a grave reason

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a grave reason" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a serious or significant justification for an action or decision. Example: "She decided to cancel the meeting due to a grave reason that required her immediate attention."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Catholic canon law requires priests — "unless there is a grave reason to the contrary" — to take a spiritual retreat each year, and four weeks of vacation.

The New York Times

The resignation came under a code of canon law that allows a bishop to resign before retirement age for a "grave reason" that makes him "unsuitable for the fulfillment of his office".

The New York Times

The Archbishop of St Paul, John Nienstadt, and a deputy bishop, Lee Anthony Piche, offered the Pope their resignations under a code of canon law which lets them step down due to illness or a "grave" reason leaving them unfit for office.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Under previous church law, a bishop can lose his job for any "grave reasons".

Vice

While a bishop can already lose his job under the existing canonical code for any "grave reasons", the Pope said he wanted to specify with the decree that such reasons included instances where bishops fail to tackle abuse cases adequately.

Huffington Post

With the commencement of the ground operation, there is very grave reason to fear that the "pragmatism" that Livni praises on the part of Abbas is not part of her own strategic vocabulary.

Huffington Post

His incredibly grave reasons were the desire to see that a defense contract for a new tanker is awarded to a bidder who will do the assembly work in Alabama.

The New York Times

They cite a 2007 statement from the United States bishops explicitly condoning a vote for a candidate who supports abortion rights if the vote was cast for other "grave" reasons.

The New York Times

Steve Gardner San Diego, Oct. 4, 2008 • To the Editor: Your article refers to the 2007 statement from the United States bishops explicitly condoning a vote for a candidate who supports abortion rights if the vote is cast for other "grave" reasons.

The New York Times

A cardinal can be deprived of his rank for what the Church calls "the most grave reasons;" he may, if he wishes, resign.

The New Yorker

"There may be times when a Catholic who rejects a candidate's unacceptable position may decide to vote for that candidate for other morally grave reasons," the document says.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a grave reason", ensure the context clearly indicates the seriousness or significance of the reason. This phrase implies a weighty or consequential justification.

Common error

Avoid using "a grave reason" when a simple explanation would suffice. Overusing strong language can dilute its impact when truly serious matters arise.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a grave reason" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a preposition (e.g., 'due to a grave reason') or as a subject complement. It indicates the justification behind an action or decision, highlighting the seriousness of the situation as indicated by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Formal & Business

17%

Science

17%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a grave reason" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase in English, denoting a serious or significant justification. Ludwig AI confirms its validity, though its frequency is relatively rare. It's most commonly found in news and media, as well as formal business contexts, indicating a formal to neutral register. When using this phrase, ensure the situation genuinely warrants such a serious explanation to avoid diluting its impact. Alternatives include "a serious cause" or "a compelling justification".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a serious cause

Replaces "grave" with "serious", emphasizing the weighty nature of the reason.

a compelling justification

Substitutes "reason" with "justification" and "grave" with "compelling", highlighting the convincing aspect of the reason.

a significant rationale

Uses "rationale" instead of "reason" and "significant" instead of "grave", conveying the importance of the reasoning.

a weighty consideration

Replaces "reason" with "consideration" and "grave" with "weighty", emphasizing the importance and impact of the reason.

a critical factor

Substitutes the phrase with terminology that indicates the substantial importance of the reason.

a dire necessity

Emphasizes the urgency and importance of the reason.

an overriding concern

Focuses on the dominance and importance of the reason.

a pressing motive

Highlights the urgent and driving nature of the reason.

a paramount ground

Indicates that the reason is of utmost importance and serves as a basis for action.

a crucial explanation

Highlights the critical nature and explanatory power of the reason.

FAQs

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

Use "a grave reason" to describe a significantly serious justification for an action or decision. For example: "The project was halted due to "a grave reason" concerning safety regulations".

What is a synonym for "a grave reason"?

Alternatives to "a grave reason" include "a serious cause", "a compelling justification", or "a significant rationale". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

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

Yes, "a grave reason" is suitable for formal writing when describing a serious and important justification. It is often found in news articles and professional documents.

What distinguishes "a grave reason" from "a good reason"?

"A grave reason" implies a much higher level of seriousness and consequence than "a good reason". Use "a grave reason" only when the situation warrants a severe or critical explanation.