a plausible reason

USAGE SUMMARY

"a plausible reason" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
Example: There must be a plausible reason for why she suddenly stopped talking to me. Did I do something to offend her?.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

There is a plausible reason that Al Gore speaks the way he does.

The New York Times

But Lindsay's examination found a plausible reason to take him off the active roster.

The New York Times

But there is a plausible reason why August might see sharp price movements.

The Economist

And either possibility would be a plausible reason for a conscientious Congress to vote against this war.

The New York Times

Although internal stress is frequently being suggested as a plausible reason for oxide breakdown during valve metal anodising, no direct quantitative evidence has been made available yet.

Electrochimica Acta

A "good reason" might mean a persuasive reason, or it might just mean a plausible reason, and different answers may have made different assumptions about that.

The Washington Post

Some constitutional experts question whether a president would be able to dissolve the government without presenting a plausible reason to do so.

The Guardian

The girl usually has a plausible reason to reject the guy initially: he is a running dog of capitalism, a freeloading slacker or, sometimes, a compulsive womanizer.

The New York Times - Arts

None of his friends could believe that Reeves, a glad-handing, straight-shooting, life-loving guy, had a plausible reason to do away with himself.

The Guardian - Film

But a plausible reason is that many poor Swedish neighbourhoods have been plagued with bad schools, and vouchers meant students were no longer forced to attend them.

The Economist

European rules prohibiting state aid to industries require ministers to cut the lifeline by March, or come up with a plausible reason not to.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To enhance the impact of "a plausible reason", provide supporting evidence or context that strengthens its credibility. Avoid simply stating the reason without offering any justification.

Common error

Avoid presenting "a plausible reason" as a definitive answer or absolute truth. Acknowledge that it is a potential explanation, but other factors may also contribute.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a plausible reason" functions as a noun phrase, where "plausible" modifies the noun "reason". It typically introduces a statement offering a believable or seemingly valid explanation for a particular event, situation, or behavior. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammaticaly correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

35%

News & Media

33%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a plausible reason" is a common and grammatically correct way to introduce a believable explanation, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It is frequently used in news, science, and formal business contexts to provide a seemingly valid cause or justification. When writing, ensure the reason is both credible and relevant, and avoid overstating its certainty. Alternatives such as "a credible explanation" or "a reasonable cause" can be used to convey similar meanings with slight variations in emphasis. By understanding its function, purpose, and common contexts, writers can effectively incorporate "a plausible reason" into their work.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a credible explanation

Focuses more on the believability of the explanation itself.

a believable justification

Highlights the defensibility or support for a particular action or decision.

a reasonable explanation

Emphasizes the logical and rational nature of the explanation.

a sound justification

Highlights a well-founded and robust basis for the justification.

a convincing argument

Focuses on persuading someone of the validity of the reason.

a tenable cause

Suggests the reason is defensible and able to be maintained.

a valid motive

Specifies that the reason stems from an acceptable underlying purpose.

a likely explanation

Shifts the emphasis to the probability of the explanation being true.

an acceptable rationale

Focuses on whether the reasoning behind something is permissible or satisfactory.

a possible ground

Highlights the reason as being a potential basis or foundation.

FAQs

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

You can use "a plausible reason" to introduce an explanation that seems believable or likely, such as, "There's "a plausible reason" why the project was delayed; the team faced unexpected technical challenges."

What are some alternatives to "a plausible reason"?

Some alternatives include "a credible explanation", "a reasonable cause", or "a likely explanation", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What is the difference between "a plausible reason" and "a good reason"?

"A plausible reason" suggests the reason is believable, while "a good reason" implies the reason is morally or practically sound. A reason can be plausible without necessarily being good, and vice versa.

Is it always necessary to provide evidence when stating "a plausible reason"?

While not always mandatory, providing evidence strengthens the credibility of the reason. Without evidence, it remains a mere suggestion, whereas evidence transforms it into a more convincing explanation.