a big reason why

USAGE SUMMARY

"a big reason why" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to introduce a clause that explains why something happened. For example, "A big reason why I decided to take the job was the chance to travel."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He's a big reason why we're here".

The New York Times - Sports

Moss is a big reason why.

The New York Times - Sports

Time may be a big reason why.

The Washington Post

Gonzalez was a big reason why.

The New York Times - Sports

That's a big reason why we lost".

The Guardian - Sport

That's a big reason why fans love him.

Independent

He was a big reason why I stayed here".

The New York Times

That's a big reason why Mark Pryor is struggling.

The New Yorker

That's a big reason why they're underrepresented in the electorate.

The Washington Post

That's a big reason why it worked as it did.

The Guardian - Music

"That is a big reason why this record exists.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a big reason why", ensure the sentence structure clearly connects the reason to the outcome. Avoid ambiguity by placing the 'why' clause immediately after the statement it explains.

Common error

While "a big reason why" is generally acceptable, overuse in formal writing can make your tone sound less professional. Opt for more sophisticated alternatives like "a significant factor" or "primarily due to" to maintain a formal tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a big reason why" functions as a causal connector, introducing an explanation or justification for a preceding statement. Ludwig examples showcase this function across various contexts, confirming its role in establishing cause-and-effect relationships.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

15%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a big reason why" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that serves as a causal connector, linking a situation to its explanation. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage and acceptability across various contexts, with a stronger presence in news and general writing compared to formal academic discourse. While versatile, writers should be mindful of the tone and opt for more formal alternatives like "primarily because of" or "a significant factor" in professional or scholarly settings. As a final point, this analysis emphasizes the phrase's effectiveness in conveying clear explanations, but also encourages writers to strategically choose synonyms to maintain consistency with the overall formality and register of their writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

primarily because of

Highlights the primary cause or reason.

a key factor in

Stresses the importance of being essential or crucial.

largely due to

More direct in attributing cause.

a notable cause of

Points out a cause that is worthy of attention or easily noticed.

a significant factor in

Emphasizes importance but uses a more formal tone.

the main driver behind

Highlights something that propels or motivates.

a major contributing element to

Highlights the contributory nature with a more academic feel.

a crucial component of

Emphasizes that something is essential and integral.

a considerable influence on

Focuses on the impact or influence.

an important aspect of

Refers to a specific part or feature that matters.

FAQs

How can I use "a big reason why" in a sentence?

You can use "a big reason why" to introduce an explanation for a situation. For example: "A big reason why the company is successful is its innovative marketing strategy."

What are some alternatives to "a big reason why"?

Consider alternatives like "a significant factor in", "primarily because of", or "largely due to" for a more formal tone.

Is it grammatically correct to use "a big reason why"?

Yes, "a big reason why" is grammatically correct and commonly used to explain causation.

In what kind of writing is "a big reason why" most appropriate?

"A big reason why" is versatile and can be used in various contexts. However, it is more common in general and news writing and less common in academic papers, where more formal phrasing is preferred.