a definite reason

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a definite reason" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want to specify a clear and certain justification for something. Example: "There is a definite reason why we chose this approach over the others."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

"It's a definite reason to keep running," he explains.

The New York Times

It's important to have a definite reason for setting up a festival, and not to assume that you'll necessarily make a profit.

The Guardian

It's not dissimilar in sound to Robin Thicke's Blurred Lines, also produced by Pharrell – but there's a definite reason why that catapulted an artist hitherto unknown outside of R&B circles to No 1 worldwide, and this is destined to remain a deep cut on one of Jay-Z's most unremarkable albums.

The Guardian - Music

Being in New York City, the accessibility to top businesses and recruiters was a definite reason why I chose NYU.

Forbes

"There's a definite reason here why many of these companies aren't getting funded by other firms, " says Jaime Punishill of Forrester Research.

Forbes

A definite reason for the disaster was not agreed upon, partly because there was no public inquiry held.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

Gniew is more controllable, and is therefore easier to suppress (note tłumić 'suppress' Verbs in the collocate table) when compared with złość (no suppress Verbs), and gniew also has a more definite reason (compare Adjectives for złość bezsilny 'powerless', bezrozumny 'unreasonable, irrational, unjustified' with gniew słuszny 'right, rational, justified').

Cognitive Computation

There has, unfortunately, been a very definite reason for these questions to be asked in recent weeks, and let nobody believe that there will be any less hankering after top-down management in a future Europe of nineteen small and medium-sized States and a small group of large and very large ones.

EU Parlament

So far, we do not have any definite reasons that can explain why the aftershock productivity is so different for the April 14 and the April 16 events.

Earth, Planets and Space

In our sample there were 188 antidepressant users with justified antidepressant use of whom 95 (50.5%) with a definite justified reason, and 93 (49.5%) with a possible justified reason: 2 among the respondents with a negative K-10 plus (n = 6085, of whom 506 participated in the study) and 186 among the respondents with a positive K-10 plus (n = 4592, of whom 1023 participated).

Plosone

If there seems to be no definite reason behind your roommate's messiness, suggest a cleaning rotation for the house or flat.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a definite reason", ensure the context provides or implies what that reason is, to maintain clarity and avoid leaving the reader wondering.

Common error

Avoid using "a definite reason" when the actual reason is speculative or based on assumptions. Reserve it for situations where the justification is well-established.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a definite reason" functions as a noun phrase that provides a specific and certain justification. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. It signifies that there is a clear and identifiable cause or explanation for something.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Wiki

33%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a definite reason" is a grammatically sound and usable expression in English, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. While not highly frequent, it serves to highlight a clear and identifiable justification. This phrase can be used in news, scientific writing, and even in informal contexts. To enhance your writing, ensure the reason is either explicitly stated or clearly implied. Related phrases include "a clear motive" or "a specific rationale" to slightly alter the emphasis. When using the phrase, avoid overstating the certainty of the reason if it's based on speculation. Overall, "a definite reason" is a useful phrase when you want to express a clear and certain justification for something.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a clear motive

Replaces 'definite' with 'clear', emphasizing transparency and lack of ambiguity.

a valid justification

Substitutes 'reason' with 'justification', implying moral or legal rightness.

a concrete explanation

Replaces 'definite' with 'concrete' focusing on tangible and specific details.

a specific rationale

Uses 'specific' instead of 'definite', highlighting precision and particularity.

a compelling cause

Changes 'reason' to 'cause', suggesting a strong and persuasive motivation.

a powerful incentive

Replaces 'reason' with 'incentive', focusing on something that motivates action.

a good enough reason

Modifies the intensity implying that the reason is adequate but maybe not optimal.

an understandable explanation

Focuses on making the reason comprehensible, indicating clarity for the listener or reader.

a fundamental principle

Elevates the reason to a basic, underlying truth or belief.

a significant consideration

Highlights the importance of the reason in a decision-making process.

FAQs

How can I use "a definite reason" in a sentence?

Use "a definite reason" to indicate a specific and clear cause or justification. For instance, "There's "a definite reason" why we chose this method instead of others".

What are some alternatives to "a definite reason"?

You can use alternatives such as "a clear motive", "a valid justification", or "a specific rationale" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "a definite reason" or "a clear reason"?

Both "a definite reason" and "a clear reason" are correct. "A definite reason" emphasizes certainty, while "a clear reason" focuses on understandability. The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What is the difference between "a definite reason" and "a possible reason"?

"A definite reason" indicates a known and confirmed cause, while "a possible reason" suggests a potential explanation that is not yet certain.