without reasonable cause

USAGE SUMMARY

"without reasonable cause" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used in a legal context, when referring to lack of justification for an action. For example, "The employer dismissed the employee without reasonable cause."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

It also contains powers for the government to apprehend without reasonable cause to suspect".

The Guardian

You can't just trawl around for dirt without reasonable cause for specific suspicion.

The Guardian

A set time-limit for settling invoices must surely be introduced, with fines for failing to pay up without reasonable cause.

The Guardian - Opinion

The Met said that though it had advocated remanding people in custody it did not amount to a policy of not issuing cautions or denying people bail without reasonable cause.

The Guardian

The case suggests how many hundreds or thousands of other people may now, or may soon, be detained and deported without visibility, without legal advice, without reasonable cause, at the expense of their families — and to the deepening shame of America's place in the world.

The New Yorker

Officers will not randomly search individuals or groups without reasonable cause to suspect an offence".

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

Even though the patient was asymptomatic, she was followed up monthly with physical examinations and blood tests (Fig. 2), and 8 weeks after ID another mild CRP elevation (1.6 mg/dL) was noticed without reasonable causes, except minimal scar inflammation and extrusion of suture material.

Journal of Orthopaedics and Traumatology

Ten years later, she filed a declaration that said: "During the course of our marriage... (Cochran has) without any reasonable cause, provocation or justification physically struck, beat and inflicted severe injury up on the person of the Petitioner.... "....

Los Angeles Times

Provider 15 04, with 13 years of experience at the facility of interview, acknowledged that refusal was difficult for women to voice, since women interpreted the HIV test as "orders from the Ministry of Health" and "she cannot violate an order without a reasonable cause".

BMC Public Health

"It says reasonable cause.

The New York Times - Sports

Fowler Justice Paul Lamson ruled on Thursday that there is reasonable cause to believe Vaisey committed felony kidnapping, and ordered she be held without bail.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "without reasonable cause" in legal writing, ensure you define what constitutes "reasonable cause" within the specific context to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "without reasonable cause" interchangeably with "without reasonable suspicion". "Reasonable suspicion" is a lower legal standard than "reasonable cause"; the latter requires more concrete evidence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "without reasonable cause" typically functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate the absence of justification for an action. It specifies the conditions under which an action is considered inappropriate or unlawful. Ludwig confirms that this phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "without reasonable cause" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed phrase, particularly within legal and news contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and provides numerous examples demonstrating its use. The phrase serves to denote actions lacking legitimate justification, often implying a violation of rights or ethical standards. When employing this phrase, ensure clarity regarding the definition of "reasonable cause" within the specific context and avoid confusion with similar terms like "without reasonable suspicion". Key sources using this phrase include The Guardian, The New York Times, and Huffington Post. Related phrases include "without justifiable reason" and "without legitimate grounds".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

without justifiable reason

Focuses on the absence of a defensible or legitimate rationale.

without legitimate grounds

Emphasizes the lack of a lawful or proper basis for an action.

without valid justification

Highlights the absence of a sound or acceptable explanation.

absent due cause

Uses more formal, legal language to express the lack of a legally sufficient reason.

lacking sufficient basis

Indicates a deficiency in the factual or logical foundation for an action.

without any basis in fact

Stresses the absence of factual support or evidence.

unsubstantiated

Implies that a claim or action is not supported by evidence or proof.

unwarranted

Suggests that an action is not justified or deserved.

gratuitously

Implies an action is done freely or without any prompting or reason.

arbitrarily

Indicates that a decision or action is based on random choice or personal whim, rather than any reason or system.

FAQs

What does "without reasonable cause" mean?

The phrase "without reasonable cause" means that there is no justifiable or legitimate reason for an action or decision. It implies a lack of sufficient grounds or evidence to support what was done.

How is "without reasonable cause" used in legal contexts?

In law, "without reasonable cause" often refers to actions taken "without legal justification", such as unlawful arrests or dismissals. It signifies that the action was not based on sound legal principles or sufficient evidence.

What are some alternatives to the phrase "without reasonable cause"?

Some alternatives include "without valid justification", "without legitimate grounds", or "absent due cause". The best choice depends on the specific context and level of formality required.

What's the difference between "without reasonable cause" and "without probable cause"?

"Without probable cause" indicates a lack of sufficient evidence to warrant an arrest or search. "Without reasonable cause" /s/without+reasonable+cause generally refers to a broader lack of justification for an action, which may or may not involve legal proceedings. Probable cause is a higher standard than reasonable cause.