a real reason for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a real reason for" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the justification or explanation behind an action, decision, or situation. Example: "There must be a real reason for her sudden departure from the company."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

27 human-written examples

That moan was always there, even before there was a real reason for it".

The New Yorker

Wilson: I think cautious optimism and a real reason for celebration.

The New Yorker

"It's just a part of the noise that doesn't have a real reason for happening".

The New York Times

So then there's a real reason for you to tap your phone.

MIT Technology Review

Perhaps a real reason for worry this weekend is that pitchers other than C. C. Sabathia will be starting.

The New York Times - Sports

When misfortune strikes she seems to glory in it as though now there was a real reason for being grim.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

33 human-written examples

Don't just touch water and magically become a mermaid without any real reason for being one.

WikiHow

There hadn't been a hint of violence or any real reason for the large police presence but cops kept the crowd cornered off for hours, only letting them leave one-by-one after they'd been physically searched.       .

Vice

"They were motivated by the fact that there was a very real reason for their producing the work and there was a crucial deadline," Blum said.

Huffington Post

This act of betrayal is perhaps a more real reason for O'Brian's reluctance to talk about his early life.

The Guardian - Books

I pressed him for a real reason; I was told that the event was now "only for Mexicans".

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a real reason for", ensure that the context clearly establishes what the reason pertains to, enhancing clarity and avoiding ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "a real reason for" in contexts where the reason is trivial or insignificant, as it can create a mismatch between the phrase's implication of importance and the actual situation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a real reason for" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a noun, adjective, or verb. It indicates a genuine or legitimate justification, motive, or cause. As Ludwig AI states, it expresses a justification or explanation.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Science

20%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a real reason for" is a grammatically correct and commonly used prepositional phrase that serves to emphasize a genuine or legitimate cause or justification. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is suitable for use in various contexts, including news media, science, and general writing. To ensure clarity, always establish what the "reason" pertains to. Avoid using it for trivial matters to prevent overstating the reason's importance. When in doubt, consider alternatives such as "a genuine cause for" or "a legitimate basis for".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a genuine cause for

Replaces "reason" with "cause", emphasizing the origin or basis of something.

a legitimate basis for

Substitutes "reason" with "basis", highlighting the foundation or justification.

a valid justification for

Replaces "reason" with "justification", focusing on the defensible or acceptable nature of something.

a substantive ground for

Uses "ground" instead of "reason", suggesting a solid or considerable basis.

a compelling motive for

Replaces "reason" with "motive", emphasizing the driving force behind an action.

a concrete explanation for

Substitutes "reason" with "explanation", focusing on clarity and understanding.

a tangible incentive for

Replaces "reason" with "incentive", highlighting the motivation or encouragement.

an actual rationale for

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

a bona fide pretext for

Emphasizes the genuineness or good faith behind the stated reason.

a demonstrable necessity for

Highlights the undeniable or evident need for something.

FAQs

How can I use "a real reason for" in a sentence?

You can use "a real reason for" to indicate a genuine cause or justification for something. For example, "There is "a real reason for" concern about the new policy."

What are some alternatives to saying "a real reason for"?

Alternatives include "a genuine cause for", "a legitimate basis for", or "a valid justification for", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it redundant to say "a real reason"?

While "reason" inherently implies a justification, using "real" can emphasize that the reason is genuine and not fabricated or superficial.

What's the difference between "a reason for" and "a real reason for"?

"A reason for" simply indicates that there is an explanation or cause, while "a real reason for" emphasizes the authenticity and importance of that cause.