a small reason

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a small reason" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want to indicate that the reason being referred to is minor or not significant. Example: "There was a small reason for my absence, but I didn't think it was necessary to mention it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

That is true, and a small reason for optimism.

The Economist

Well, a small reason is that the cost of borrowing goes up as your bond rating goes down.

Cornell University

"I'm very impatient, and I actually think that is a small reason why I stutter," Gustafson said.

The New York Times - Sports

Other research also points to big reductions.So roundabouts may be a small reason why America's roads are slowly getting safer.

The Economist

Time is running out for Bashar Assad The German problem A small reason to be cheerful ReprintsMr Weidmann is not a lone ideologue.

The Economist

This is perhaps a small reason for the surge of Liberal Democrat support and the recent online registration of thousands of new voters.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

That's a very small reason to ask for what feels like a very big access point to your personal information.

TechCrunch

That seems a relatively small reason to influence the casting of the film itself, but perhaps Scott is keeping his options open for flashback sequences in a possible sequel?

The Guardian - Film

Here are just a few small reasons... 1.

Huffington Post

There is small reason to congratulate a warden.

The New Yorker

They have all the privacy they want, but in a small company the reason for sick days is going to be discussed with the boss.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a small reason" to introduce a less significant point before transitioning to more compelling arguments. This can create a sense of thoroughness.

Common error

Avoid presenting "a small reason" as the primary justification for something, as this can undermine your argument's credibility. Ensure it's appropriately positioned as a contributing but not dominant factor.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a small reason" functions as a noun phrase that typically serves as a subject complement or an adverbial modifier, specifying a minor or secondary explanation for a particular situation. Ludwig AI indicates that this phrase is grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

68.75%

Academia

12.5%

Science

9.375%

Less common in

Wiki

6.25%

Formal & Business

3.125%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a small reason" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression for indicating a minor or secondary justification. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage, highlighting examples from diverse sources such as news, academia, and science. While versatile, it's important to position "a small reason" appropriately within your writing, avoiding overemphasis and maintaining clarity. Alternatives like "a minor justification" or "an insignificant motive" can provide nuanced variations, enhancing the precision of your expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a minor justification

Replaces "reason" with "justification", emphasizing the act of providing reasons or defenses.

a slight cause

Substitutes "reason" with "cause", highlighting the element that produces an effect, albeit a small one.

a trivial explanation

Uses "explanation" instead of "reason", focusing on making something comprehensible, with the addition of "trivial" suggesting insignificance.

an insignificant motive

Replaces "reason" with "motive", stressing the driving force behind an action, and "insignificant" to denote lack of importance.

a negligible factor

Switches to "factor", emphasizing one of the elements contributing to a result, and "negligible" to indicate it's small.

a minimal consideration

Uses "consideration", highlighting something taken into account, and "minimal" to suggest it's slight.

a faint pretext

Substitutes "reason" with "pretext", implying the reason is used to conceal the real one, and "faint" indicates weakness.

a secondary rationale

Employs "rationale" instead of "reason", focusing on the underlying principles, with "secondary" showing it's not primary.

a slim basis

Replaces "reason" with "basis", emphasizing the foundation or support, and "slim" indicates weakness or smallness.

a weak justification

Uses "justification" instead of "reason", emphasizing the act of providing reasons or defenses, and "weak" indicating lack of strength.

FAQs

What does "a small reason" mean?

The phrase "a small reason" indicates that the reason being given is minor, not very important, or one of several reasons that collectively explain something. It suggests the reason is not the primary or most significant factor.

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

You can use alternatives like "a minor justification", "a slight cause", or "an insignificant motive" to express a similar meaning.

Is it okay to start a sentence with "a small reason"?

Yes, starting a sentence with "a small reason" is grammatically correct, especially when introducing a secondary or less significant point. However, ensure the sentence flows logically and doesn't overemphasize the reason's importance.

How does "a small reason" differ from "the main reason"?

"A small reason" implies the reason is not the most important or significant one, while "the main reason" suggests it is the primary or most influential factor. Using "a small reason" acknowledges other contributing factors.