a central reason for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a central reason for" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a primary or significant cause or explanation for something. Example: "A central reason for the project's success was the team's dedication and hard work."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

47 human-written examples

King had cited the investigation as a central reason for backing out of the deal.

The New York Times

"A central reason for that can be summed up in one word: Iraq".

The New Yorker

That process, they say, has been a central reason for the extraordinary sluggishness of the recovery.

The New York Times

In the final section we argue that a central reason for this lies in regulatory design and implementation.

The Quarterly Review of Economics and Finance

The cost of prescription drugs is a central reason for nonadherence, even for patients with drug insurance.

American Heart Journal

A central reason for the trend: the availability of newer, sexier and more powerful operating systems in the constitutional marketplace.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

13 human-written examples

A central reason [for Trump] has been the mainstreaming of a style of extremist conservative politics that for decades was regarded as unacceptable by most in the GOP.

The Washington Post

Paragraph 322 5) of the rules has been a central reason given for the Home Office's refusal of those in this group.

The Guardian

A stated central reason for the merger was the hospitals' prediction that they would jointly negotiate better reimbursement rates from insurance companies, but that never happened.

The New York Times

A central reason cited by the Obama administration for limiting support to the resistance to things like communications equipment is that it did not want arms flowing to Islamic radicals.

The New York Times

A11 Religion Journal A13 NEW YORK/REGION B1-5 M.T.A. Links Stadium Bid To Subway Extension Extending the No. 7 subway line to the Far West Side suddenly became a central reason cited by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority board for its decision to award the Jets the right to build a stadium.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a central reason for", ensure that it truly represents a core explanation, not just a contributing factor among many. Be prepared to substantiate why it is the central reason.

Common error

Avoid using "a central reason for" when the explanation is merely one of several equally important factors. This can mislead your audience and weaken your argument. Consider using "a contributing factor to" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a central reason for" functions as a noun phrase that introduces the primary explanation or justification for a particular occurrence. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is grammatically sound and commonly used to highlight the most significant factor in a given context.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

49%

Science

29%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a central reason for" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase that serves to highlight the primary explanation or justification for something. According to Ludwig, the phrase is versatile and appropriate for various contexts, particularly in news, scientific, and academic writing. When using this phrase, ensure that the reason you are presenting truly holds significant weight compared to other factors. While alternatives such as "a primary cause of" or "a key factor in" exist, "a central reason for" emphasizes the core rationale. Finally, avoid overstating the importance of a factor by using this phrase when it's merely one of several equally important contributors.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a primary cause of

Focuses on direct causation, emphasizing the origin of an event or situation.

a key factor in

Highlights the importance of a specific element contributing to an outcome.

a major contributor to

Emphasizes the significant role something plays in bringing about a result.

the main driver of

Suggests a force that propels or motivates a particular development.

a significant influence on

Highlights the considerable impact something has on a situation or outcome.

a crucial element for

Emphasizes the essential nature of something necessary for a specific purpose.

a pivotal aspect of

Highlights the turning-point quality, the key part of something.

the underlying motive for

Points to a less visible, fundamental impetus behind an action or decision.

the principal basis for

Indicates the foundational justification or rationale for something.

the predominant rationale for

Highlights the most compelling justification among several possibilities.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "a central reason for" in a sentence?

Use "a central reason for" to introduce the most important explanation or justification for a particular event, decision, or situation. Ensure the reason you present truly holds significant weight compared to other potential factors.

What are some alternatives to "a central reason for" that I can use to vary my writing?

You can use alternatives such as "a primary cause of", "a key factor in", or "the main driver of" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to use "the central reason for" instead of "a central reason for"?

Both "a central reason for" and "the central reason for" are grammatically correct, but they imply slightly different meanings. "A central reason for" suggests one important reason among potentially others, while "the central reason for" implies it is the single most important reason.

How does "a central reason for" differ from "one reason for"?

"A central reason for" indicates a primary and significant explanation, whereas "one reason for" simply introduces a reason without necessarily implying its relative importance. Therefore, "a central reason for" carries greater weight and should be used when highlighting the most significant factor.