justification

/ˌdʒʌstɪfɪˈkeɪʃn/ (bre, ipa) · /ˌdʒʌstɪfɪˈkeɪʃn/ (ame, ipa) · /ˌjə-stə-fə-ˈkā-shən/ (ame, mw)

justification — 名詞

  • justificationsingular
  • justificationsplural

1. a reason, explanation, or excuse that someone offers to show why an action, beli

1.名詞B2
釋義

理由；辯解

為行為或信念提供的合理說明

a reason, explanation, or excuse that someone offers to show why an action, belief, or decision is right or acceptable

例句

Rachel offered no justification for arriving late to the staff meeting.

Rachel 沒有為會議遲到提出任何理由。

offer + justification + for + gerund

There is no moral justification for treating people unfairly, no matter the situation.

無論情況如何，都沒有任何道德理由可以不公平地對待他人。

collocation: moral justification

同義詞
  • reason

    more general; does not carry the defensive nuance of 'justification'

  • explanation

    neutral; may not imply that the action needed defending

  • excuse

    often implies the reason is weak or apologetic; more informal

  • rationale

    more formal; focuses on logical principles behind a decision

文法句型

justification + for + noun/gerund

justification + of + noun

justification + that-clause

用法筆記

Commonly followed by the preposition 'for' (justification for [something]) or 'of' (justification of [a decision]). The that-clause form (justification that…) is more formal.

常見錯誤

❌She gave justification to her actions.
✅She gave a justification for her actions.
💡'justification' requires the preposition 'for', not 'to'.
❌I need a justification of why you did it.
✅I need a justification for why you did it.
💡use 'for' with reasons and explanations.

2. the act of showing or proving that an action, decision, or belief is reasonable,

2.名詞B2
釋義

辯護；正當化

證明某行為合理或正確的過程

the act of showing or proving that an action, decision, or belief is reasonable, necessary, or correct

例句

The report provides a detailed justification for the proposed budget cuts.

這份報告為所提的預算削減提供了詳細的辯護。

provide + [adj] + justification + for + noun

In justification of his actions, Hiro pointed to the company's written safety rules.

Hiro 為了替自己的行為辯護，指出了公司的書面安全規範。

in justification of + noun

同義詞
  • defense

    can imply a more vigorous or oppositional stance; common in legal contexts

  • vindication

    stronger; implies that the action was proven correct after doubt

文法句型

in justification of + noun

provide + justification + for + noun

用法筆記

Often appears in the fixed phrase 'in justification of' + noun. Unlike sense 1, this sense is uncountable and refers to the process rather than a specific reason. Common with verbs like 'provide', 'offer', and 'serve as'.

常見錯誤

❌He gave a justification for his behavior' (when meaning the act of justifying).
✅He offered justification for his behavior
💡when referring to the act, 'justification' is uncountable and doesn't need an article.

3. a fact, condition, or set of circumstances that makes an action or decision reas

3.名詞C1
釋義

事實依據

使某行為合理或必要的事實或情況

a fact, condition, or set of circumstances that makes an action or decision reasonable or necessary

例句

The storm provided sufficient justification for closing the school early.

暴風雨為學校提早放學提供了充足的正當理由。

sufficient justification + for + gerund

Without strong justification, the judge dismissed the request for a new trial.

在缺乏充分依據的情況下，法官駁回了重新審理的請求。

without + [adj] + justification

同義詞
  • grounds

    often plural; more legal or formal in tone

  • basis

    broader; can refer to any foundation, not necessarily moral

文法句型

justification + for + noun/gerund

justification + to-infinitive

用法筆記

Distinguish from sense 1 (REASON GIVEN): sense 1 focuses on the reason a person states or offers, while this sense refers to the objective factual basis that warrants an action. Subject is often an event, statistic, or factual condition.

常見錯誤

❌The data is a justification for the change' (when the data is evidence).
✅The data provides justification for the change
💡facts and conditions 'provide' or 'serve as' justification rather than 'being' it.