a common reason for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a common reason for" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing frequently occurring causes or explanations for a particular situation or phenomenon. Example: "A common reason for project delays is poor communication among team members."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It is a common reason for terminating a pregnancy.

The New York Times

Revenge is a common reason for commando raids.

The Economist

Headaches are a common reason for consultation with a prevalence of 30%.

Revue Neurologique

This chapter concludes that insomnia is a common reason for discontinuation of the drugs.

Epilepsy and Sleep Physiological and Clinical Relationships

It is a common reason for children to be referred to paediatricians.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Acquiring new products is a common reason for acquisitions within the biotechnology industry.

The New York Times

Blunt abdominal trauma is a common reason for admission to the Emergency Department.

Injury

Nonspecific low back pain (LBP) is a common reason for accessing primary care.

Journal of Chiropractic Medicine

Coronary heart disease (CHD) is a common reason for emergency admission in England.

Public Health

Re-stenosis in the distal anastomosis of these grafts is a common reason for graft occlusion.

Ultrasound in Medicine & Biology

Noncardiac chest pain is a common reason for referral for manometric studies.

Nature

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To enhance clarity, follow "a common reason for" with a specific and concrete example to illustrate the point effectively.

Common error

Avoid using "a common reason for" when the reason is actually rare or specific to a niche situation. This can mislead readers and weaken your argument. Always verify the prevalence of the reason you are citing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a common reason for" functions as a prepositional phrase introducing a cause or explanation. It commonly connects a situation or event with a typical underlying factor. Ludwig AI confirms its widespread use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

56%

News & Media

26%

Academia

9%

Less common in

Wiki

1%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a common reason for" is a versatile phrase used to introduce a frequent cause or explanation for a situation. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used across diverse contexts, including science, news, and academia. Related phrases such as "a frequent cause of" and "a typical explanation for" can be used as alternatives. When using the phrase, ensure that the cited reason is genuinely common and avoid overstating its prevalence. The phrase serves to explain or justify by pointing to a frequently occurring cause and is suitable for both formal and informal communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a frequent cause of

This alternative replaces "reason" with "cause" and "common" with "frequent", emphasizing the role of something as a typical origin or source.

a typical explanation for

This alternative substitutes "reason" with "explanation" and "common" with "typical", highlighting the role of something as a usual clarification or justification.

a major factor behind

This option stresses the significant impact of something, framing it as a crucial element motivating or influencing a situation.

a prevalent factor in

This alternative uses "factor" instead of "reason" and "prevalent" instead of "common", emphasizing something's widespread influence.

a key contributor to

This phrase highlights the importance of something as a significant element that leads to a particular result.

a frequent justification for

Replacing "reason" with "justification" highlights that it is commonly used as a means to defend or excuse an action or belief.

a primary driver of

This alternative emphasizes that something is a main force or influence that causes something else to happen or develop.

a widespread explanation of

Replacing "reason" with "explanation" and "common" with "widespread" emphasizes that it is a widely accepted account or justification.

a usual suspect in

This alternative is more informal, using "suspect" figuratively to mean a commonly considered cause, often for negative outcomes.

a general basis for

Using "basis" focuses on the fundamental groundwork or support upon which something is founded, with "general" indicating widespread relevance.

FAQs

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

You can use "a common reason for" to introduce a typical cause or explanation. For example, "A common reason for project delays is poor communication." You can replace "reason" with "cause" or "explanation".

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

Some alternatives include "a frequent cause of", "a typical explanation for", or "a primary driver of", depending on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "a common reason for" in formal writing?

Yes, "a common reason for" is suitable for formal writing. However, consider using more precise or technical language if the context requires it.

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

"A common reason for" indicates one of many frequent reasons, while "the main reason for" suggests the single most important or influential reason. They are not interchangeable.