a fair reason

USAGE SUMMARY

"a fair reason" is a valid and usable phrase in written English.
It is often used when referring to a justifiable explanation for something. For example, "He gave a fair reason for his tardiness."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

That's a fair reason.

The New York Times

"I didn't think that was a fair reason to sack her.

The Guardian - Money

Misconduct can be a "fair reason" for dismissal under employment law.

The Guardian - Money

"On the other hand, I think it's something that our fans disrespect and have a fair reason to.

The New York Times - Sports

In this case the supreme judicial court of the state holds the legislation valid, and that there is a fair reason for the discrimination between the height of buildings in the residential as compared with the commercial districts.

Cornell University

Add in stricter environmental laws and society's increasingly litigious tendencies, and the result is Nimby defined down so that almost any irritant is a fair reason to tie a community in knots.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

Detailed analysis of a convict's personal history may be a fairer reason to refuse parole than similarity to a stereotype.Technology may also sharpen debates about what people want from their justice systems, and what costs they are willing to accept.

The Economist

Although we have a fair understanding of the reasons for this progress, we don't have conclusive evidence for this.

IATSS Research

"Not just for reasons of morality and human rights, although that in itself should be a spur for action, but also because it's simply crazy to exclude huge swathes of humanity, their ingenuity and energy, from solving the myriad of problems we face globally". We would be simply crazy not to do something – that sounds to be a rather fair reason!

Forbes

But the longtime host of the radio program "This American Life" had a pretty fair reason for not knowing.

Huffington Post

As the decision to deny your recognition has been overturned it is clearly a triumph of brawn over fair reason, of wholesale bullying over due process and consensus-based decision making.

HuffPost

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a fair reason", ensure the reason is genuinely justifiable and aligns with commonly accepted standards of fairness. Avoid using it to rationalize actions that could be perceived as biased or unethical.

Common error

Avoid using "a fair reason" as a blanket statement to excuse poor judgment or unethical behavior. Always provide specific details and context to support the assertion that the reason is indeed fair.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a fair reason" functions as a noun phrase, often serving as the subject complement or object of a verb. Ludwig shows that the phrase introduces a justification or explanation that is considered equitable and acceptable. It emphasizes the impartiality and ethical considerations behind a given cause.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a fair reason" serves as a noun phrase denoting a justifiable and equitable explanation. According to Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and suitable for various contexts, from formal discussions to news reports. While relatively uncommon, its usage emphasizes impartiality and adherence to ethical standards. Best practices involve ensuring the reason genuinely aligns with fairness principles and avoiding its overuse as a blanket justification. Related phrases include "a valid justification" and "a legitimate explanation", providing alternative ways to express the concept.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a valid justification

Replaces "reason" with "justification", emphasizing the legitimacy of the explanation.

a reasonable explanation

Focuses on providing a logical and sensible account.

a legitimate explanation

Substitutes "fair reason" with a more formal term for an acceptable explanation.

a reasonable cause

Focuses on the causal aspect, suggesting the reason is logical and sensible.

a justifiable motive

Replaces "reason" with "motive", highlighting the underlying motivation for an action.

an acceptable rationale

Uses "rationale" to denote a set of reasons or a logical basis for a course of action or belief.

a sound argument

Highlights the logical and persuasive nature of the reason.

a plausible excuse

Suggests the reason is believable, although it may still be a justification for something negative.

an understandable ground

Emphasizes that the reason is easily comprehended or sympathetic.

a defensible basis

Implies the reason can be supported or justified against challenge.

FAQs

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

You can use "a fair reason" to introduce a justification for an action or decision, as in "He had "a fair reason" for being late to the meeting, considering the traffic conditions".

What can I say instead of "a fair reason"?

You can use alternatives like "a valid justification", "a legitimate explanation", or "a reasonable cause depending on the context.

Which is correct, "a fair reason" or "a valid reason"?

Both ""a fair reason"" and "a valid reason" are correct and can be used interchangeably in many contexts. The choice often depends on the desired nuance, with "fair" emphasizing impartiality and "valid" emphasizing legitimacy.

What's the difference between "a fair reason" and "a good reason"?

"A fair reason" implies impartiality and adherence to accepted standards of justice or ethics, while "a good reason" simply means the reason is adequate or sufficient. The former carries a stronger connotation of ethical justification.