Opt for varied expressions such as "justifiably" or "for a valid reason" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "with good cause" functions primarily as an adverbial phrase. It modifies a verb or clause by providing the reason or justification for an action or state. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is used to emphasize a valid reason, particularly when defending an action or decision.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Academia

10%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Science

8%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "with good cause" is a prepositional phrase functioning as an adverbial modifier, used to justify actions or decisions. As Ludwig AI states, it emphasizes a valid reason, particularly when defending an action. The phrase is grammatically correct and sees very common usage across various contexts, especially in news and media. While versatile, avoid overuse and consider alternatives like "justifiably" for variety. Its neutral tone makes it appropriate for both formal and informal communication, ensuring clarity and credibility in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

for good reason

Similar to the original, emphasizing the strength and importance of the reason.

with justification

Replaces "cause" with "justification", maintaining the core meaning.

with reason

A more concise alternative, focusing on the presence of a rational basis.

for a valid reason

More explicit and straightforward, clarifying the reason's validity.

justifiably so

Adds emphasis to the validity of the reason, often used as a concluding remark.

on reasonable grounds

Formal and legalistic, suggesting a basis in established facts or principles.

justifiably

Single-word adverb replacing the phrase; emphasizes the action's validity.

legitimately

Highlights the lawfulness or permissibility of the action.

deservedly

Emphasizes that the action or outcome was earned or warranted.

appropriately

Suggests the action was suitable or fitting for the circumstances.

FAQs

How can I use "with good cause" in a sentence?

Use "with good cause" to explain or justify an action or decision. For example, "The event was canceled, "for good reason"; a severe storm was approaching".

What are some alternatives to "with good cause"?

You can use alternatives like "justifiably", "for a valid reason", or "with justification" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it formal or informal to use "with good cause"?

"With good cause" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. Its use depends on the overall tone of your writing. Alternatives like "on reasonable grounds" may be more appropriate for highly formal or legal contexts.

What does "with good cause" mean?

"With good cause" means having a valid or sufficient reason. It indicates that there is a legitimate basis or justification for an action, belief, or situation. It's synonymous with "for good reason" or "justifiably".