rationalise

IPA/ˈræʃ.ən.əl.aɪz/
IPA/ˈræʃ.ən.əl.aɪz/

rationalise — verb

  • rationalisepresent simple I / you / we / they
  • rationalises3rd person singular
  • rationalising-ing form
  • rationalisedpast simple

1. to invent seemingly logical reasons to explain or defend your own actions, decis

1.動詞及物B2
釋義

to invent seemingly logical reasons to explain or defend your own actions, decisions, or feelings, especially when the real motive is less acceptable

例句

Linh rationalised missing the team dinner by claiming she had to finish an urgent report.

rationalise + gerund (missing) for justifying behaviour

The more Daniel tried to rationalise his anger, the more frustrated his sister became.

同義詞
  • justify

    more neutral; justify can be sincere, while rationalise implies the reason is invented

  • excuse

    more informal and openly negative; 'excuse' is often used for minor faults

  • explain away

    phrasal verb; suggests dismissing something as unimportant

文法句型

rationalise + noun phrase / gerund

rationalise + noun phrase + as + noun phrase / gerund

rationalise + that-clause

用法筆記

This sense carries a critical tone — the speaker implies that the 'good reason' given is not the person's real motive. Frequently takes a gerund phrase (rationalise doing something) or a noun phrase as object.

常見錯誤

❌I rationalised the maths problem and found the answer.
✅I worked through the maths problem and found the answer.
💡'Rationalise' means to justify after the fact, not to think through a problem logically.
❌She rationalised the data carefully before writing the report.
✅She analysed the data carefully before writing the report.
💡Use 'analyse' for careful thinking; use 'rationalise' for making excuses.

2. to reorganise a business, system, or set of activities in order to make it more

2.動詞及物B2
釋義

to reorganise a business, system, or set of activities in order to make it more efficient, often by removing unnecessary parts or combining functions

例句

The hospital rationalised its services by closing two smaller clinics and expanding the main facility.

rationalise + organisation + by + gerund for efficiency

After the merger, the two banks rationalised their branch networks to remove overlapping offices.

同義詞
  • streamline

    more common; emphasises making processes smoother rather than cutting

  • restructure

    similar but does not necessarily imply cutting; can mean any change to the structure

  • reorganise

    broader; does not specifically imply cutting the unnecessary

文法句型

rationalise + noun phrase (organisation / system / operation)

rationalise + noun phrase + by + gerund

用法筆記

Almost always used in business, management, or organisational contexts. Subject is typically a person with authority or an institutional body. Never used for personal psychology — that is Sense 1 (MAKE EXCUSES).

常見錯誤

❌The government plans to rationalise the tax system by making it fairer.
✅The government plans to reform the tax system by making it fairer.
💡'Rationalise' implies cutting or combining for efficiency; 'reform' is broader and includes fairness.