a distinct reason

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a distinct reason" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want to emphasize that a reason is clear, specific, or different from others. Example: "There is a distinct reason why we chose this approach over the others."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

But would it surprise me if it was more than that, if there was a distinct reason Taylor was sleeping with a machete under his bed?

The Washington Post

"This is a distinct reason to focus on inequality". That finding suggests Trump's tax-cut plans would do little to improve economic mobility for struggling blue-collar families, even if they help accelerate growth, unless they are somehow able to deliver growth that is much more broadly shared by workers of all income levels.

The Washington Post

The pauses in any musical score are there for a distinct reason.

Forbes

Yet, a distinct reason for differences in bacterial foam adhesion could not be determined and should be investigated in further detail.

AMB Express

Dorf and Siegel argue that the Supreme Court need not resolve this issue because the TAIA does not apply for a distinct reason: the present challenges to the ACA do not have "the purpose" of restraining tax assessment or collection.

Duke University

Those in charge are put there by God for a distinct reason, even if we just cannot see it.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

CHICAGO — There is a very distinct reason Michael Jordan is retiring: He couldn't get fired up mentally to go through the marathon grind that is an NBA season.

The Washington Post

Most of this data does not need to be retained at the end of a penetration test, except for a few distinct reasons.

Professional Penetration Testing Creating and Operating a Formal Hacking Lab

Yet, there isn't the same sense of disappointment that accompanied a runner-up finish for the squad last season for one distinct reason.

Los Angeles Times

So a broad range of financial activities might have to be more tightly regulated for this second, distinct, reason.

The New York Times

Yet Rdio has become my go-to music app for one distinct reason: its beautiful design and user interface.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a distinct reason" when you want to emphasize that there is a clear and specific cause or justification, separate from other possible explanations. This strengthens the argument by highlighting a unique point.

Common error

Avoid using "distinct" when the reason is already inherently unique or obvious. For example, saying "a distinct and unique reason" is redundant. Stick to simply "a distinct reason" for clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a distinct reason" functions as a noun phrase. It typically acts as a subject complement or an object in a sentence, providing a specific justification, cause, or explanation. Ludwig AI indicates that it is grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

50%

Academia

17%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a distinct reason" is a grammatically sound and relatively uncommon expression used to emphasize the uniqueness or clarity of a particular cause or justification. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is suitable for various contexts, including news, science, and academia. When writing, it's best used to highlight specific causes and avoid redundancy. Alternatives such as ""a notable reason"" or ""a specific rationale"" can provide similar emphasis depending on the specific meaning needed. While the phrase is considered grammatically correct in all contexts, be sure to maintain an objective tone to ensure credibility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a notable reason

Emphasizes the noteworthiness or importance of the reason.

a separate reason

Highlights that the reason is independent or different from others.

a specific rationale

Replaces "reason" with the more formal "rationale", suggesting a reasoned explanation.

a particular cause

Substitutes "reason" with "cause", focusing on the origin or source of something.

a unique explanation

Emphasizes the singularity or unusual nature of the explanation.

a clear justification

Highlights the clarity and defensibility of the reason.

a compelling motive

Replaces "reason" with "motive", suggesting a driving force or purpose.

an evident justification

Similar to "clear justification" but emphasizes the obviousness of the reason.

a primary consideration

Indicates the reason is a key factor to be taken into account.

a noteworthy incentive

Emphasizes the reason as something that encourages or motivates action.

FAQs

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

You can use "a distinct reason" to emphasize that there's a clear and specific cause. For example, "There is "a distinct reason" why the project was successful: the team's dedication".

What's a good alternative to "a distinct reason"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "a notable reason", "a separate reason", or "a specific rationale".

Is it correct to say "a very distinct reason"?

While grammatically correct, adding "very" might be redundant. Using just ""a distinct reason"" already implies a significant difference. It really depends if you want to emphasize the importance even more.

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

"A distinct reason" emphasizes the separateness or uniqueness of the reason, while "a clear reason" focuses on its understandability. They are related but not perfectly interchangeable.