a clear reason for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a clear reason for" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when explaining the justification or rationale behind a decision, action, or situation. Example: "There must be a clear reason for the sudden change in policy that we need to address."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

40 human-written examples

There is a clear reason for this.

Independent

Ordinarily that would be a clear reason for the Fed to intervene.

The New York Times

Caught between bar and restaurant, it lacked a clear reason for being, unusual for a Danny Meyer restaurant.

The New York Times - Food

When we were going through his things, I didn't have a clear reason for taking this purple tuxedo shirt.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The company did not give a clear reason for the results, saying in a release that they were "near the low end of our expected range".

The New York Times

But Perez has not given a clear reason for his desire to stay in the major leagues, where he has been relegated to an almost nonexistent role.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

20 human-written examples

Besides all the points that Richard Rothstein noted, a clear reason merit pay for teachers should not be based on test scores was the debacle of discovering last year that some New York City teachers had helped their students cheat on tests.

The New York Times

"The universities are hugely important but the status quo is not working well at the moment for the students, for taxpayers and the government for a clear reason," he told the BBC Radio 4's Today programme.

The Guardian

American children in 2010 have a bright, clear reason for being.

The New York Times - Magazine

But, as she tells "Oprah: Where Are They Now?" in the above clip, she had a very clear reason for doing so.

Huffington Post

Name the date, time and location, along with giving a very clear reason for the meeting.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a clear reason for", ensure that the reason is indeed unambiguous and easily understood by your audience. Avoid vague or convoluted explanations that could undermine the clarity you're aiming for.

Common error

Avoid using "a clear reason for" when the justification is subjective or open to interpretation. If the reason is debatable, consider phrasing it as "a possible reason for" or "a potential explanation for" to avoid misleading your reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a clear reason for" functions as a noun phrase that introduces an explanation or justification. It highlights that the reason provided is easily understandable. Ludwig examples confirm this usage across different contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a clear reason for" is a versatile and grammatically sound expression used to introduce an easily understandable justification or explanation. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is common in News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business contexts. When using this phrase, ensure that the reason is indeed unambiguous and avoid overstating clarity when the justification is subjective. Remember to consider alternatives such as "a distinct cause for" or "an unambiguous rationale for" to add nuance to your writing. The presence of numerous examples confirms that the AI's assertion of correctness is reliable.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a distinct cause for

Emphasizes the cause as being easily distinguishable or noticeable.

an unambiguous rationale for

Highlights the rationale as being straightforward and not open to misinterpretation.

a well-defined justification for

Focuses on the justification being thoroughly explained and supported.

a transparent explanation for

Suggests the explanation is open and easily understood, with no hidden aspects.

a compelling motive for

Indicates a strong and persuasive reason influencing an action or decision.

a definite ground for

Stresses the solid and certain basis or foundation for something.

an evident basis for

Highlights the readily apparent foundation or support for an argument or belief.

a palpable incentive for

Focuses on the incentive being tangible and easily recognized.

a manifest purpose for

Emphasizes the purpose as being clear and obvious to all.

a demonstrable account for

Indicates the account can be proven or shown to be true.

FAQs

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

Use "a clear reason for" to introduce an easily understandable justification or explanation. For example, "There is "a clear reason for" the policy change, which is to improve efficiency".

What are some alternatives to "a clear reason for"?

You can use alternatives like "a distinct cause for", "an unambiguous rationale for", or "a well-defined justification for" depending on the specific context.

Is it redundant to say "a very clear reason for"?

While not grammatically incorrect, "a very clear reason for" can sometimes be redundant. "A clear reason for" already implies a high degree of understanding. Consider if the "very" adds significant emphasis or if it can be omitted for conciseness.

What's the difference between "a clear reason for" and "the reason for"?

"A clear reason for" emphasizes the understandability and explicitness of the reason, while "the reason for" simply refers to the cause or explanation, without necessarily implying clarity. The first is stronger in asserting comprehension.