would be justified

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "would be justified" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing whether an action or decision is reasonable or warranted under certain circumstances. Example: "Given the circumstances, her decision to leave early would be justified."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

I knew the chills would be justified.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

If so, his contempt would be justified.

The New York Times - Books

That any wars would be justified.

The Guardian - Opinion

Such a response would be justified for four reasons.

The Economist

If it does, then states would be justified in preventing enforcement.

The New York Times

Plainly Mr Tsvangirai would be justified in calling for a boycott.

The Economist

To do it again would be justified only in the direst straits.There are other Russian wheezes.

The Economist

Central American governments would be justified if they were cautious about sharing sensitive information.

The Economist

Mr. Frank said that liberals would be justified in holding Mr. Obama accountable for this decision.

The New York Times

But, given China's missile build-up and its belligerent words, it would be justified.

The Economist

In that case, the higher fees the manager charges would be justified.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "would be justified", ensure the context clearly establishes the conditions under which the action or belief is considered valid. This helps avoid ambiguity and strengthens your argument.

Common error

Avoid overuse of the passive voice when using "would be justified". While grammatically correct, excessive passive voice can make your writing sound weak. Consider rephrasing to use active voice where appropriate for a more direct and impactful statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "would be justified" functions as a modal verb phrase, indicating a conditional state of being reasonable or permissible. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "would be justified" is a versatile and grammatically sound phrase used to express that something is reasonable or permissible under specific conditions. As noted by Ludwig AI, its usage is correct and prevalent across various contexts, especially in news and media, and scientific discussions. When writing, ensure the context is clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. Consider alternatives like "would be warranted" or "would be understandable" to fine-tune the specific nuance. Avoiding overuse of the passive voice can also enhance the clarity and impact of your writing when using this phrase. Therefore, "would be justified" is a strong, valuable phrase to keep in your vocabulary.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

would be justifiable

Very close synonym, suggesting the action can be shown to be right or reasonable.

would be warranted

Focuses on whether an action is officially or legally sanctioned.

would be legitimate

Emphasizes the lawfulness or authenticity of a reason or action.

would be defensible

Indicates that an action or decision can be argued for and protected against criticism.

would be understandable

Highlights the comprehensibility and acceptance of a decision, even if not ideal.

would be reasonable

Highlights the rationality and logic behind a decision or action.

would be permissible

Focuses on whether an action is allowed or not forbidden.

would be acceptable

Indicates that an action is satisfactory or adequate in a given situation.

would be vindicated

Suggests that actions will eventually be proven right or cleared of blame.

would be excusable

Focuses on whether a mistake or fault can be forgiven or understood.

FAQs

How can I use "would be justified" in a sentence?

Use "would be justified" to express that an action, feeling, or belief is reasonable or acceptable under specific circumstances. For example, "Given the evidence, his concerns "would be justified"."

What are some alternatives to "would be justified"?

Alternatives include "would be warranted", "would be legitimate", or "would be understandable", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "would be justified" or "would be justifiable"?

Both "would be justified" and "would be justifiable" are grammatically correct and very similar in meaning. The choice often depends on stylistic preference, although "would be justified" may be slightly more common in general usage.

In what contexts is "would be justified" most commonly used?

"Would be justified" is commonly used in news articles, academic papers, and formal discussions to evaluate the appropriateness or validity of certain actions or viewpoints.