a basic reason for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a basic reason for" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when explaining a fundamental cause or justification for something. Example: "A basic reason for the project's delay was the lack of resources and manpower."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

"But a basic reason for the unsuccessful effort lies in the lack of cooperation from the U.S. side". Mr. Yang said that when President Bush referred to the North Korea leader, Kim Jong Il, as a "tyrant" in late April, Mr. Bush "destroyed the atmosphere" for negotiations, undoing weeks of efforts to persuade North Korea that the United States would bargain in good faith.

The New York Times

And what practical reasonableness requires seems to be that each of the basic human goods be treated as what it truly is: a basic reason for action amongst other basic reasons whose integral directiveness is not to be cut down or deflected by subrational passions.

SEP

A basic reason for the recent drop is an ongoing trend in declining teen sex experience -- data from national surveys show sexual experience in teens has declined since the peak in 1988.

Vice

It was a basic reason for routine health statistics system improvement and introduction of new medical birth notification for birth monitoring with a broader set of data in 2001.

BioMed Research International

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

But Semo sees a more basic reason for politicians to avoid international investigators and oppose a Mexican version of the CICIG.

Vice

There's a basic reason not to vote for Gov. John Kasich, the ad proclaims: math.

The New York Times

There's a more basic reason for confidentiality as well.

Forbes

Well, Tyler Perry has a pretty basic reason for taking his prolific Madea character out of circulation.

Los Angeles Times

Moreover, the unrest seems unlikely to go away, for a basic reason.

The New York Times

Yet they do get made, often for a basic reason: a filmmaker has a desire to make one.

The New Yorker

The truth is, however, that neither of these approaches will lead to significant reductions in carbon emissions, and for a basic reason: Both Hansen and those he criticizes focus on pollution regulation and pricing to make fossil fuels more expensive, rather than on innovation to make clean energy cheap.

Yale University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a basic reason for", ensure that the reason you're presenting is indeed fundamental and not a secondary or superficial explanation. Consider whether a more precise term like 'cause', 'motive', or 'factor' might be more appropriate.

Common error

Avoid using "a basic reason for" when the reason is actually complex or multi-faceted. This can oversimplify the situation and mislead your audience. Instead, acknowledge the complexity and nuance of the explanation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a basic reason for" functions as a prepositional phrase introducing a fundamental justification or cause. As supported by Ludwig AI, it serves to highlight the underlying rationale behind an event, action, or decision.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

37%

Formal & Business

13%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a basic reason for" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase that serves to introduce a fundamental justification or cause. As Ludwig AI explains, it is suitable for various contexts. While the phrase is common in News & Media and Science contexts, it's important to use it judiciously. Ensure the reason you present is indeed fundamental and that a more precise term isn't needed. By understanding its function and usage patterns, you can effectively incorporate "a basic reason for" into your writing and communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a fundamental cause of

Emphasizes the foundational nature of the cause, shifting from 'reason' to 'cause'.

a primary motive behind

Replaces 'reason' with 'motive', highlighting intention or purpose.

a key factor in

Substitutes 'reason' with 'factor', suggesting one element among others.

the underlying rationale for

Uses more formal vocabulary, indicating a deeper, less obvious justification.

the principal justification for

Highlights the act of justifying or defending a decision or action.

the main impetus for

Focuses on what drives or initiates something.

the core explanation for

Highlights the central explanation.

a significant determinant of

Emphasizes the influence or control something has on an outcome.

the root cause of

Indicates the origin of a problem or situation.

the essential element in

Highlights the indispensable part.

FAQs

How can I use "a basic reason for" in a sentence?

Use "a basic reason for" to introduce a fundamental cause or justification. For example: "A basic reason for the company's success is its strong customer service."

What's a good alternative to "a basic reason for"?

You can use alternatives like "a fundamental cause of", "a primary motive behind", or "a key factor in" depending on the specific context.

Is it ever incorrect to use the phrase "a basic reason for"?

While grammatically correct, it can be misleading if the reason you're presenting isn't truly fundamental or if the situation is more complex than the phrase suggests. In such cases, alternatives offering nuance may be more appropriate.

What is the difference between "a basic reason for" and "the primary reason for"?

"A basic reason for" emphasizes the fundamental nature of the reason, while "the primary reason for" highlights that it's the most important reason, even if not necessarily the most fundamental. The choice depends on the intended emphasis.