Rational is usually followed by for when giving a reason or justification. Rational in is less common and normally refers to behaviour or thinking within an area or activity.
Use rational for to describe a sensible reason or justification: a rational explanation for the delay. Use rational in when talking about being logical within a process, field, or situation: rational in negotiations. The two forms are not interchangeable.
These forms are not interchangeable. Choose the construction by meaning, not by which preposition appears most often.
Use rational for when something provides a sensible explanation, basis, or justification.
Use rational in to describe logical behaviour or thinking during an activity or situation.
The same subject can take different constructions because each sentence answers a different question.
Some combinations appear in real text but do not mean what learners often assume.
Use for, not in, when introducing the reason or explanation.
✕ a rational explanation in the delay ✓ a rational explanation for the delayRational is an adjective. Rationale is the noun meaning the reasoning behind something.
✕ the rational of the decision ✓ the rationale of the decisionChoose the expression that matches the intended meaning.
Paste the complete sentence below. Linguix checks the preposition together with grammar, spelling, punctuation, and style.
Yes. It is the usual choice when talking about reasons, explanations, or justification.
Yes. It means logical or sensible within business activity or behaviour.
Rational to is uncommon. Native speakers usually use rational about, rational in, or rational for depending on the meaning.
Create a free account to check complete texts, apply suggestions, and save your documents.
